You're reading: Ukraine becomes member of Energy Community

Ukraine has become a member of the Energy Community.

Ukraine’s Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko and Macedonian Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi signed a relevant protocol during the 8th meeting of the Energy Community’s Ministerial Council in Skopje, Macedonia, on September 24, the organization’s secretariat told Interfax-Ukraine.

Deputy Director General for Energy at the European Commission Fabrizio Barbaso also participated in the signing ceremony.

"Today’s signing signals our political will to align the principles of Ukrainian energy policy with those of the EU. I expect the Ukrainian parliament to ratify the treaty very quickly, within the coming months," Boiko said.

"Ukraine’s accession is a major milestone in the Energy Community process. It is evident that the geographical reference to the Western Balkans in the Energy Community context is history. Today we witness the deepening of the EU energy policy and the extension of its borders," Besimi said.

"I am impressed by the dynamics of the Energy Community process. Just five years ago nine Contracting Parties signed the treaty establishing the Energy Community. In 2007 Romania and Bulgaria matured from a Contracting Party to a fully fledged EU member. Now in 2010 we are welcoming Moldova and Ukraine as new members of the Energy Community. Today’s signing ceremony adds force to the ultimate objective of creating a pan-European energy market on the grounds of EU principles and rules," Barbaso added.

The Ministerial Council of the Energy Community approved the accession of Ukraine and Moldova in December 2009. The signature of the Accession Protocol was, however, made subject to the adoption of a gas law in compliance with EU relevant rules.

Today’s signature follows the enactment of the new Ukrainian gas law and publication in July 2010. As a next step, the Ukrainian Parliament is now expected to ratify the Treaty establishing the Energy Community as soon as possible.