OREANDA-NEWS. February 28, 2013. Vice Prime Minister Yuriy Boyko attended the inauguration ceremony of the Ukrainian Energy Forum 4th Annual International Conference organized by the Adam Smith Institute.

In his speech, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine said that Ukraine has ambitious plans to achieve energy independence in the next decade and has a clear vision which steps should be done in this way. In this case, Yuriy Boyko said that Ukraine, like other countries, should be regarded as an integral part of the globalized world in which the arrival of new technologies is one of the major trends in the energy sector.

"The world understands that the traditional power has to get new solutions, new technologies. They should come to the new energy, change it, make cleaner, more reliable, more secure, especially when it comes to the nuclear industry. New trends and research in the nuclear industry give us the possibility to produce smaller, safer reactors.

Other very important point for Ukraine is the coal industry. The main direction of development of the coal industry is the cheapening of coal production. We need new solutions to coal was cheaper. In this context, it is important to attract investment," Yuriy Boyko said.

Vice Prime Minister also noted that the gas market, which is growing in Europe, is the way to cheaper gas and make economic conditions for industry better. This is especially important for Ukraine, which currently receives gas from Russia at a very disadvantageous contract, resulting in a lack of competitiveness of the national economy.

Yuriy Boyko noted that in the context of global trends, Ukraine plans to reduce the volume of energy imports and increase its own production and manufacturing, including alternative and renewable energy sources.

Vice Prime Minister has expressed confidence that in the next decade Ukraine would to reach energy independence.

"We have ambitious plans, and we clearly understand the situation and see the steps needed to be done. I am confident that with the growth of interest to our country, with the growth of the economy, we address these issues and become energy independent in the next decade, as it was determined by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. The Government is working on it", Yuriy Boyko said.

Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine noted that conference is very important, and it shows that more and more investors are interested in the Ukrainian energy sector.