European Parliament supports continuation of trade liberalisation with Ukraine
On Tuesday, the European Parliament supported the extension of temporary measures to liberalise trade with Ukraine while protecting EU farmers.
This became known following a vote in the European Parliament, where 428 MEPs voted in favour of the decision, while 131 voted against. There were 44 abstentions.
Continuation of trade liberalisation with Ukraine
The draft law passed the first reading after the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a preliminary agreement to suspend import duties and quotas on agricultural products from Ukraine until 5 June 2025. This is Europe’s way of supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale aggression.
– Under the new regulation, the Commission can take swift action and introduce any measures it deems necessary if Ukrainian imports (e.g. of wheat) cause a significant disruption to the EU market or to the markets of one or more EU member states, the Parliament’s website says.
As part of the enhanced measures to protect EU farmers, the Commission may also apply an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, cereals, corn and honey.
At the same time, if imports of these products exceed the average import volumes recorded in the second half of 2021, as well as in 2022 and 2023, tariffs may be re-imposed.
It is noted that as part of the agreement on the new rules, the European Commission promised to start negotiations with Ukraine on permanent trade liberalisation in the near future and keep the European Parliament informed of this process.
– The extension of trade support measures confirms the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. This vote will both strengthen Ukraine’s economic resilience and protect the interests of European farmers. We will keep our promises – we will support Ukraine until its military victory and accession to the EU and NATO,” said Sandra Kalniete, MEP from Latvia, who spoke on the issue.
The EU Council now has to formally approve the regulation. The current trade measures expire on 5 June 2024, and the new regulation should enter into force immediately after that date.
