On 4 March 2026, an educational webinar entitled “EU Energy Policy” was held within the framework of cooperation between the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the INTER PARES project.

The webinar aimed to deepen understanding of the legal foundations and key directions of the European Union’s energy policy, as well as to discuss current challenges and opportunities for Ukraine in the context of European integration and the approximation of national legislation to EU law.

The speakers of the webinar were Saša Butorac, Policy Analyst at the Economic Policies Unit of the European Parliamentary Research Service, and Marianne Maquet, Parliamentary Research Administrator at the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health of the Secretariat of the European Parliament.

During the presentations, the speakers outlined the legal foundations of the European Union’s energy policy, in particular the provisions of Article 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which defines the objectives of EU energy policy. These include ensuring the functioning of the energy market, enhancing the security of energy supply, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, and fostering the interconnection of energy networks.

Particular attention was given to key EU legislative initiatives in the field of energy, including the implementation of the Energy Union Strategy, the “Fit for 55” legislative package, and measures under the REPowerEU plan, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to clean energy.

In addition, participants were introduced to recent EU legislative proposals related to energy security, the development of hydrogen infrastructure, energy efficiency in buildings, and the reform of the electricity market.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the INTER PARES project and to the experts of the European Parliament for their fruitful cooperation and expert support in organising educational activities aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the context of European integration.