The European Union (EU) and the United States decided to intensify cooperation in promoting energy security in the EU and Ukraine, a statement said Wednesday.

According to a statement from EU-US Energy Council, the two sides are committed to addressing the issue of EU's external energy dependency through a further diversification of supplies, routes and increased energy efficiency.

The Council welcomed the prospect of US liquefied natural gas exports in the future since additional global supplies will benefit Europe and other strategic partners.

The council affirmed its strong support for Ukraine's efforts to diversify its supplies of natural gas including through the rapid enhancement of reverse flow capacities, increased gas storage capacity, and decisive measures recently announced with the IMF to build a competitive energy economy.

Meanwhile, both sides emphasized the importance of internal reform to promote energy security.

The council said they will support the EU's efforts to rapidly complete an integrated, common European energy market to bring the benefit of greater energy security and more competitive energy prices to all member states and neighboring states in the energy community.