Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection hosted a working meeting with the World Bank delegation

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel with the participation of Deputy Ministers Oleksiy Riabchyn, Iryna Stavchuk, Stanislav Kovalevsky, Roman Abramovsky and Deputy Minister for European Integration Konstiantyn Chyzhyk.

The participants discussed the issues of Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC unbundling, leveraging of investment into the Ukrainian gas transit system and establishment of an independent operator in accordance with European legislation, reform of the coal industry, updating of the State Environmental Inspectorate and more.

Oleksiy Orzhel stressed that among the current achievements is the revised roadmap for reforming of Naftogaz and stepping up efforts to accelerate the reforms. In particular, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in its second reading bill No. 2239-1 on the withdrawal of natural gas transmission activities from the functions of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.

“Ukraine considers its topmost priority to work following the European gas rules. That is why the transportation of natural gas is separated from its production and delivery activities,” the Minister said, adding that the use of Ukraine's GTS for transit of natural gas to the EU guarantees the energy security of Europe and fosters competition in the European gas market.

Moreover, Oleksiy Orzhel drew attention to the importance of developing projects to support energy efficiency.

Representatives of the World Bank, in their turn, supported Ukraine's commitment to implement European legislation, develop energy efficiency and address environmental issues.

The World Banks’ delegation comprised Satu Kahkonen, World Banks’ Country Director for Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine, Dejan Ostojic, Lead Energy Specialist, World Bank; Baher El-Hifnawi, Program Leader for World Bank's Infrastructure and Sustainable Development programs in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine and Claudia Maxymenko, Senior Project Portfolio Manager.