Norway and Ukraine step up cooperation in the energy and social sectors: Denys Shmyhal
On 26 March, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Tonje Brenna.
The parties focused on discussing joint humanitarian programmes, in particular those implemented in cooperation with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). Special emphasis was placed on national initiatives to support IDPs, as well as the importance of involving partners in their funding.
"The Government of Ukraine is consistently reforming the social sector to improve the quality and standards of targeted assistance. Our priority is to ensure that everyone who really needs it receives support," said Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister commended Norway's assistance in the energy sector, in particular, its readiness to make a EUR 140 million contribution through the EBRD for the purchase of gas for Ukrainian gas storage facilities.
"After the war, Ukraine, thanks to its gas storage facilities, has an ambition to become a gas safe in Europe, offering European countries a place to store natural gas," the Head of the Ukrainian Government said.
Another important topic of discussion was sanctions against russia. Denys Shmyhal stressed the need to keep increasing pressure on the aggressor to force it to peace, focusing on key areas such as the nuclear industry, the banking system and the shadow fleet.
"An equally important element of pressure is the frozen russian assets. It is essential to find a mechanism for their confiscation and transfer to Ukraine," the Prime Minister said.