OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2011. The Government of Ukraine is extremely interested to actively solve environmental and social problems, including through investment in priority projects, and then - in cooperation with international organizations First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Andriy Klyuyev said at the meeting with the head of the Global Environment Facility Monique Barbie.

Andrew Klyuyev and Monique Barbie have discussed perspective directions of cooperation in Ukraine. These were projects to clean up the territory of Ukraine of hazardous chemical wastes, including the possibility of building in Ukraine processing plants. First Vice Prime Minister noted that in spite of the complexity of tasks, some opportunities for involvement in this process private investment can give the law on public-private partnership adopted last year.

The meeting participants also agreed on cooperation in projects to ensure Ukraine's population with drinking water. In particular, spoke about problems with water in the Crimea.

Andrew Klyuev and Monique Barbie also emphasized the extreme priority for Ukraine of energy efficiency projects of economy. Among other things discussed the development of renewable energy sources. According to First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine in the next 3 - 4 years, in this area is planned to attract about USD 3 billion of private investment. Andriy Klyuyev said that a significant number of international investors have expressed an active interest in developing appropriate projects just in Ukraine.

First Vice Prime Minister also stressed the importance for Ukraine to solve the problems of Chernobyl. He said that the leadership believes in an international donors' conference that will be held in Kiev in April. We have to as soon as possible to build a new confinement over the destroyed 25 years ago unit of nuclear power station, Andrey Klyuyev said.

According to Monique Barbie in the next 3 years the Global Environment Fond is planning to allocate a series of grants for specific development projects in Ukraine for a total of more than USD 30 million. She expressed confidence that these funds will attract private capital to Ukraine.

In 2011, Ukraine start two projects financed by the Global Environment Fond: stimulation of biomass and other waste agricultural sector in energy (USD 5.2 million for pilot projects), energy saving lights (USD 6,6 million to develop standards and pilot projects). The Global Environment Facility has implemented several projects in Ukraine worth about USD 70 million since 1991.