Transcript of IMF Press Briefing
May 23, 2019
MR. RICE: Well, good morning, everyone and welcome to this press briefing on behalf of the International Monetary Fund. I am Gerry Rice of the Communication Department. As usual this morning, our briefing will be embargoed until 10:30 a.m., that's Washington time.
I'm going to make just a few brief announcements, then we will come to our colleagues in the room and take some questions online as usual where many are watching. So, I will be brief with the announcements this morning. Just a couple of things for your information, both related to Managing Director Christine Lagarde.
May 29 to 30, that's next week, the Managing Director will be in Mexico City where she will meet with President Lopez Obrador, finance minister, central bank governor and other government officials. She will also make a major speech at the Mexican Senate. And on May 30 she will participate in a conference organized by the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society. So that’s Madame Lagarde in Mexico next week.
And then following that, June 8 to 9, Madame Lagarde will be in Fukuoka, Japan to participate in this year's G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
And in addition to that G-20 meeting, the Managing Director will deliver a major speech at the G-20 high level seminar on Financial Innovation, Our Future in the Digital Age and that will be on June 8. And these major speeches that I've talked about will of course be open to you and to all media and we can get you that information.
So, Madame Lagarde in Mexico next week and then going on to the G-20 meeting shortly thereafter. And around that G-20 meeting we will as usual have you for the G-20, what we call the G-20 surveillance note, our update on the global economy at that time and we will be sharing that with you in a timely way.
Okay. Thank you very much for your patience. Let's come into the room. Good morning and welcome.
QUESTIONER: Good morning, thank you. Gerry, may I start with the Ukraine? There are a lot of talks or a lot of rumors and thank you very much for this opportunity to gather information from the first source.
Yesterday, Ukrainian media reported according to some government officials that IMF mission is leaving the country. I know that is not true so could you clarify the status of the mission? Will it work two weeks in Kiev as it was planned?
And secondly, I perfectly understand that you never comment on the ongoing talks, but could you tell about the key points for the Ukraine to continue the program? Key reforms, key changes for the new government and new administration. Thank you.
MR. RICE: Yes. Thank you for your question. What I can -- well, maybe just to step back a little bit for those who don’t follow Ukraine just as closely as you do. Just a little bit of context.
