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09 March 2021, 09:38
Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU meets with Lithuanian Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivis
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the Lithuanian side for its
consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity
and noted that she had high hopes for the visit of Lithuanian President
Gitanas Nauseda to Ukraine on March 18-19.
“Ukrainian-Lithuanian cooperation in the field of energy is aimed at improving energy security, development of the energy sector and integration of Ukraine's energy markets into the EU markets”, — Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said. She informed the Minister that all draft laws, registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including those belonging to the energy sector and falling under Annex XXVII to Chapter 1 of the Association Agreement, were considered by the Committee. The Committee examines them for compliance with the Association Agreement and the EU law and refer them to the Government, as they have to be sent to the European Commission. The European Commission gives its conclusion whether these draft laws are in line with the EU law.
The government has sent 27 energy draft laws to the European Commission and, unfortunately, in 1.5 years it has not received a single opinion from the EC on the compatibility of the drafts with the relevant provisions of the EU acquis.
Chair of the Committee also noted, that Ukraine was concerned about Belarus’ plans for the nuclear power plant. “We, like Lithuania, consider the plans of the Republic of Belarus to start commercial operation of the Belarusian NPP designed and built by Russia to be extremely dangerous and to require condemnation and decisive joint opposition. Moreover, I hope that the Ukrainian Parliament will find the strength to finally pass a law that would reinstate the ban on electricity imports to Ukraine from both Russia and Belarus”, — Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed. She also expressed hope for Lithuania’s support in synchronizing Ukraine’s integrated energy system with the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E), which would allow Ukraine to disconnect from the energy system of Russia and Belarus by 2023. In addition, Ukraine plans to join the NATO Center of Excellence for Energy Security in Vilnius in the near future.
In his turn, Daineus Cravis noted that the synchronization of power systems was a technical and political challenge. He announced the launch of a joint Ukrainian-Lithuanian commission in the field of energy. In the context of the threats posed by the Russian-designed Belarusian nuclear power plant, the Minister informed about Lithuanian legislation prohibiting the purchase of electricity from hazardous sources. Lithuania does not buy Belarusian electricity. 70% of the electricity passing through Lithuania is Belarusian, but Russia sells it as its own to Latvia. Therefore, the parties discussed reducing dependence on Russia, which can use electricity as a tool to put pressure on our countries.
The parties also discussed the useful experience of Lithuania in the use of biomass for heating, which is a very promising area for cooperation between the countries.
In addition, the Minister noted that Lithuania supports Ukraine's fight against the construction of Nord Stream 2, which posed a threat not only to our states, but also to the EU.
“Ukrainian-Lithuanian cooperation in the field of energy is aimed at improving energy security, development of the energy sector and integration of Ukraine's energy markets into the EU markets”, — Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said. She informed the Minister that all draft laws, registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including those belonging to the energy sector and falling under Annex XXVII to Chapter 1 of the Association Agreement, were considered by the Committee. The Committee examines them for compliance with the Association Agreement and the EU law and refer them to the Government, as they have to be sent to the European Commission. The European Commission gives its conclusion whether these draft laws are in line with the EU law.
The government has sent 27 energy draft laws to the European Commission and, unfortunately, in 1.5 years it has not received a single opinion from the EC on the compatibility of the drafts with the relevant provisions of the EU acquis.
Chair of the Committee also noted, that Ukraine was concerned about Belarus’ plans for the nuclear power plant. “We, like Lithuania, consider the plans of the Republic of Belarus to start commercial operation of the Belarusian NPP designed and built by Russia to be extremely dangerous and to require condemnation and decisive joint opposition. Moreover, I hope that the Ukrainian Parliament will find the strength to finally pass a law that would reinstate the ban on electricity imports to Ukraine from both Russia and Belarus”, — Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed. She also expressed hope for Lithuania’s support in synchronizing Ukraine’s integrated energy system with the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E), which would allow Ukraine to disconnect from the energy system of Russia and Belarus by 2023. In addition, Ukraine plans to join the NATO Center of Excellence for Energy Security in Vilnius in the near future.
In his turn, Daineus Cravis noted that the synchronization of power systems was a technical and political challenge. He announced the launch of a joint Ukrainian-Lithuanian commission in the field of energy. In the context of the threats posed by the Russian-designed Belarusian nuclear power plant, the Minister informed about Lithuanian legislation prohibiting the purchase of electricity from hazardous sources. Lithuania does not buy Belarusian electricity. 70% of the electricity passing through Lithuania is Belarusian, but Russia sells it as its own to Latvia. Therefore, the parties discussed reducing dependence on Russia, which can use electricity as a tool to put pressure on our countries.
The parties also discussed the useful experience of Lithuania in the use of biomass for heating, which is a very promising area for cooperation between the countries.
In addition, the Minister noted that Lithuania supports Ukraine's fight against the construction of Nord Stream 2, which posed a threat not only to our states, but also to the EU.