Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.24
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
EU wants to maintain Ukraine as an important transit country also for the future, said European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic, according to a message on European Commission’s website.
"Ukraine has been a long-standing strategic energy partner for the EU. It has been a reliable transit country for transporting Russian gas to EU countries even during recent turbulent times. We want to maintain Ukraine as an important transit country also for the future,” he said.
Sefcovic and Energy Minister of Ukraine, Ihor Nasalyk, signed a new memorandum of understanding on a strategic energy partnership between the EU and Ukraine Nov.24, said the message.
“The document aims to invigorate energy cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. The new agreement will broaden the cooperation in all areas, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as aim to create more certainty for investors,” according to the message.
Sefcovic pointed out that Ukraine fully supports the Energy Union and wants to be a strategic partner in its implementation.
“It is now time to expand our energy cooperation and attract more investment in all other areas of energy, including renewables and energy efficiency,” he added.
Further, European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete said that the signature of this memorandum of understanding is recognition of the significant reforms Ukraine has undertaken in the gas sector over the past two years
“For Ukrainian citizens to reap the full benefits of a reformed energy sector, it is clear that the reforms will have to continue and be extended to all other areas of the energy sector. The EU will offer its full support in this process,” added Canete.
The Memorandum of Understanding replaces the Memorandum which was signed back in 2005 between the EU and Ukraine on cooperation in the field of energy.