The authors of the EURACTIV article called for starting negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU with the Energy and Climate cluster, which would be a pragmatic approach to building the bloc.
After all, the green course and energy are cross-cutting issues for a number of sectors, and new members of the bloc must comply with European standards, EURACTIV reports.
It is noted that the roadmap on energy and climate "Green Deal Ukraine: Ukraine on the Road to the EU", published in December 2023, recommends starting formal negotiations with the Green Agenda and Sustainable Development clusters.
However, EURACTIV cited five reasons why energy and climate issues should be prioritized:
- The Green Deal and energy are cross-cutting issues in industry, agriculture, transport, and more. The Green Deal sets the tone for a climate-neutral Europe, and any new member, or close partner, is expected to live up to it;
- Ukraine has certain successes in the energy sector. Thus, the European Commission's report showed a "good" level of preparation in the energy sector. In addition, the "Ukrainian Plan", which describes in detail how Ukraine should use €50 billion in aid, provides for reforming the energy sector;
The authors emphasized the high qualification of Ukrainian technical specialists who, despite the war and systematic shelling, were able to synchronize the electricity system with continental Europe, gradually restore their energy system, join the joint organization of electricity transmission system operators, etc.
- Ukraine urgently needs private investment in energy and infrastructure for recovery, which can be greatly facilitated by successfully completed cluster issues;
- Priority in the field of energy and climate is a bridge between urgent short-term needs (energy security, reconstruction according to the principle "better than before") and the imperative of membership negotiations;
- Closer integration of energy and climate is mutually beneficial. It will facilitate energy trade and reduce its cost.
"However, we should not forget about such challenges as the ETS [emissions trading system], the proper electricity market, inefficient state companies, the achievement of RES or energy efficiency goals: they exist, and such projects as the "Green course of Ukraine" are precisely are called to help find a solution," EURACTIV noted.
The authors emphasized that focusing on agriculture and other areas of the European Union's legal acts (acquis) will not have the same rapid impact as the energy system, which Ukraine has already partially become a part of after synchronization. In addition, a comprehensive focus on energy and climate will also lead to greater efficiency in many other areas.
In their opinion, the start of negotiations from the "Energy and Climate" cluster provides an opportunity that cannot be missed.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strilets declared about "obvious progress" in the implementation of European integration environmental reforms, which in 2023 the European Commission rated at "2" on a five-point scale. Part of the eco-community considers "2" from of the European Commission by insufficient progress, and the other by failure.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strilets is convinced that Ukraine will be able to complete the implementation of most European environmental directives and regulations in 2026.
