Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have discussed by phone a bill on creating an anti-corruption court.

"Petro Poroshenko and Christine Lagarde coordinated approaches to the creation of an anti-corruption court in Ukraine in regard to the president's related initiative and to ensuring the effective operation of anti-corruption institutions," the presidential press service said after the conversation early on Friday.

A statement issued by Lagarde following the conversation with Poroshenko was posted on the IMF website. "We also agreed that the prompt establishment of the anti-corruption court is an essential complement of these efforts. In this regard, I supported the President's agenda for the submission of a draft law to Parliament in the coming days consistent with the Venice Commission's recommendations and past agreements under the IMF-supported program. It will be important that all members of Parliament unite behind the bill and approve it as a matter of priority," the statement said.

Lagarde also said she and Poroshenko had agreed on the need to maintain the independence and enhance the operational capacity of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

"I assured the President that the IMF stands ready to continue to support Ukraine, along with other international partners, in the fight against corruption and encouraged the authorities to accelerate the implementation of reforms that are necessary to further improve the prospects of Ukraine's economy and its people," Lagarde said.