€400 mln energy support fund will help Ukraine overcome winter – European commissioner
19.12.2023 20:53
The Energy Support Fund for Ukraine set up by the European Commission and the EU Energy Community, which has already accumulated 400m euros, will help Ukraine overcome the second consecutive difficult winter under the conditions of Russian aggression.
This was stated by European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson during a press conference in Brussels at the end of the EU Ministerial Council on Energy, Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“Ukraine remains the top priority and focus of my work, especially now, after the important decision of the European Council last week to open negotiations on its accession to the EU. Thank you (Spanish Presidency – ed.) for the opportunity to talk to Minister German Galushchenko, who briefed us on the energy situation in Ukraine, given the winter and the heating season,” the European Commissioner said.
“This is already such a second difficult winter. In order to help Ukraine overcome it, together with the Energy Community we have set up a fund now of more than 400 million euros. As Russian attacks continue this winter, I called on ministers to continue to deliver both in the dimension of equipment and financial aid (for Ukraine),” Simson added.
For her part, Spanish EU Presidency representative Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, Spain’s deputy prime minister and minister for economic development and demographic challenges, said European ministers expressed solidarity with Ukraine and readiness to continue supporting it.
“We listened to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Galushchenko, who informed us about the development of the situation in his country, as well as important events. The ministers were able to express their support and solidarity with Ukraine and their willingness to work with Ukraine in the future. They congratulated Ukraine and took into account the decision taken by the European Council last week to start membership negotiations,” the Spanish government spokeswoman said.Read also: EU countries prepare to stop Russian gas transit through Ukraine – European Commissioner
As Ukrinform previously reported, the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, created at the initiative of the European Commission and the efforts of members of the Energy Community, has already accumulated commitments of partners for more than 400 million euros. The support comes from the EU, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, the USA, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, as well as from private companies that have made their own contributions to the fund.
Photo: sustaineurope.com
Article: https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-economy/3802363-fond-energeticnoi-pidtrimki-u-400-miljoniv-dopomoze-ukraini-podolati-zimu-evrokomisarka.html