IMF head urges Ukraine to step up reform effortsFebruary 10, 2016 - 16:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has warned Ukraine it would be unable to keep supporting it financially if the country doesn't step up its reform efforts, the Associated Press reports. Ukraine relies on funding from the IMF and international donors as it battles deep economic problems, in large part resulting from the conflict in the country's east. Lagarde says in a statement "it is hard to see how the IMF-supported program can continue and be successful" without a crackdown on corruption and a new push for governance reforms. Ukraine is still waiting for the IMF to provide an installment of funding that has been delayed since October amid disputes over the budget. Last week, Ukrainian Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius resigned, saying his reform efforts had been blocked by government colleagues. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |