On 22 July 2009, the Vice President of the United States of America, Joseph Biden met with Iryna Scherbyna, the Director General of the Institute for Budgetary and Socio-Economic Research (IBSER). Iryna Scherbyna was invited as one of the group of ten selected civil society leaders from various sectors. She informed Mr. Biden about Budgetary Institute’s participation in the budget process and its efforts aimed at strengthening the financial base of local self-government, improving the transparency and efficiency of managing the public funds in Ukraine through introduction of Performance Program Budgeting, which had become possible thanks to financial support of the United States provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) The Vice President said in response that he realized the importance of and need for furthering the budget reform in Ukraine, reducing the existing budget deficit, restoring the banking system, and resolving other pressing economic and social issues exacerbated by the crisis.
This special meeting was in accord with Joseph Biden’s keynote speech, where he expressed the intent of the U.S. Government to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts towards strengthening the democratic principles and promoting Ukraine economic growth through further financing of assistance programs.
It was organized within an official visit of Mr. Biden to Ukraine (20-22 July, 2009) as well as within the planned meeting with Ukrainian and American businessmen and politicians, leaders of NGOs and mass media organizations, hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine and held in the Ukrainian House in Kyiv on 22 June 2009.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Biden touched upon many of the pressing issues that exist in Ukraine. In particular, he underlined that Ukraine would have to implement a serious reform of its energy sector in order to reduce dependence on external supplies. According to Biden, Ukraine's economic freedom primarily depends on its energy freedom. "Reform of your energy sector should reduce your dependence on foreign suppliers,” the American Vice President said. Besides, in his opinion, “moving toward market pricing for energy is a brave, but also absolutely necessary step." Biden said Ukraine was using three times as much energy as the EU average. Also, Mr. Biden said the United States-Ukraine Energy Partnership Commission would hold its first meeting in WashingtonD.C., in fall 2009, and assured that the “Reload” of relations between Russia and the United States would have no negative impact on Ukraine.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Biden expressed his concern over the current squabbles between the Ukrainian politicians, as they stand in the way of Ukraine's development, and called on the Ukrainians to learn from history's lessons, since an effective and accountable government is the only way to provide stability and attract investments in the country.
Glyanec