Proposals are being discussed in the EU which, if adopted, would improve access for Ukrainian exporters to European markets.
EU ambassadors have reached agreement on the Council of Minister’s position on temporary autonomous trade measures in favour of Ukraine and have agreed that they should be adopted swiftly.
The new measures would apply for three years and comprise additional import quotas at zero tariff for certain agricultural products (tariff rate quotas at 0%), plus the partial or full removal of import duties on several industrial products.
By way of safeguard measures, Ukraine will be obliged to respect the same principles as under its existing association agreement with the EU, including respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principle of the rule of law.
For their part, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted to ensure that tomatoes, wheat and urea do not enjoy further quota preferences than those outlined in the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) already in place with Ukraine.
MEPs also want to see the fight against corruption made a condition for granting Ukraine preferential exports, and have called for industry representatives, not just Member States, to be able to request a study on possible measures protecting EU producers.
The EU is Ukraine’s largest trading partner, with Ukrainian exports to the Member States totalling €12.7 billion in 2015. EU exports to Ukraine that year were valued at €13.9 billion.
MEP Jaroslaw Walesa said that, by granting additional temporary trade preferences, the European Parliament wants to support the ongoing reforms, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and provide the necessary impetus for increased trade flows.
“I hope that these measures will boost our relationship and effectively help Ukraine,” he added.
A summit between the two trading partners is scheduled on 12 July 2017.
