MEPs in the International Trade Committee approved the extension of trade support to Ukraine and Moldova in the face of the Russian war.
MPs approved on Thursday, by 26 votes, with 10 against and 1 abstention, a proposal to renew the temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from June 6, 2024 until June 5, 2025, in order to support Ukraine in the context of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against the country.
The legislation empowers the Commission to act quickly and impose all necessary measures in the event of significant disruptions in the EU market or in the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports. It also provides an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs and sugar, meaning that if imports of these products exceed the average volumes of 2022 and 2023, customs duties would be reimposed.
Liberalization measures are conditional on Ukraine’s respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and its sustained efforts to combat corruption and organized crime.
Moldova
In a separate vote on Thursday, MEPs agreed that all duties on imports from Moldova should be suspended for another year, by 28 votes to 2 with 6 abstentions.
Citation
Sandra Kalniete (EPP, LV), the rapporteur for the Ukrainian file declared: “As we have just celebrated the second anniversary of the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the proposal is a strong signal of EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its people. The extension of EU trade measures will ensure that Ukraine can continue to export its agricultural products to the EU – a crucial lifeline for the Ukrainian economy. At the same time, the proposal includes strong guarantees ensuring that our farmers will not be overwhelmed by a sudden increase in imports. The Commission may reintroduce customs duties or take any other necessary measures if it finds that imports of specific products are causing market disruption. It is a good balance between continuing our vital support to Ukraine and the necessary protection of our markets.
Next steps
Parliament is expected to vote on its position at first reading during next week’s plenary session. If Parliament adopts its position at first reading, the Council will then formally approve the regulation, which will enter into force after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Background
The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, ensures that Ukrainian companies have enjoyed preferential access to the EU market since 2016. Immediately after the start of the war of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU implemented Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) in June 2022, which allows customs duties. -free access of all Ukrainian products to the EU market. These measures were extended for one year in June 2023 and will expire on June 5, 2024.
On January 31, 2024, the European Commission proposed that import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports be suspended for another year. Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian food production and Black Sea export facilities to undermine the country’s economy and threaten global food security.
Total EU imports from Ukraine amounted to €24.3 billion in the 12 months to October 2023, compared to €24 billion in pre-war 2021. according to the Commission.
Originally published in The European Times.
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