Ukraine, Montenegro agree upon permit-free freight transportation

MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Ukraine and Montenegro have agreed upon permit-free freight transportation, which will take effect starting June 1, 2024, Ukrainian media have reported with reference to the Restoration Ministry on Friday.

"Our goal is to make sure that there are no countries in Europe where we transport cargo based on a permit system and that our transport companies can deliver goods to any country without any extra restrictions. That's why we've worked consistently on liberalizing freight transportation with other countries," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Restoration Minister Alexander Kubrakov said.

Ukraine and Montenegro signed an automobile transportation agreement more than ten years ago, and trade between the two countries has grown sevenfold since then, Kubrakov said. "This shows that liberalization of freight transportation is relevant and will benefit both countries," he said.

The agreement on liberalizing freight transportation was signed based on negotiations between the Ukrainian Restoration Ministry and the Montenegrin Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry.

The Restoration Ministry is also working on developing scheduled and chartered bus services between the two countries, it said.

The statement also quoted Deputy Restoration Minister Sergei Derkach as saying that it was important to secure the issuance of permits for chartered services as well as launch scheduled ones. He announced the launching of a first scheduled service from Kiev to Budva soon.

The two ministries also agreed that, if no Montenegrin passenger operator wishes to provide bus services to Ukraine, a Ukrainian company would be allowed to provide such services on its own.

Ukrainian companies can now ship cargo without special permits to 36 countries, including EU member states.