Strengthening relations with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has always been one of the key priorities for Ukraine, stated Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in a statement online during a public discussion "Cooperation with the OECD and new horizons for the Ukrainian anti-corruption agenda" held with the participation of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and the OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. Among those participating in the event were Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, and the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons.

"The enemy rests assured that military actions will endanger our economic development and implementation of reforms. But in response, on the contrary, we intensify our partnership with developed countries and international organizations. Ukraine's status as a candidate for the EU is a clear proof of that," Denys Shmyhal stressed. 

The Prime Minister noted that Ukraine's goal is to gain full membership in both the European Union and the OECD. According to him, the OECD has supported our country for many years on the path of economic transformation and modernization of state institutions and governance.

"Together, we have achieved incredible results in various areas, such as implementation of anti-corruption reform, improvement of the tax system, investments, green economy, entrepreneurship and competition policy, corporate and state governance, education, energy, decentralization, etc. It's time to move on," the Head of Government emphasized. 

The Prime Minister recalled that during the International Lugano Ukraine Recovery Conference, he had submitted to Mathias Cormann an application for Ukraine to become a member of the OECD. In addition, with the political support of the President of Ukraine and on the initiative of the Head of the Office of the President Andri Yermak, on August 2, Ukraine's request to join the OECD Working Group on Bribery.

"Ukraine has already embarked on drafting the post-war reconstruction plan. And we see the OECD as an important partner in the process of our recovery, while joining the Working Group is one of the measures that the Government of Ukraine includes in this recovery plan. After all, we want the reconstruction of Ukraine to be based on reliable international standards and to contribute to global prosperity," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister also welcomed the decision of the OECD Council to establish a regional office in Ukraine and called on representatives of central authorities to provide maximum assistance to the OECD in opening of it.

Mathias Kormann, for his part, noted that the OECD stands side by side with Ukraine and is determined to support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. He emphasized that Ukraine's application to join the OECD, which had been submitted by the Prime Minister in Lugano, is a reflection of the determination to carry out reforms and adhere to EU and OECD standards.