13 May 2016, 16:29
On Friday, First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Heraschenko met with representatives of the diplomatic corps. During the meeting they discussed the reforms in Ukraine, European integration and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
I.Heraschenko stressed that the Ukrainian side is "insisting on the resolution of the conflict in the East of Ukraine in the political-diplomatic way."
The participants exchanged opinions on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and discussed the painful topic of releasing the hostages. I.Heraschenko said that at present, according to data of the Security Service of Ukraine, 114 persons are held by militants and 12 are imprisoned in the Russian Federation. She informed of the efforts made by Ukraine to free the hostages held in the Russian Federation, in particular Nadiya Savchenko, Soloshenko, Afanasyev and others.
In the context of the reforms in Ukraine, I.Heraschenko emphasized on the need to speed up judicial reform among others. According to her words, "with no judicial reform the reform of law enforcement agencies is not possible." "This is an important element of the fight against corruption," she said.
The participants of the meeting discussed a number of humanitarian problems. In particular, the First Deputy Chairperson thanked all member countries of the Group of Seven and the EU for the provided humanitarian assistance, in particular, concerning tackling the problems of IDPs.
The diplomats said they considered positive the creation of a corresponding ministry - the Ministry in change of temporarily occupied territories and IDPs of Ukraine, and assured in the support for reforms in Ukraine.
One more topic of the discussion was the question of prolongation of sanctions against Russia. I.Heraschenko said: "We appreciate the unity of the countries in the matter of their support for Ukraine." "It is very important that this unity be preserved in the context of the position that the sanctions must be continues till all the provisions of the Minsk agreements are implemented," she said.