Luxembourg, 18/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Implementing the provisional free trade area will require work from Ukraine on its trade restrictions and its investment climate.
Meeting in Luxembourg on 18 October, European trade ministers reviewed trade relations with the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) -ahead of the Vilnius summit on 28-29 November, which is due to lead to the signing of the EU-Ukraine association agreement (including a free trade area) and to the initialling of agreements for free trade areas with Georgia and Moldova.
The trade ministers expressed their support for the signature of the association agreement with Ukraine without prejudice to the political decision to be taken by the foreign affairs ministers on Monday, said the chair of the Council, Rolandas Krisciunas. The ministers also underlined the importance of initialling agreements with Georgia and Moldova. Against this backdrop, the Council described the pressure exerted by Russia on the Eastern Partnership countries as “unacceptable”. “My colleagues have shown the same solidarity concerning the measures against my country”, added Krisciunas.
European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht called Ukraine to order regarding the EU's grievances both on some restrictions to trade and on the worsening of the investment climate in the country (the recycling fee on imported vehicles, Kiev's intention to offer financial incentives for purchasing vehicles produced in Ukraine, and the import quota for coke - see EUROPE 10934). “Ukraine must honour its contract. It's doubtless what is the most important. Once there is a possible signing of the association agreement in Vilnius, the provisional implementation of the free trade area will depend on the settlement of the issues I have mentioned”, De Gucht warned (our translation throughout). (EH/transl.fl)