The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko held a working meeting with EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.
The parties discussed current and strategic prospects, in particular, the challenges facing the Ukrainian energy system.
First of all, the First Vice-Speaker informed about the situation that has developed as a result of shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure — power outages, the scale of destruction and destroyed facilities.
"We appreciate the unwavering solidarity of the EU institutions and its member states with our country against the backdrop of russia's ongoing energy terror and support for Ukraine's energy sector," he said.
At the same time, Oleksandr Korniyenko emphasized that ensuring energy security and reliability of supply remains the main focus of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union: "The synchronization of the Ukrainian power system with the European grid in March 2022 is a significant contribution in this regard."
"The situation is difficult, but we are thinking not only about current issues but also about strategic ones. In particular, about other fuels that may be of interest to Ukraine now," said Oleksandr Korniyenko, adding that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recently passed the Law "On Amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine on Customs Clearance of Biomethane," which unblocked exports of biomethane to European markets for Ukrainian producers. "It is important for us to maintain stability with your help," he said.
In addition, the First Vice-Speaker noted that Ukraine is awaiting the final decisions of the European Council on the negotiation framework and the intergovernmental conference. He also expressed his gratitude for the support of the Ukraine Facility program, which will become the basis for the implementation of the EU's financial support program for Ukraine in 2024-2027.
"Special thanks for your support of our Ukraine Facility package. It contains many reforms and steps that will allow Ukraine not just to be a country that just receives aid. We are ready to work. We want to carry out reforms in parallel. And the Parliament's agenda will now also consist of this," said Oleksandr Korniyenko.
In conclusion, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized that the support of the European Union remains critically important: "We count on further solidarity of the EU member states."
The meeting was also attended by members of the Ukrainian Parliament: Andriy Gerus, the Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union, Oleksiy Kucherenko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, Inna Sovsun, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the Provisions of the European Union Acquis, Implementation of Ukraine's International Legal Obligations in the Field of European Integration of the Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, Anna Skorokhod, the Member of the Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, Anatoliy Burmich, the Member of the Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, and the Member of the Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations Yuriy Boyko.