BRUSSELS, Dec. 15 - The Energy Community has welcomed the ratification by the Ukrainian parliament of a protocol on Ukraine's accession to the organization.

The Energy Community said in a statement passed to news services in Brussels on Wednesday that the accession process would be finally completed in early 2011.

"We are overwhelmed by the ratification, and we congratulate Ukraine! Today the honorable members of the Verkhovna Rada have sent a very strong signal in favor of the rule of law and integration with the European energy market. There is no doubt that Ukraine's accession positively affects the Energy Community process, giving it new dimensions. The Secretariat [of the Energy Community] will further rely on excellent cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities. And we will work hard to make sure Ukraine gets efficient support in the implementation of its obligations under the Treaty [establishing the Energy Community]," said Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.