OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2014. The President had a meeting with the delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headed by President of the EBRD Suma Chakrabarti.

The President expressed gratitude to the EBRD for the high level of support. "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank are among the biggest investors in Ukraine in today's extremely difficult situation," the President emphasized. The Head of State noted positive experience of involving the EBRD into the process of reforms in Ukraine.

The EBRD President informed on the broadening of the bank's activity in Ukraine, particularly on the increase of resources and mechanisms of cooperation. The number of projects for Ukraine has been doubled. He also underlined the willingness of the EBRD to institute more long-term projects in specific sectors of the Ukrainian economy with the involvement of loan guarantee schemes and instruments for promoting reforms.

President Poroshenko drew attention to the necessity of restoring the Donbas infrastructure and emphasized that the donor conference for Ukraine was planned for the beginning of the year.

President of the EBRD Suma Chakrabarti expressed willingness to assist in the organization of the donor conference emphasizing the importance of holding reforms. "It is important for donors and investors to see the implementation of reforms, the departure from the past and the application of the best practices," he emphasized adding that efficient struggle against corruption and reinforcement of the institutions was essential as well.

The interlocutors paid attention to the banking reform, particularly to the common efforts of Ukraine and the EBRD aimed at building a stable banking system. They agreed on the necessity of legislative change that would prevent financial abuse and introduce transparent rules in the financial market, particularly on the loan services for commercial banks. At the same time, Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus for the EBRD Francis Malige noted the high level of efficient cooperation and mutual understanding with the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine and interaction for the reformation of Ukraine's financial sector.

Also, the parties have discussed the cooperation in energy sphere and long-term financial mechanisms for the modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system. In particular, Managing Director in charge of the energy and natural resources sectors at the EBRD Riccardo Puliti noted special potential of the Ukrainian energy sector in its transit and production components, especially electricity. He stated that Ukraine could become a big regional energy hub.

The President offered the EBRD to consider the opportunity of providing financial support and loans to the energy sector in the transitional period of reformation.

Head of the EBRD in Ukraine Sevki Acuner also informed on the decision to allocate EUR 1.5 million per annum to fund the activity of the Ombudsman's Office responsible for business issues. It is necessary to legislatively settle this issue and decide on the candidacy.

Petro Poroshenko also touched upon the issue of regaining the seat of Ukraine in the Board of Governors of the EBRD that has been lost in 2011 during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych.