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Ihor Zhovkva discusses with European Commissioner for Environment implementation of Peace Formula, responsibility for environmental crimes
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Official website
20 October 2023 - 22:41
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/igor-zhovkva-obgovoriv-iz-yevrokomisarom-z-pitan-ohoroni-dov-86509

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held a meeting with European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.

Ihor Zhovkva expressed gratitude to the European Commission for supporting important decisions for Ukraine during the entire period of resistance to full-scale Russian aggression, primarily in the fields of economy, defense, European integration, and recovery.

The interlocutors exchanged opinions about the extent of environmental damage caused to Ukraine due to the armed conflict on its territory.

The parties discussed the modalities of implementing each of the ten points of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, with particular attention given to countering ecocide in Ukraine and worldwide, which is an integral part of Ukraine’s peace plan. They emphasized the urgent need to hold individuals accountable for environmental crimes.

Additionally, Ihor Zhovkva and Virginijus Sinkevičius delved into Ukraine’s progress on its path to European integration.

They discussed the progress in the implementation of reforms and the synchronization of Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis, particularly in the field of environmental protection and green energy. The deputy head of the Office of the President expressed gratitude to the European Commissioner for his personal support in bringing Ukraine closer to EU environmental standards.

“Ukraine has done everything possible to implement the seven recommendations of the European Commission and expects negotiations for accession to be opened by the end of this year,” Ihor Zhovkva said.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the President of Ukraine, the deputy head of the Office of the President awarded Virginijus Sinkevičius the Order of Merit, II class.