Ostap Semerak and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Ukraine discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in environmental protection sector

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Ukraine Hermine Poppeller. The special emphasis was placed on the state of implementation of the European environmental law.

Ostap Semerak pointed out that for the first time in 25 years, the Government has determined issues pertaining to the environmental protection as the core priorities of the state policy.

In this regard, the Minister stressed the importance of reforming the existing environmental controlling bodies and creating structures that would meet modern requirements and could put into practice the best practices of the European Union in environmental protection sector.

The conversation also involved the prospects of the Ukrainian renewable energy market for Austrian investors. Ostap Semerak noted that Austria has launched a large number of modern technologies projects in this sector that could be of special interest to Ukraine in terms of strengthening its position regarding energy efficiency and energy independence. Moreover, he stressed that the Government is promoting the ease of doing business and urged Austrian investors to invest in "green projects" on the territory of Ukraine.

Hermine Poppeller drew a peculiar attention to problems of the environment in Donbass region.

Ostap Semerak assured that Ukraine has a very important ecological rehabilitation of its own territories that suffered as a result of hostilities. He also expressed the conviction that Austria, as the presiding country in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will continue to uphold the staunchest position of de-escalation of conflicts, the restoration of intergovernmental confidence, which is a key element for the further development and implementation of a sustainable development model in the world.

Moreover, the sides exchanged views on promising areas of international cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Austria, inter alia on environmental issues and the possibility of implementing joint environmental projects.