EU to abolish customs duties for certain Ukrainian agri-food products
BRUSSELS. Oct 13 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union on Monday announced its decision on the EU's position in the EU-Ukraine Association Committee as regards the reduction or elimination of customs duties for a variety of Ukrainian agri-food products.
"We are helping Ukraine militarily and financially, but we need to also help them by promoting trade liberalization. Both the EU and Ukraine will benefit from the elimination of customs duties, leading to sustained economic stability, enduring trade relations, and further Ukrainian integration with the [European] Union," Lars Lokke Rassmusen, the foreign minister of Denmark, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, said.
The decision applies to dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and meat preparations, the Council of the EU said in its press release.
"The EU position agreed today will enhance trade flows between the EU and Ukraine, while ensuring that Ukraine's market access is contingent on its gradual alignment with EU production standards on animal welfare, pesticides and veterinary medicines," the press release said.
This position also "takes into account the specific needs of certain EU agricultural sectors by setting up a robust safeguard mechanism that either party can activate in the event of market disruption," it said.
"It also ensures that market access for the most sensitive products, such as sugar, poultry, eggs, wheat, maize and honey, remains more limited and gradual," it said.
Full liberalization will only be considered for certain non-sensitive products such as milk and milk products, it said.
Following the adoption of this decision by the Council of the EU, the EU-Ukraine Association Committee, meeting in trade configuration, will adopt the decision as part of the review process under the EU-Ukraine association agreement.
"The aim of the review process is to expedite and broaden the scope of customs duty elimination in EU-Ukraine trade," the press release.
