MEPs back further trade concessions to Ukraine, with exceptions
The EU must offer more trade
concessions to Ukraine, with the exception
of a number of agricultural
products.
In a vote amending a Commission proposal, MEPs on Thursday
ensured among other things, that:
tomatoes, wheat, and urea, a raw
material for fertilisers, do not enjoy further
quota preferences than those outlined
in the Deep
and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
(DCFTA),
the fight against corruption becomes a condition for granting
Ukraine preferential exports,
and
industry representatives, not just member
states, may request a study on possible measures
protecting EU producers.
The amendments were backed by
475 votes to 102, with 61 abstentions.
Quote
“By granting additional temporary trade preferences, the European Parliament wants to support
the ongoing reforms, strengthen small and medium
enterprises and provide the necessary
impetus for increased trade flows. I hope that
these measures will boost our
relationship and effectively help Ukraine”, rapporteur Jaroslaw Walesa (EPP, PL) said.
Next steps
Parliament will start negotiations with national governments
soon after the plenary vote.
Quick Facts
The DCFTA, part of
the Association Agreement and provisionally
applied since January 2016, provides for the mutual
opening of markets for goods and
services, but the EU reduces and abolishes duties
faster. In view of Ukraine’s economic difficulties and its efforts
to reform, the EU would offer
additional new trade concessions to Kiev. The EU is Ukraine's largest
trading partner, whereas Ukraine accounts for 0.8% of the EU's total trade.
Ukrainian exports to the EU amounted
to €12.7 billion in 2015, while EU exports to Ukraine were at €13.9 billion
the same year.