On the sidelines of the OSCE Conference on Climate Change, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strilets met with Austrian Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Leonore Gewessler.

Ruslan Strilets thanked the Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler for the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Ukraine and Austria signed in February 2023. Ukrainian experts have already gained new knowledge on industrial pollution prevention, environmental and climate policy in Austria.

The main issues discussed were the water supply to people affected by the russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to Leonore Gewessler, Austria is closely following the events and is supporting Ukraine. The Austrian side has even announced the allocation of EUR 1 million to support nuclear safety in Ukraine.

“Despite the main focus on documenting environmental crimes, Ukraine continues to work on implementing EU standards into Ukrainian legislation. In particular, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources has already completed self-screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU directives,” said Ruslan Strilets.

The Austrian Minister agreed that the work on self-screening was a huge task and praised Ukraine’s efforts.

The parties paid particular attention to the restoration of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and the creation of a scientific hub there.

We continue to work for a sustainable environmental policy!