President Petro Poroshenko said this during his working visit to Odesa region on December 28, the press service of the head of state reported.
"The European Union demonstrated unity with us and extended sanctions against the Russian Federation, despite the fact that it is a difficult decision for them. The decision of solidarity with Ukraine, support for Ukraine, and support for our big 45-million nation are a priority for them, because justice and truth are with us. The aggressor has to pay its cost, and this decision was joined by the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia and a great number of allies around the world," he said.
According to him, the main achievement of 2017 was the introduction by the EU countries of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens.
"They started respective Ukrainian passports. From June 11, every Ukrainian who received a biometric passport, without standing in queues, without paying visa fees, without filling in a bunch of papers, which no one needs, can freely travel to the European Union. The Iron Curtain of the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union has been destroyed," he said.
No less significant, according to the president, was the decision on completing the ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU.
Poroshenko said that a significant achievement was the extension of the decentralization program, according to which the budgets of territorial communities had increased sevenfold and their powers had been expanded.
In addition, judicial reform was launched and a new Supreme Court, formed on the basis of a new, transparent principle, began its work. Road infrastructure is developing all over Ukraine as more than 300 kilometers of roads have been built and completely renovated.
"I am confident that the most difficult tests are already behind us. The government should speed up the pace of economic growth, and the president will make some important initiatives to improve the investment climate," he said.
The head of state recalled that Ukraine had risen from 153rd place in the Doing Business rating to 76th. "This is the greatest progress that any country has demonstrated at any time," he said.
At the same time, Poroshenko expressed confidence that this was not enough and the economy should develop quickly in order to ensure the implementation of further reforms.
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