The European Parliament supported the extension of trade privileges for Moldova. What is the situation with Ukraine?
Kyiv • UNN
The European Parliament has approved the extension of the suspension of import duties and quotas on exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU for another year until June 5, 2025, and extended the suspension of all duties on imports from Moldova until July 24, 2025.
MEPs today approved the restoration of trade liberalization measures for Moldova and made amendments to the proposal regarding Ukraine to strengthen guarantees for EU farmers, UNN reports.
The European Parliament voted by 347 votes "for", 117 "against" and 99 "abstentions" to amend the Commission's proposal to suspend import duties and quotas for Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for one more year, from June 6, 2024 to June 5, 2025. . MEPs returned the report to the Committee on International Trade to start negotiations with the Council.
"The legislation empowers the Commission to take swift action and take any necessary measures if there are significant disruptions to the EU market or the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, including emergency braking for particularly sensitive agricultural products. MEPs voted in favor of the amendments to the Commission's proposal to include more sensitive products and a broader reference date for calculating average volumes," the European Parliament said in a release.
Let's add
In a separate vote on Wednesday, the parliament, with 459 votes in favor, 65 against and 57 abstentions, agreed to suspend all customs duties on imports from Moldova for another year.
"Russia's illegal military aggression against Ukraine has also hit the Republic of Moldova hard, as it relies heavily on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its own exports. Trade liberalization measures have allowed Moldova to redirect part of its trade with the rest of the world through the EU. Most Moldovan exports are already enjoy duty-free access to the EU market in accordance with the Association Agreement," the release states.
What will be the next steps?
As noted in the European Parliament, regarding Moldova, the measures must now be officially approved by the EU governments. The new resolution must enter into force immediately after the expiration of the current resolution. The current suspension ends on June 5, 2024 for Ukraine and July 24, 2024 for Moldova. Regarding Ukraine, MEPs will start negotiations with the Council.
