Singapore's anti-corruption policies can be benchmark for Ukraine: President Poroshenko

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is in Singapore for a two-day working visit, called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on Tuesday (Dec 9).

Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry said the leaders reaffirmed the friendly Singapore-Ukraine ties. They also exchanged views on global developments, including the ongoing tensions in eastern Ukraine.

Singapore's leaders reiterated support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. They also expressed the need for all parties to respect international law, take steps to de-escalate tensions and resolve the conflict peacefully.

During his visit to Singapore, Mr Poroshenko visited the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Addressing academics, diplomats and executives at a public lecture later, Mr Poroshenko said that war and corruption are the two key threats to Ukraine. To tackle corruption, the country has set up a National Anti-Corruption Bureau, which will open on Jan 14 next year.

"We have a political will to fight against corruption, political will from the top, from the president, from the government, from the prime minister, from the judges, from independent rule of law, to demonstrate the most effective way we can go for anti-corruption. I have been told that we have two main dangers - the war against the aggressor and the war against corruption, and in both wars we should be the winner," he said.

He added that Singapore's anti-corruption policies can be a benchmark for Ukraine as it tries to introduce reforms, with both countries having agreed to cooperate in the area of anti-corruption.

Mr Poroshenko also said that a new ceasefire along the front line in eastern Ukraine appeared to be holding, and there have been no shots fired nor soldiers killed during the truce between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

He said he is praying that the ceasefire continues and the door for dialogue is opened.

"Ukraine is a peaceful nation, and one for peace. Ukraine wants to stop the bleeding, but not at the price of giving up our freedom, our democracy, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity, our independence," added Mr Poroshenko.

Mr Poroshenko said that after the crisis in Ukraine, no country in the world can feel secure: "The Ukrainian crisis demonstrate all post-war security systems are not working. The decision of the United Nations Security Council is not effective, because one of the permanent members is the aggressor."

Mr Poroshenko leaves Singapore on Wednesday (Dec 10).