Government to fight for Ukraine's energy integration with EU - Kuleba

27.01.2020 10:54

Ukrinform

Ukraine's government will fight for a so-called "industrial visa-free regime" and energy integration with the EU at a future meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba has told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

According to Kuleba, the meeting of the Association Council should fix a new level of ambition in relations between the EU and Ukraine.

"We will strive to ensure that progress is made in concluding a so-called 'industrial visa-free regime'. It is necessary, first and foremost, for Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses. This is an opportunity to increase exports. It is necessary for Ukraine," he said.

In addition, he said, "we will work to deepen energy integration so that Ukrainians receive cheaper energy, their households are more energy-efficient, and payments are reduced at the expense of all these changes."

"We will promote integration in the digital sector so that Ukrainians receive quality services in Ukraine and their personal data is securely protected. These are the areas where we are moving," Kuleba added.

The head of the Servant of the People faction in Ukraine's parliament, David Arakhamia, spoke at the Ukraine House Davos about the policy of harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with the EU legislation and creating rules of the game that are advantageous to Ukraine. "These words may not be popular in the European Parliament or anywhere, but we must occupy some unique place until we get stronger and only then we can synchronize [our legislation]," the MP said.

This statement by Arakhamia sparked debate in the media, social networking sites and among opposition politicians over Ukraine's alleged waiver of European integration.

Later, Arakhamia wrote in a Facebook post that he was in favor of the Association Agreement with the EU and maximum integration with its European neighbors, but Ukraine should defend its interests while integrating into the European Union.

Kuleba, in turn, stressed that Ukraine will not abandon European integration. "Ukraine will continue to systematically adapt its legislation to the European one, as the course for EU membership remains unchanged and irreversible," he said.

According to a nationwide survey on the 101st anniversary of the Unity of Ukraine, conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and presented on January 21, 64% of Ukrainians consider their country joining the European Union as the main integration area of Ukraine, whereas over 50% support Ukraine joining NATO as the best option to guarantee national security.