First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yuliya Sviridenko emphasised the importance of this step as part of political support for Ukraine. She noted that despite the sensitivity of the issue of trade in agricultural products, most Ukrainian goods are exported to the EU without any restrictions on the basis of the association agreement. Sviridenko stressed that the EU's independent trade preferences towards Ukraine relate to agricultural products, which have not been fully liberalised under the agreement.
As noted, the EU's free trade preferences also provide that anti-dumping and safeguard measures will not be applied to metallurgical products.
It is important to note that the dramatic change in trade flows between Ukraine and the EU, as well as the increase in trade in certain goods through neighbouring EU Member States, has led to a number of negative decisions, including the closure of the border. In response, Ukraine is working with neighbouring countries and EU institutions to address the problems.
According to Sviridenko, this will be the last time that independent trade preferences will be extended, and by next summer the parties plan to update the association agreement to set out the foreseen terms of trade.
Currently, the EU's share in Ukrainian exports is 65 %, while its share in Ukrainian imports is 51 %. Last year, EU imports from Ukraine totalled €22.8 billion. The new EU-Ukraine trade measures will enter into force on 6 June this year.
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