Poroshenko discusses reforms with U.S. congress delegation
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met a U.S. Congressional delegation in Ukraine and has discussed the political and economic reforms in the country, according to a post on the president's website.
At the meeting Poroshenko informed the U.S. Congressional delegation of the progress made in the political and economic reform of Ukraine and assured the delegation that the reforms are irreversible.
"In turn, the Congressmen have expressed their comprehensive support to the process of reforms in Ukraine. They have emphasized the importance of reforms, first of all, in the energy sector and in agricultural development, for they are the priority sectors of the economy," reads the post.
Poroshenko thanked the U.S. Congressmen for their strong, lasting and persistent support of Ukraine.
"Dear friends of Ukraine, thank you for everything you've been doing for us for many years. In the course of the last year, this support has become an issue of the survival of Ukraine," the president said.
Poroshenko said that Ukraine was currently fighting for its independence.
"We are in a state of war against barbaric aggression. We are struggling not only for our territorial integrity after the annexation of Crimea. We have centuries of history, 23 years of independence, but the true struggle for independence is taking place now," the president said.
Poroshenko said that the Ukrainian nation is paying a high price for its freedom and independence, and that Ukrainian warriors are demonstrating heroism and courage in defending peace in Europe.
"Every Ukrainian understands that we are struggling for freedom and democracy of the entire European continent and, probably, the entire world," he said.
The president expressed his confidence in victory. "We will win in any case. We are protecting our country, our freedom and democracy, but we can do much better if we closely coordinate our efforts," he said.
The U.S. Congressional delegation is headed by Rodney Frelinghuysen. The delegation consists of Congressmen Pete Visclosky, Kay Granger, Ken Calvert, Marcy Kaptur, John Carter, Steve Womack, Steve Israel and others. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Valeriy Chaly.