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In December 2021, two draft Laws on the Natural Gas Market were registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine\u201d (on state participation in the regulation of the natural gas market) \u2013 \u21166426 and its alternative \u21166426-1.<\/p>\n
In view of Ukraine’s European commitments, an analysis of both draft laws reveals the violations of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the recently approved agreement with the IMF, as the drafts include price restrictions, export bans, and forced sale of natural gas on stock exchanges. Such measures will be critically looked upon by foreign partners and will not promote integration with the natural gas markets of the Energy Community Member States.<\/p>\n
Under the Association Agreement, it is necessary to consult with the European Commission on these draft laws and their compatibility with the provisions of the EU acquis. After all, according to the experts of the European Business Association, the norms stipulated in the drafts will significantly change the operating rules of the sector, have a negative impact on competition in the market, and cancel the positive changes of the natural gas market reform. Consequently, this sector will become unattractive for international investments, which will affect the investment climate of Ukraine as a whole.<\/p>\n
The European Business Association has already appealed to people’s deputies with a request to hold consultations with the European Commission regarding the compatibility of draft laws \u21166426 and \u21166426-1 with the EU acquis following the Association Agreement. The market should not be regulated by manual methods, because this, first, violates the key right that is commonly declared everywhere \u2013 the importance of establishing equal rules for all.<\/p>\n
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