Since the entry into force of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, we have almost 5 years of experience in the development of a DCFTA. During this time, the EU remains the largest and most importantly predictable trading partner of Ukraine with a share of trade in goods amounting to 40.7% of Ukraine's total foreign trade.

"More than 14,000 companies export their products to the EU every year. As of mid-January, 362 Ukrainian companies that produce products of animal origin and are subject to the strictest requirements from the EU have the right to export their products to the European Union," said Ihor Petrashko, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine.

The Government is currently actively implementing reforms in the field of technical regulation, public procurement, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, improving the food safety control system, customs activities, and taking steps to reform intellectual property protection systems.

"Successful implementation of these reforms will remove barriers to trade and provide freer access to the EU internal market for our companies. We can see today that we are ready to go further in our European aspirations," the Minister added.

Significant progress has also been made in preparing Ukraine to accede to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure, the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods, the introduction of the Authorized Economic Operator program, and improving the protection of intellectual property rights at customs in line with the EU rules.

"In the long run, Ukraine is focused on becoming a European logistics and transit hub, a leading production platform and a major supplier of environmentally friendly products to Europe," said Ihor Petrashko.