Ensuring energy security should remain focus of regional cooperation – Ukrainian PM

KYIV. Nov 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Amid the gas crisis on the European market, ensuring energy security and security of energy supply should remain the focus of regional cooperation, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said.

"Energy security is one of the key priorities of the Ukrainian government, including diversification of energy supply routes, countering Russian gas blackmail and synchronization with the European ENTSO-E network. Ukraine strives to remain a reliable transit country for gas, advocates maintaining transit and concluding a new contract in accordance with European rules," the press service of the government said, quoting Shmyhal after the meeting of Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and Prime Minister of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

According to him, Ukraine has submitted its proposals to strengthen joint energy security with the European Union, in particular, to create the Regional Platform.

"As part of the implementation of this initiative, Ukraine is ready to provide additional transit of gas at a reduced tariff and provide part of its underground gas storage facilities to European companies," he said.

Shmyhal also said that the Associated Trio countries are deeply integrated into the transport networks of the EU.

At the same time, he said that taking into account the constantly growing volumes of trade, urgent issues arise that need to be addressed, in particular, taking into account the development of the situation around Belarus.

The head of the Ukrainian government said that the conclusion of an agreement on road transport, as provided for in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, will resolve the issue of permits, will contribute to the effective implementation of the deep and comprehensive free trade area.

In addition, the prime minister noted the need to strengthen regional cooperation on climate and environmental issues.

"The prime minister also said that the EU should take into account the readiness of the Trio states to implement the Green Deal in the context of the future application of the CBAM tax, which cannot become an obstacle to trade relations between partner states," the press service said.