Accusations of corruption threaten the consolidation of society in Ukraine, according to Foreign Ministers of France and Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault.

"The Ukrainian economy has experienced an unprecedented decline. The public sector needs urgent reform. Certain individuals have concentrated huge economic power without any anti-monopoly barriers and shamelessly use it for political influence. Serious accusations of overwhelming corruption threaten the consolidation of society. To solve these problems means to remain true to the spirit of the Maidan, which so impressively emerged two years ago," Steinmeier and Ayrault wrote in an opinion article published by Yevropeiska Pravda (eurointegration.com.ua) on Monday.

Yet, in the past two years since the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine has made considerable progress, the two ministers said.

They point out to the reform of Ukraine's energy sector, which limited the "scandalous abuse that existed before." Also, there is a complete renovation of the police along with the recovery of the banking system; a legal framework has been created to fight corruption along with the introduction of the e-procurement system in the state sector.

"But the desired path chosen by people towards deep modernization of the state and society is a long way to go. Therefore it is important not to stop halfway. Reforms should continue for the sake of the future (...) The political leadership in Kyiv – the president and the prime minister, the government and the Verkhovna Rada, the ruling coalition and the opposition, all the parliamentary groups and constitutional institutions – should implement the necessary reforms. The right and necessary, but difficult and sometimes painful course towards the modernization of Ukraine is a matter of paramount political significance for the whole country, for the sake of which all the responsible political and social forces must work together," the article writes.

At the moment, the minister said, prerequisites should be created for the continuation of cooperation between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund to achieve macro-economic stability.

"The Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the European Union, which was launched at the beginning of 2016, may become a decisive engine of reform and modernization, provided that it is resolutely and consistently implemented. The decentralization of the state and management can bring state administration close to the needs of citizens, make it more efficient and transparent," the two ministers noted.

They stressed that France, Germany, the EU and other international partners of Ukraine are ready to help it on the way of modernization of the state, society and the economy.

Steinmeier and Ayrault are scheduled to visit Ukraine on February 22-23. During the visit they will hold talks with this country's leaders.