On July 23, during a working trip of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to Brussels, he has had a meeting with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans.

The parties discussed the importance of implementing the New Green Deal, which aims to achieve a climate-neutral economy, as well as the need to participate in this process as many partner countries as possible, including Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that Ukraine’s course towards European integration is inevitable and that is why the Government is engaged in vigorous activities to join the EU Green Deal. At that, the Prime Minister stressed that in the coming years it is critical to maintain a balance among the economy, social development and the environment, as well as to avoid the creation of a new carbon border in Europe.

"We are committed to contributing to the joint efforts to create a climate-neutral European continent, as well as to shape and implement policies that take into account environmental and climate challenges, sustainable financing and a fair transformation of key areas of the economy. Meanwhile, it is important that when shaping EU policies, they take into account the countries that have assumed commitments under the Association Agreements and the Energy Community Treaty," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

Apart from that, the top officials tackled the possibility of Ukraine's accession to the EU initiative for coal regions in transition. The main goal of this initiative is to use international experience in the fair transformation of Ukrainian coal regions.

The Head of Government noted that such a fair transformation process is of paramount importance, as it is connected with the preservation and development of a large number of Ukrainian mono-cities. According to the Prime Minister, the transformation should diversify the economy of the regions so that people can get a decent job and provide for their families.

"We are working to ensure that our international partners join the process of fair transformation of Ukraine's coal regions, both with financing and expert support. In May, we were talking with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the possible use of the German expertise in this process. We hope and are working to involve our partners from the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank into the relevant process," summed up Denys Shmyhal.