Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strilets and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu discussed cooperation in the field of green investment development and Ukraine’s involvement in the Sevilla Process.

In particular, the Minister thanked the Ambassador for Spain’s assistance in implementing 5 green investment projects in 2009, which helped Ukraine reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 800 tonnes annually.

The parties agreed on further steps to establish closer cooperation between Ukraine and Spain in this area.

“The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources is interested in joining the work within the Sevilla Process. Indeed, becoming a part of the Sevilla Process means exchanging experience and best practices in the implementation of EU Directive 75, studying the procedures for drafting BATs, and implementing an integrated environmental permit. In fact, our team has already begun this process, so far at the level of a listener,” Ruslan Strilets emphasized.

Ukraine’s participation in the Sevilla process will make a significant step towards the development of a quality industrial pollution policy and encourage business entities to implement the best available technologies and management practices.

The parties also discussed future art projects that would show the world the environmental consequences of russia’s terrorist actions in Ukraine.

“I am grateful to Spain for supporting Ukraine in our European integration aspirations! I am confident that there are many joint projects ahead between our countries, especially in the area of environmental protection,” the Minister emphasized.