On Wednesday, at its session, the Government plans to consider a draft decision of the Association Council between Ukraine and the EU on amendments and additions to Annex XXVII (energy) to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Moreover, the Government has to submit to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law "On ratification of the decision of the Association Council between Ukraine and the EU on amendments and additions to Annex XXVII to the Association Agreement between Ukraine, on the one hand, and the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community and their member-states from the other side".

Ratification of the amendments and additions to Annex XXVII to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU will open up for Ukraine the possibility of deeper legal and infrastructural integration in the energy sector, which is one of the four areas currently identified as priorities on the way of the rapprochement of our state with the European Union. It should be noted that, in addition to energy, those priorities include a digital market, customs cooperation, as well as justice, freedom and security.

Under the document, Ukraine undertakes to hold consultations with the European Commission on compatibility with the provisions of the EU Acquis Communautaire (EU law - ed.) of any legislative proposal in the field of energy. In addition, Ukraine refrains from enacting laws earlier than the European Commission completes assessing the compatibility of the bill with the relevant provisions of the EU acquis and in case that the European Commission has come to the conclusion that the bill does not meet the requirements of the EU.

The amendments and supplements to the annex provide for not only the commitment of Ukraine in the field of energy but also the obligations of the EU side.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the update of the energy annex to the Agreement will be a powerful impetus for further reform of the energy market of Ukraine and its entry into a single energy market of the European Union. "This is an effective tool preventing the decisions that would harm the interests of the state and citizens. As it is about transparent tariff formation, and about the best quality of services for every citizen. In simple words, we commit not to accept anything that contradicts the rules and procedures of the EU. This is a real European integration, which will be tangible for both business and people", said the Deputy Prime Minister.