
EU expresses readiness to finance Energy Efficiency Fund - an agreement of Prime Minister of Ukraine and Vice-President of the European Commission
The European
Union pledges readiness to provide funding for the established Energy
Efficiency Fund of Ukraine as one of the key instruments to promote energy
conservation, energy modernization and energy independence, and expects it to
become a reliable platform for attracting investors. This was agreed upon by
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Vice-President of the European
Commission for Energy Union Maroš
Šefčovič during a meeting.
"We are planning to grant 100 million euros (for the Energy Efficiency Fund) during two years, but our essential objective is to create a platform that would have high confidence of foreign partners", said Maroš Šefčovič.
In turn, Prime
Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman stressed that the Government of Ukraine
deeply appreciates the European Commission's support for the Fund. "We are
interested in obtaining a targeted financial assistance from the EU, in
particular, for energy efficiency projects. It really should be an efficient platform,
which we will fill with resource", the Head of Government said.
In this context,
he stressed that the launch of the Energy Efficiency Fund would be conducted in
close coordination with the state subsidy programs and monetization programs.
During the
negotiations, the parties discussed the progress of reforms in Ukraine,
primarily in the energy sector and in reforming state energy companies. The
Head of Government informed that the Government had approved the Energy
Strategy of Ukraine for the period up to 2035 designed to ensure the formation
of the gas market, unbundling of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, and to promote
diversification of energy sources and ways of delivery, etc.
The interlocutors
also considered the tools to intensify trade relations between Ukraine and the
European Union.
"Every time
we meet, we have an opportunity to congratulate your Government on success in
reform process. We can enhance such cooperation", said Maroš Šefčovič.
During the talks,
the parties agreed to continue the dialogue on energy cooperation during the
meeting of the Association Council scheduled for December this year in
Brussels.