You're reading: Poroshenko, Soros meet in Kyiv, agree to continue dialogue at Davos Forum

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations George Soros met in Kyiv on Jan. 13, and agreed to continue their dialogue at the World Economic Forum in Davos, held later this January.

President Poroshenko thanked Soros for supporting Ukraine, and in particular for urging the international community to increase its level of support for Ukraine, the presidential press service said.

The parties also discussed international tools and opportunities to boost economic assistance for Ukraine. In this context, Soros underlined the substantial role of the European Union and the importance of finding additional instruments for the EU to help Ukraine. At the same time, Soros emphasized that Ukraine must demonstrate its commitment to reform. “You have to show that a new Ukraine is different from the old one,” he said.

“Ukraine is struggling to protect not only itself, but also Europe. Thus, Europe should help Ukraine implement reforms necessary for the country,” he said. Soros also noted that he hopes that Ukraine will succeed in the implementation of necessary changes, and praised the first legislative steps towards deregulation and judicial reform.

Poroshenko in turn said that the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the transparent appointment of its director are measures that will demonstrate the readiness of Ukraine to overcome corruption.

The parties also agreed that the National Council of Reforms was the proper platform for discussing legislative initiatives and instruments by which reform is introduced.

Poroshenko and Soros agreed to continue their dialogue at the World Economic Forum, which will be held in Davos at the end of January, the press service said.