THE HAGUE, March 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Leaders of the countries making up the Group of Seven - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. - have pledged the firmness of their “support for the people of Ukraine who seek to restore unity” and have make it clear at the same time that the International Monetary Fund will play “a central role leading the international efforts to support Ukrainian reform, lessening Ukraine’s economic vulnerabilities, and better integrating the country as a market economy in the multilateral system.”
The statement the G7 leaders issued Monday night upon the end of an informal summit in The Hague applauds what they describe “the Ukrainian government’s ambitious reform agenda” and pledges their backing to implementation “as Ukraine seeks to start a new chapter in its history, grounded on a broad-based constitutional reform, free and fair presidential election in May, promotion of human rights and respect for national minorities.”
“We strongly support the IMF’s work with the Ukrainian authorities and urge them to reach a rapid conclusion,” the seven countries’ leaders say. “IMF support will be critical in unlocking additional assistance from the World Bank, other international financial institutions, the EU, and bilateral sources.”
“We remain united in our commitment to provide strong financial backing to Ukraine, to co-ordinate our technical assistance, and to provide assistance in other areas, including measures to enhance trade and strengthen energy security,” the G7 says.