On Friday
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman had a meeting with Vice-President
of the European Commission for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič. The parties tackled further cooperation
between Ukraine and the EU in the energy policy, in particular reforming the
energy domain and the establishment of a National Energy Efficiency Fund in
Ukraine.
The Prime
Minister and the Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union
assured of the readiness to complete work and to sign in the near future a new
Memorandum of understanding on cooperation in energy sector.
Volodymyr
Groysman announced that the Government is finalizing work on the Energy Strategy
of Ukraine. Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič welcomed the intention of the
Government to complete the relevant Energy Strategy and expressed the EU's commitment
to support this activity.
The PM
informed that there had been submitted a package of bills to the Verkhovna Rada that should be approved,
in particular on the national regulator and the electricity market. The Government
determined these acts a priority and expects the Parliament from the first day
of the new session will adopt the aforesaid legislation, said the Prime
Minister.
The parties
discussed opportunities of support by the European Union for Ukraine in the
establishment of the National Energy Efficiency Fund, in particular in terms of
development of necessary legislation.
Volodymyr
Groysman reminded that on 1 July the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had adopted
a Resolution “On unbundling of operations for transportation and storage
(injection, withdrawal) of natural gas”, thereby approving the restructuring
plan of the NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine aimed to
separate the activities of transportation and storage of gas. Maroš Šefčovič
commended initial steps taken by the Government to reform the corporate system
of management of the NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.
The PM
urged to join forces with the EU in the modernization and using opportunities
of the transit potential of Ukraine.
Vice-President
of the European Commission stressed that Ukraine has significant potential to
be an exporter of energy. The parties agreed to cooperate closely in the elaboration
of crucial laws and energy efficiency measures.
The interlocutors
agreed to combine the efforts of Ukraine and the European Commission to conduct
all necessary procedures to obtain a US$ 500 billion loan from the World Bank
for Ukraine.
The parties
also raised an issue of preparation for the upcoming autumn-winter period. The Vice-President
of the European Commission welcomed the Government's decision to pump up into
underground storage facilities of Ukraine by 3 billion cubic meters of gas more
than planned.
