The European Union, along with Ukraine, is already discussing the ways of solving the problem of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Minister Councellor of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Torsten Wöllert said.
“The decision on the solution of the carbon tax problem has not been made. Now this is still a subject of discussions. How are such decisions made in the EU? This is a very lengthy process. There is always a dialogue of stakeholders. Now this is being discussed with the EU countries, and in the EU Parliament, and with business. What is new? So this is what this policy is already being discussed with Ukraine. Ukraine is the first EU partner, which is non-member, where there is such a dialogue and it is discussed,” Wöllert said at the discussion “EU Green Deal: Impact on Ukraine, its Business,” organized by the Interfax-Ukraine agency and its Energy Reform special project on Nov. 12.
It is not yet clear what will be the equitable solution to CO2 emissions, Wöllert said.
“It may be a tax, or it may be related to trade quotas. We do not know yet. Now experts are working on different options. And only next year the solution from the EU will be proposed,” he said.
According to the Minister Councellor, Ukrainian business can also enter into communication with the European one and explain its point of view and its solutions to the problem.
In terms of Green Deal, the goal of which, according to him, is not only the modernization of production, but also the climate neutrality of Europe by 2050, Wöllert said this policy was formed with the vision that Europe is not only the European Union, it is a continent.
He positively assessed the agreements reached at the Ukraine-EU summit in Brussels on the start of a full-fledged dialogue. “We see that this is already starting to work. Now these are some informational events, negotiations,” he said.
In this regard, Wöllert said that negotiations on the possible participation of Ukraine in the Battery Alliance will be held in the near future.
“Directly with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, who is responsible for these issues, we are preparing a meeting between Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. We agree to substantively develop an action plan, but not a bureaucratic document,” Wöllert said.
At the same time, he said the difference between the strategies adopted and implemented over the past 30 years in Ukraine is too great. “So, we do not want this. However, we really want to find priority areas of development and work,” the Minister Councellor of the EU Delegation to Ukraine said.
In his opinion, the most difficult thing for Ukraine is to think 30 years ahead.
