Sweden committed to help Ukraine financially in three key areas Kyiv, April 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Sweden is ready to provide Ukraine long-term financial support if the latter achieves success in reforms and strengthens democracy, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Hillevi Engström said. The government of Sweden will make a long-term commitment to continue to provide substantial support to Ukraine. Our support will focus on three key result areas, she said at a briefing in Kyiv. The key areas include strengthened democracy, greater respect for human rights and a more fully developed state under the rule of law; a better environment, reduced climate impact and enhanced resilience to environmental impact and climate change; and enhanced economic integration with the EU and development of a market economy, the Swedish minister said. Engström said that Sweden together with Ukraine could achieve concrete results, such as a a reduction in gender-based violence, hate crimes and human trafficking. We would also like to see our cooperation resulting in that women and men have, to a greater extent, the same power to shape society and their own lives. Womens participation in decision-making processes is essential to building and sustaining a true democracy. I was amazed to hear that events at Maidan showed many brave young women taking the lead in building a new country alongside men, she said. Regarding the second aforementioned area, Sweden would like to continue the focus on more sustainable public services in areas such as water and waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, for the benefit of the whole society. The last area of reform sought by Sweden foresees small and medium-sized enterprises to make up a greater share of the economy. Support to small and medium-sized enterprises is an important part of efforts to promote a favourable business climate, strengthened competitiveness as well as to increase employment, particularly in rural areas and among young people, the minister said.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 16:03:18 +0000
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