Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Vice President of the European Commission for the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic met in Kyiv on Friday to discuss energy cooperation prospects.
“The president stressed that the integration of Ukraine’s energy system into the European one was also an important element of the national strategy. The Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU opens new opportunities for energy cooperation,” the presidential press service reported.
“We are open for this cooperation and I think that the interaction will be very efficient,” Poroshenko said.
The Ukrainian president stressed the importance of introducing a visa-free regime for Ukrainians by the EU. “I think that the new parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers will accelerate the given process. The people of Ukraine who have passed an extremely difficult and important test for democracy and European values will be able to travel without visas,” Poroshenko noted.
Sefcovic in turn said that it was a great honor for him to arrive to Ukraine right after his appointment to the post of Vice President of the European Commission for the Energy Union. “It will be symbolic to clearly demonstrate that I will continue the policy of energy cooperation pursued by my predecessor Mr. Oettinger,” he said.
“The EU and international financial institutions are ready to start further cooperation with a new Ukrainian government as soon as possible,” he added.
Sefcovic reassured that the EU was willing to discuss the integration in the framework of the European Energy Union. He informed that during his fruitful negotiations with government officials and businessmen in Kyiv, he had discussed the ways for the EU to help attract the investments and create conditions for Ukraine’s integration into the European energy system.
