Shmyhal, Timmermans discuss environmental initiatives

"On July 23, during a working visit to Brussels, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans. Both parties discussed the importance of implementing the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve a climate neutral economy, as well as the need for the participation of as many partner countries as possible, including Ukraine, in this process," the report reads.

Shmyhal noted that Ukraine's course towards European integration remains unchanged and that is why the government is actively working to join the European Green Deal. At the same time, he said that in the coming years it will be important to maintain a balance between the economy, social development and the environment, as well as to avoid the creation of a new "carbon border" in Europe.

"We are ready to contribute to the joint efforts to create a climate neutral European continent and to formulate and implement policies that take into account environmental and climate challenges, sustainable financing and a fair transformation of key areas of the economy. At the same time, it is important that when formulating EU policies, they take into account the countries that have undertaken commitments under the Association Agreements and the Energy Community Treaty," Shmyhal said.

In addition, the parties discussed the possibility of Ukraine's accession to the EU Platform for Coal Regions in Transition. The main goal of this initiative is to use international experience in the fair transformation of Ukrainian coal regions.

Shmyhal noted that such a fair transformation is extremely important as it is connected with the preservation and development of a large number of Ukrainian monotowns. According to him, the transformation should diversify the economy of the regions so that people can get a decent job and provide for their families.

"We are working to ensure that our international partners join the process of the fair transformation of Ukraine's coal regions, both financially and expertly. In May, we spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the possible use of German experience in this process," Shmyhal added.

He expressed hope that Ukraine's partners from the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank would join the process.

Shmyhal is on his first official visit to Brussels on July 23.

op