国际英语新闻:Peace in eastern Ukraine is top priority for Kiev in 2016: Ukrainian President

KIEV, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday outlined his government's work agenda for this year, saying that the settlement of the conflict in eastern regions remains an issue of paramount importance.

"The top priority for us is ensuring peace and returning Ukraine to the Donbas," said Poroshenko at a televised press conference. He emphasized that Kiev is committed to resolving the conflict in Lugansk and Donetsk, two regions in eastern Ukraine, solely through diplomatic means as prescribed in the Minsk ceasefire agreement.

"Once again, I want to reaffirm our strong commitment for the full implementation of the Minsk agreement by all parties involved," Poroshenko stressed.

In the government work agenda for the new year, Poroshenko also stressed implementation of the decentralization, taxation, judicial and healthcare reforms and intensification of the fight against corruption.

Reducing the inflation rate, achieving economic growth and attracting investment are Ukraine's main economic goals too for this year.

In the meantime, Kiev will follow its course towards deeper integration with the European Union (EU), launched in 2014, said the Ukrainian president.

Ukraine is planning to enhance its energy cooperation with the EU, making great efforts to harmonize its legislation with the European norms and get a visa-free regime with the 28-member bloc, and speeding up the implementation of a free trade area between the sides, which went into effect on Jan. 1.