On 18 December 2015 the IMF issued a statement expressing concern that discussions in the Ukrainian parliament had effectively rejected the government proposals for a new tax code and the 2016 budget. The IMF emphasized its view that is important to approve the budget that aims to reduce the deficit to 3.7% of GDP. The IMF also considers that it is also important to support the budget with structural reforms to remove tax exemptions and broaden the tax base, and to streamline government spending.