Natalie Jaresko: «Political unity, political leadership, and civil society are the main components of the success of Ukraine as a state»

The main components of the success of Ukraine as a state are political unity, political leadership, and civil society. It was stated by the Minister of Finance of Ukraine (2014-2016) Natalie Jaresko during the 5^th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

«The success of the transformation of this country would not be possible without the enormous political unity, the great political leadership and civil society which will encourage reforms constantly and systematically», - Natalie Jaresko said.

At the same time, she believes that Ukraine has already made a significant progress in the reforming of the state.

«Today representatives of the foreign media, think tanks, experts talking with me on Ukrainian reforms, often ask me whether the glass half-full or half empty concerning this issue. As a lot of people now get uptight that the process of reforms does not go as it should, is incomplete and it is unknown when it will be implemented. But I say that the glass is more than half-full. And it is so not because we have completed more than half of our reforms, and that the reforms that have been conducted over the last three years, is so significant, visible, and that civil society is so included in this process is that the next generation can be sure that this glass is completely full»,- Natalie Jaresko said.

«Over the past three years, we have managed to change the budget and energy policy, to increase the transparency of public institutions significantly, to carry out the decentralization. The role of the civil society increased significantly. After the Revolution of Dignity the civil society left, it did not go home. And now it will never surrender», - said the Former Minister of Finance.

Speaking on reforms, Natalie Jaresko separately underlined positive changes that are currently taking place in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

«Three years ago, when military aggression began against Ukraine, the Ukrainian army was only so called, it was not prepared, was not equipped, was not ready to fight. But today the Ukrainian army is among the strongest armies in the world and which is being allocated substantial funds. While president Trump criticizes European colleagues from NATO for not spending on defense required 2% of GDP we spend on it 5%. And it allows us to raise the Armed Forces not only quantitative but also qualitative that enhances the security and defense of our country», - Natalie Jaresko said.  

FOR INFORMATION:

Youth Kyiv Security Forum is a platform for discussion by young experts of current issues of international relations and foreign policy of Ukraine. The aim of the forum is strengthening the role of the new generation of experts, enhancing their abilities to participate in the process of policy analysis and development.

Organizer of the Forum is the open Ukraine Foundation.