The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, A. Yatseniuk, considers that Ukraine/EU co-operation in the field of Power Engineering has proved most successful.
He reported on this on Tuesday, during his meeting with Andris Piebalgs, European Energy Commissar, held within the framework of his one-day working visit to Brussels (The Kingdom of Belgium).
The parties discussed the matters of EU/Ukraine co-operation in the field of Power Engineering, and in particular the recognition of the Memorandum on the supply of electricity.
When commenting on the outcome of the meeting to journalists, A. Piebalgs expressed his satisfaction in Ukraine as a reliable transiting partner, and stressed its considerable potential as an exporter of electric power. According to the European Commissar, ‘Ukraine has an excellent potential in this field´. This is the goal to which we aspire, but several more steps are needed to make this achievable´.
Discussed during the meeting, said A. Piebalgs, were those issues related to Ukraine´s accession to The Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE).
A. Yatseniuk called the export of electric power ‘one of the components of Ukraine´s economic growth´, and ‘a key element of Ukraine/EU cooperation. It will take a long time. However, attaining high standards and becoming a full member of this organisation is very important for the Ukrainian energy sector´, said the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Also discussed at the meeting was the issue of gas supplies to Europe. A. Yatseniuk emphasised that he would not linger on the Ukrainian aspect, but would refer to the scope of The European Commission and the EU.
‘We have mentioned many times the need for a Joint Energy Policy, of which Ukraine can and must become a fully fledged partner´, stressed A. Yatseniuk. He feels that the Ukrainian energy market requires a systematic approach. ‘Ukrainian resources should be systemized, starting from pricing in the home market, and ending with the organisation of this market in terms of distribution of various resources over internal networks.´
A. Yatseniuk stressed that all foreign investments must provide equal access to the Ukrainian market, subject to State control thereof.
The Parties also discussed other aspects of co-operation between Ukraine and the EU. The European Energy Commissar noted that, ‘now Ukraine has completed negotiations for its entry into The WTO, new opportunities are opening up, connected with the new Enhanced Agreements and Agreement on the realisation of a Free Trade Area.´
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada reported that A. Piebalgs has accepted an invitation to attend a Conference on Energy Safety, to be held in Ukraine in May.