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.
Further information
Adopted text will be available here (click on 1 June)
Re-watch the debate here (click on 1 June)
EP Research - At a glance: Ukraine: Temporary autonomous trade measures (May, 2017)
EU-Ukraine trade relations in a nutshell (by the European Commission)
