Today, September 9, the Ukrainian delegation composed of the Minister of Energy and the Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel, the Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrayiny Andrii Kobolev, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry for European Integration Natalia Boyko and the Chairman of the Office of the National Investment Council under the President of Ukraine Yulia Kovaliv held a meeting with Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič and Deputy Director-General at DG Energy of the European Commission Klaus-Dieter Borchardt.

The Ukrainian side presented a new agreed model of separation of the GTS operator and discussed with the European Commission representatives the steps Ukraine plans to undertake to timely complete the unbundling process.

“We are grateful to Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič for the fruitful meeting and support for reforms in Ukraine. We have to make up for time lost in the previous two years. The Government and Naftogaz are committed to exert every effort to create a truly independent GTS operator in the coming months in full compliance with the requirements of European law”, said Oleksiy Orzhel, commenting on the results of the meeting.

The Minister also confirmed the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the trilateral talks between the European Commission, Ukraine and Russia on 19 September.

“We greatly appreciate Maroš Šefčovič's efforts to organize the next round of tripartite negotiations. We are confident that thanks to the mediation of the European Commission, a constructive solution will be found and that will fully comply with European law. I will lead the Ukrainian delegation, our team is already actively preparing”, added Minister of Energy and the Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel.