The country is moving towards integration into the European internal market. Fruitful cooperation with European partners continues for transformation and reforms in our state, which has the ambitious goal of being ready to join the European Union in a maximum of two years. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized this in his speech before the regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The head of the government added that the other day the European Union and Ukraine extended the transport visa-free regime for another year, i.e. until June 30, 2024.
“This means that Ukrainian carriers will no longer need permits for bilateral and transit transportation to EU countries. During its validity, the transport agreement proved its effectiveness. The volume of cargo transportation and the number of carriers increased by more than 50%.
Transport visa-free is an integral part of our integration with the EU. These are opportunities for more Ukrainian entrepreneurs to enter European markets. This is part of building an export-oriented economy in Ukraine.
Visa-free transportation contributes to the successful modernization of logistics in the western direction. We are integrating into the European transport network TEN-T. We are continuing the implementation of the “Paths of Solidarity” initiative to increase the export of Ukrainian agricultural products,” the communications department of the Cabinet Secretariat quotes Denis Shmygal as saying.
The Prime Minister added that the energy visa-free period with the EU turned one a few days ago.
“At a critical moment for Ukraine, when the Russian aggressor was advancing on all fronts, we quickly synchronized with the European energy grid ENTSO-E. Our country has become part of the energy space of the united Europe. We thwarted the enemy’s plans to destroy the Ukrainian energy industry, gained access to the European energy market, and filled the budget through the export of electricity in the summer. And during the period of intense missile terror, on the contrary, Europe helped us — we imported electricity from the EU.
All this made us stronger and more resilient. Together with the European Union, we won the battle for light and heat. Now we produce enough electricity to cover consumption, and promptly eliminate problems with distribution networks that were damaged by the enemy,” noted Denys Shmyhal, thanking Ukrainian energy workers for this year of heroism, and European partners for a reliable shoulder of support.
The head of the government reminded that the main tasks for this year in the energy sector will be the restoration and protection of energy facilities, decentralization of the energy system, further strengthening of integration with the European energy space, and increase in import and export opportunities.
“We have the support of the EU at all stages. Already now, thanks to the European Commission, we are implementing a program to exchange old incandescent lamps for LED lamps. We are also waiting for the first batch of solar panels, which will contribute to the diversification of our generation. This week, during a meeting with the delegation of the Secretariat of the Energy Community, it was agreed on the participation of the organization in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian energy industry. The signed memorandum envisages support for priority projects of construction and reconstruction of the energy infrastructure of Ukraine,” he said.
Last year, Ukraine also received an economic visa waiver from the EU. Denys Shmyhal emphasized that now we have an important signal from the European Commission regarding its extension.
“The Council of Ministers of Economy and Finance of the EU proposed to extend the suspension of import duties, quotas and trade protection measures on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year. In 2022, Ukrainian exports to Europe amounted to almost 28 billion dollars. More than half of our foreign trade is now focused on the European market. Therefore, the extension of the economic visa-free regime, which we are working on, is a significant support for Ukrainian business and an important step for the recovery of our economy,” said the head of the government.
The Prime Minister emphasized that now Ukraine, together with its partners, is making efforts to continue the grain initiative. According to him, since the beginning of this initiative, our country managed to export more than 24 million tons of food. And under the conditions of unblocking the Black Sea sea routes, we will be able to export twice as much.
“Ukraine is one of the key links of global food security. Therefore, we insist that the grain agreement be open-ended and automatically extended for 120 days. Turkey and the United Nations follow a similar position. Attempts by the Russian aggressor to shorten the extension of the grain agreement are a manipulation for further blackmail and fomenting a global food crisis. We have to prevent this,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized
The government is betting on the support of the private sector so that the country’s economy grows again. Deregulation is becoming one of the key reforms in the economic sector.
“The Interagency Working Group on Deregulation created by the government is successfully reviewing regulatory instruments and removing barriers,” says the Premier.
The Cabinet of Ministers canceled certain regulatory acts in the fields of intellectual property, waste disposal, and biofuel production.
“This will enable businesses to work more efficiently and spend less time on unnecessary bureaucracy,” Denys Shmyhal commented on this decision.
The government also approved the Procedure for providing services by career advisors and consultants for work with employers. This is part of a major reform of the State Employment Service. There are 146,000 registered unemployed people in Ukraine, and the government’s task is to help them find employment.
