An 8th meeting of Cluster 3 (energy, including nuclear issues, environment, including climate change and civil protection, transport) took place under the Subcommittee on Economic and Other Sectoral Cooperation of the EU-Ukraine Association Committee.
It is the first time that Ukraine participates in the meeting as an EU candidate country. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Energy for European Integration Yaroslav Demchenkov.
The participants focused on the continued process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU, the start of enlargement negotiations, and the launch of the EU Energy Law Cluster. The Ukrainian side emphasized that the Association Agreement remained one of the main instruments for the implementation of European legislation.
Yaroslav Demchenkov thanked the European partners for their solidarity and support in restoring Ukraine’s energy system after russian shelling. He also noted the effectiveness of joint work with the European Commission on the integration of gas and electricity markets.
“Before the outbreak of the full-scale war, we managed to successfully synchronize the Ukrainian energy system with the European one. At the end of June 2022, commercial electricity flows started. Today, it is important for us to maintain an intensified political dialogue with the European side to fully integrate our markets and expand technical capabilities for cross-border electricity trade between Ukraine and the EU,” said Yaroslav Demchenkov.
In the context of Ukraine’s compliance with its international obligations, the official noted the importance of appointing the Supervisory Board of Naftogaz. He also emphasized the need for NPC Ukrenergo to achieve full membership in ENTSO-E and for JSC Market Operator to become a full member of the NEMO Committee.
According to Yaroslav Demchenkov, Ukraine is interested in participating in the existing EU instruments that will promote development of electricity and gas networks in Europe, provide it with affordable energy and, as a result, strengthen the global competitiveness of the EU and Ukraine as a future member of the European Union. Ukraine is also ready to share its gas storage capacities with the EU and join the policy of joint purchases of hydrocarbons.
The Deputy Minister also spoke about green transformation. Despite the war, implementation of the European Green Deal remains on Ukraine’s agenda and will play an important role in implementation of the recovery plan.
Yaroslav Demchenkov said that Ukraine was preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union on a strategic partnership in the field of renewable gases, and the Ministry of Energy was modeling the country’s future sustainable energy sector, which would form the basis of the Energy Strategy until 2050.
“Our priority is clean, safe and sustainable generation, and overcoming energy poverty. Our modeling offers various options that will provide Ukraine with sustainable energy,” emphasized Yaroslav Demchenkov. (Government portal/Business World Magazine)
