Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.2
Aygun Badalova - Trend:
Ukraine could become energy exporter, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic said during his working visit in Kyiv on September 2.
In meetings with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Andrii Parubii, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development Hennadii Zubko and Energy Minister Ihor Nasalyk, Sefcovic reiterated the need for Ukraine to continue on the path of reforms, the European Commission said in a message.
He also reconfirmed the readiness of the European Commission to pursue with successful trilateral format of gas talks of the past.
"Further reforms are central for modernising Ukraine's economy, to bring advantages to consumers and enterprises alike, and thereby to unlock the potential for higher standards of living. In this sense, I welcome the decision of the government of Ukraine on the unbundling of Naftogaz. It is now important to implement this decision swiftly and consistently in the months ahead,” Sefcovic said.
“In parallel, Ukraine's potential in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy is huge: Would Ukraine manage to increase its energy efficiency levels to the EU average level, the savings achieved would be greater than the energy consumption of Spain over a whole year. Ukraine could thus even become an exporter of energy," he added.
Sefcovic also noted that the Commission wants to re-launch the successful trilateral format of gas talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the European Commission.
“In the past, this forum has proven its usefulness: it is better for all to sit down together around one table. Russia as an exporter, Ukraine as a transit country and the EU as the main importer share a common interest of predictability. The trilateral format remains the most suitable for discussing gas supplies for the upcoming winter heating season. In this sense, I am also looking forward to meet with Russian authorities in the next weeks," Sefcovic said.