The 24th Permanent High Level Group Meeting of the Energy Community was held in Vienna, Austria on 23 March 2012.

Within the framework of regional energy strategy development of the Energy Community, the Ukrainian delegation delivered a presentation on the Ukrainian gas transportation system functioning and its importance in the context of security of energy supply of the Region and raised the issue to grant the project of modernization of the Ukrainian gas transportation system with “the Project of European Significance" status.

Commissioner Oettinger met with the Minister of Energy and Coal of Ukraine, Mr Yuriy Boyko, on 22nd March 2012 to review bilateral energy relations and to sign the 6th Joint EU-Ukraine Report on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Co-operation during 2011.

Ukraine continues implementing reforms in energy sector, in particular within the framework of its membership in the European Energy Community.
On 15-16 March 2012 a regular Mission of the Energy Community Secretariat took place in Ukraine. The main purpose was defined to hold consultations with the executive authorities of Ukraine on further development of the European acquis in the framework of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community.

The final report of the “Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community” is now available on-line. The overall objective of the Study is to support governments in their efforts to meet their commitments under the Energy Community Treaty. To this end, the study call for the efficient use of energy in buildings, as well as the implementation of the NEEAPs with respect to buildings sector.

Energy Community Secretariat is planning to officially submit a report on Ukraine's implementation of commitments taken under the Energy Community membership this year in September.

Today this was announced to “Ukrainian Energy” by the Deputy Director and Head of Legal Department of Energy Community Secretariat Mr. Dirk Bushle.

"The report most likely will be presented in September," - he said.

He said that Ukraine lacks the necessary reforms in the energy sector, which is essential for investors, committed government in many matters and true partnership with the Energy Community.

On 24th September 2010 Ukraine signed the Protocol on the Accession to the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community. Since 1st February 2011 Ukraine has become a full-fledged member of the Energy Community. As a Contracting Party to the Energy Community Treaty Ukraine has to implement the European Union acquis in electricity, gas, environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

During all this period Ukraine has actively been performing the activities on harmonising its energy legislation with requirements of the EU energy acquis:

13 January 2012 Energy Commissioner Oettinger spoke to Ukrainian Energy Minister Boyko regarding the ongoing discussions between Ukraine and Russia on the question of gas pricing and transit. Minister Boko reassured Commissioner Oettinger that the outcome of these discussions would ensure uninterrupted supplies of Russian gas to the EU.

EU ministers meeting in the Energy Council last week have called for the extension of the Energy Community Treaty beyond 2016.

Welcoming the “the progress concerning the integration of the Energy Community with the EU, in particular the accession of the Republic of Moldova and of Ukraine, as well as Armenia's observer status in the Energy Community”, the Council conclusions on strengthening the external dimension of the EU energy policy.