On Monday, September 5, the 8th meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council took place in Brussels, at which the bloc promised to take the main role in the green reconstruction of the country after the war.
At the meeting, the EU confirmed its strong commitment to the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be aimed at the rapid development of green, climate-resistant and digital transitions, reports Government portal.
The meeting was co-chaired by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Vice President and High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy Josep Borrell.
The Association Council emphasized the need to achieve the Green transition of Ukraine within the framework of reconstruction efforts. Both sides welcomed the completion of the process of developing the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU regarding renewable gases.
The Association Council welcomed the steps Ukraine has already taken, including reforms in the fight against corruption and fraud, money laundering and the rule of law, and called on Ukraine to make further efforts in these areas. After all, support for reconstruction will be connected with the implementation of reforms to ensure the rule of law, stable democratic institutions, reducing the influence of oligarchs, strengthening anti-corruption measures in line with Ukraine's European path, and the further process of bringing legislation into line with EU legislation.
The Council of the Association also congratulated the successful synchronization of the electricity grid of Ukraine with the continental European grid. The parties noted the beginning of the commercial exchange of electricity between Ukraine and the EU, and also welcomed the beginning of a gradual increase in electricity trade on equal terms and compatible standards of environmental protection and safety.
The participants of the meeting emphasized the need to reduce dependence on Russian minerals, nuclear fuel and technologies. Ukraine and the EU agreed to continue close cooperation to coordinate gas supply security and increase resilience in the face of possible supply disruptions.
"The Council of the Association condemned the Russian military control over the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and called for the immediate withdrawal and demilitarization of the facility, as well as the transfer of full control over the plant to the legal operator and the Ukrainian authorities to ensure nuclear safety and security," the article says.
The Council of the Association also emphasized its support for the efforts of the IAEA and emphasized the need for the ZNPP to remain an integral part of the Ukrainian energy system.
In addition, the Council of the Association welcomed the signing of the agreement on the accession of Ukraine to the LIFE Program to solve the problems of climate change and the environment, in particular air, soil and water pollution, preservation of biodiversity using modern solutions.
The EU also noted the restoration of Ukraine's chairmanship in the EU Strategy for the Danube region.
The article noted that the EU called on Ukraine to participate and fully use the international dimension of the Erasmus+ program. The Association Council welcomed the entry into force of the Association Agreement with Ukraine with the Creative Europe Program and the Horizon Europe and EURATOM research and training programs.
The Council of the Association will decide on further steps towards Ukraine's accession to the EU as soon as all the conditions specified in the Commission's conclusion on Ukraine's application for membership are fully fulfilled, stressing that Ukraine's progress on the path to the EU will depend on its own merits. The European Union will also support Ukraine's European integration efforts.
Earlier, EcoPolitic worte, that the head of the Ministry of Environment, Ruslan Strilets, said that despite the war, one of the priorities of the Ministry of Environment is adaptation of national environmental legislation to EU requirements.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, the ecocommittee approved 78 proposals to the draft agenda of the next 8th session of the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation.
