United States welcomes Ukraine's commitment to important reforms – State Department
The United States welcomes Ukraine's achievements over the past year, Director of the U.S. Department of State's Press Office Jeff Rathke has said at a press briefing.
"The current government remains committed to advancing important reforms, despite ongoing violence in eastern Ukraine. These steps include last year's free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections, the signing of an association agreement with the European Union, and a focus on anti-corruption efforts, including this week's move by Ukraine's parliament to increase the independence of the judiciary," he said.
"These are critically important steps to help the country move forward, and we congratulate the people of Ukraine on how far they have come in such a short time, especially on this significant anniversary. And we continue to stand with them as they press forward on critical reforms," he added.
The statement relates to the anniversary of the passing by the former Ukrainian parliament of tough laws on January 16, 2014, in response to the 'Euromaidan' mass rallies.
"It is one year to the day since Ukraine's former government passed the so-called Black Thursday laws, draconian laws that denied the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech. Ukraine has come an enormous distance since then to meet its people's aspirations," Rathke said.
