Ukraine interested in Germany’s experience in restructuring coal regions - Shmyhal

"In October last year, a Ukrainian delegation visited the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it had an opportunity to get acquainted with the mine closure process and restructuring of coal regions. I hope that we will be able to have certain projects soon," Shmyhal said, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Government portal.

He stressed that Ukraine is interested in exchanging experience with German partners in the field of restructuring of coal regions and transformation into energy efficient districts.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed issues of strengthening interregional cooperation, in particular in the exchange of experience in decentralization.

Shmyhal reminded that enhanced interregional cooperation between Ukraine and the federal state began in 1996, when the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia signed an Agreement on regional cooperation in the economic sphere.

"We have a number of twinning cities in Ukraine and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This is important from the point of view of effective implementation of decentralization and local self-government reform in Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.

In turn, André Kuper noted that the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is ready to share experience with Ukraine on the issue of restructuring coal regions.

As reported by Ukrinform, on March 17, a government delegation led by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal left for Germany to take part in the 4th German-Ukrainian Business Forum.

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