EU ready to help Ukraine with coal industry reform

The European Union is ready to support Ukraine in reforming the coal industry.

“The EU Delegation to Ukraine has expressed its readiness to support Ukraine in carrying out the coal industry reform. This was discussed during the first meeting of Acting Energy Minister Olha Buslavets with Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas,” the press service of the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine informs.

As noted, Buslavets told about the beginning of the Ministry's work on the concept of reforming the industry and noted that the strategic global task was to transform it and determine the future of state-owned coal mining enterprises.

“The most sensitive issue is the reform of coal mines in single-industry towns whose population is completely dependent on their work. We must put people's interests first and ensure the country's energy security. We want to use the experience of European and other countries that have managed to successfully solve similar problems," the press service quotes the acting minister as saying.

According to Buslavets, negotiations on support in this issue from Germany, the World Bank, and other international partners are currently underway.

Matti Maasikas assured the Ministry's representatives that the EU Delegation was ready to meet, discuss pressing issues, and provide support to Ukraine in the successful implementation of the reform.

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