The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed the development of cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy and the transformation of the coal regions of Ukraine with the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany Peter Altmaier. The meeting took place on March 19, as part of a working visit of the Ukrainian Government team to Germany.

Denys Shmyhal thanked German partners for the high level of cooperation within the new energy partnership and noted that it will contribute to the development of a green course in Ukraine.

"By sharing the values of the European Green Deal, we are taking steps towards the energy independence of the economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, phasing out fossil fuels and reducing carbon intensity. The generating capacities are being modernized, favorable market conditions are being created for the further development of renewable energy sources," the Prime Minister said.

Moreover, the Head of Government commended the successful holding of the "Ukrainian-German Energy Day" last year. According to him, this event allowed government officials, experts and entrepreneurs of Ukraine and Germany to see new prospects for bilateral cooperation.

"We intend to move closer to climate neutrality and improve energy efficiency. We are finalizing the development of a new, more ambitious Nationally-Determined Contributions and creating an Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate until 2030," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Head of Government thanked the German partners who were helping to prepare this important document and added that Ukraine was also initiating the development of a new Energy Strategy until 2050, which would take into account new challenges and policy goals, including those within the framework of the European Green Deal.

In addition, Denys Shmyhal assured Peter Altmaier that the Government of Ukraine stands ready to fully support the work of the Federal Government Commissioner for Structural Change in the Ukrainian Coal-Mining Regions Stanislaw Tillich.

"Germany's experience in the fair transformation of coal regions is especially valuable for Ukraine. We decided to create a single concept of reforming the coal industry and the transformation of coal regions. We are planning to solve the problematic issues of the coal industry and with the support of Germany to launch at least 2 pilot projects for the transformation of coal regions this year," the Prime Minister stressed.

The Prime Minister added that the Energy Partnership Secretariat had been launched in February 2021 and Ukraine expects to launch the Multipartner Fund as soon as possible and implement pilot projects for the transformation of coal regions.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed issues of trade and economic cooperation. According to Denys Shmyhal, Germany ranks first among Ukraine's trading partners in the European Union.

"I believe that, in particular, the results of the fourth Ukrainian-German Economic Forum, which is taking place today in Berlin, will facilitate the further intensification of trade and economic cooperation," the Prime Minister stressed.

Finally, Denys Shmyhal thanked the German side for the constant growth of volumes of technical assistance provided by the Government of Germany to Ukraine, as well as for the consistent support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.