Ukraine and N. Macedonia agree to broaden free trade area

MOSCOW. Oct 6 (Interfax) - Ukraine and North Macedonia have agreed to expand their free trade area, Ukraine's media said, citing Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.

"Today, as part of a visit to the Czech Republic to participate in the first session of the European Political Community, we met with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski. During the meeting, an updated appendix to the Free Trade Agreement was signed, integrating the Ukrainian and North Macedonian markets with the markets of the EU, Turkey, Moldova, Georgia, Norway, Switzerland and Israel through the Pan-Euro-Med common system of rules of origin," Shmygal said on social media.

The agreement will help reduce prices for Macedonia goods, which serve as raw materials for recycling businesses, he said.

"This is the main advantage for Ukraine's industry, because from now on Ukrainian manufacturers can use components products in North Macedonia in products that will be sold in the EU," he said.

Furthermore, the agreement liberalizes agrarian tariffs.

"Ukraine will gain access to the market for animal products and finished products, which will contribute to the growth of the export of Ukrainian agricultural products," the prime minister said.