Olha Stefanishyna: Jointly with the EU we will form a new vision of “green” transformation of Ukraine

The Government of Ukraine and the European Commission will join forces to form an updated vision of Ukraine’s “green” agenda. This was discussed on January 9 during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans.

The parties discussed deepening of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of “green” transformation, consequences of the full-scale war of russia, and restoration of Ukraine.

“By February 24, a lot has been done to start the “green” transformation of Ukraine. We have formed an ambitious nationally determined contribution of Ukraine to the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce harmful emissions. It was a product of consensus between all players. One of our greatest achievements, in my opinion, was the high level of business readiness for Ukraine’s implementation of policies within the European Green Deal. russia’s full-scale aggression caused a devastating blow to the Ukrainian economy. Today we are in a completely different situation, particularly when it comes to achieving climate goals,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The participants of the meeting discussed plans for the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine. Thus, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans noted that the EU would pay considerable attention to climate and environmental policies and standards of the EU in the process of reconstruction, and stressed the readiness of the European Union to provide Ukraine with comprehensive support.

In turn, Olha Stefanishyna stressed that it was important to start working together to develop an appropriate vision and a mechanism of “green” recovery without delay.

“It is important for us to continue to be an active partner of the EU in achieving the global goal of climate neutrality. Given the scale of destruction inside the country, today we need to rethink our entire “green” agenda and jointly form a new vision of the policy of “green” transformation of Ukraine,” she said.

The Executive Vice-President noted that the EU paid great attention to the development of cooperation with Ukraine, as it was in the interests of both parties: Ukraine is essential for achieving Europe’s climate goals.

Olha Stefanishyna also underlined the need to attract additional instruments, in particular financial ones, from the EU, which would help Ukraine to undertake such transformations as soon as possible, even before the start of the post-war reconstruction process.

“Business remains a key player in the “green” transformation of Ukraine. Therefore, it is important to form a common understanding with the business community on the way forward. Unfortunately, today Ukrainian business is fighting for survival and needs support. The updated vision of Ukraine’s “green” agenda will also help us in preparing for the negotiations on EU membership, given the large amount of legislation that Ukraine has to implement,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

At the end of the meeting Olha Stefanishyna thanked Frans Timmermans for his support of Ukraine, in particular for his personal active position and efforts to toughen the EU sanctions pressure on russia.