The European Union supports Ukraine in transformation of coal regions

Minister Counselor of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Torsten Wöllert said that the European Union is ready to help Ukraine transform coal regions, Energoreforma reports.

“We will try to ensure the structural changes in coal regions are included in the European green course. Since such a transformation is an important topic not only for the Ukrainian-German partnership but also an important component of the "green" course,” he said.

According to him, within the framework of assistance to Ukraine, the European Commission soon, in particular, plans to come up with an initiative to support the coal regions of Ukraine and the Western Balkans, which consisted in the examination of transformation projects.

"The purpose of this is for the region to receive a certain expertise and, on its basis, to carry out certain pilot projects," said the EU representative, adding: "This is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Polish partners."

Wöllert said he hoped to see the start of the first transformation projects soon.

To recap, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine has prepared a draft Concept for reforming the coal industry, based on the prospects of coal mining enterprises and the need to solve several problems accumulated in the industry.

Earlier it was reported that at least 15 state-owned mines would be closed in Ukraine.