Brussels, 30/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - During her hearing at the European Parliament on Monday 29 September, Commissioner-designate for Trade Cecilia Malmström confirmed the EU's firm position towards Russia on the EU-Ukraine free-trade agreement - Moscow will not be able to amend this agreement (which was ratified by the European and Ukrainian parliaments on 16 September). “If I'm confirmed [as commissioner for trade], I will not allow - and the Commission will not allow - Russia to amend this agreement”, Malmström underlined. “Russia has expressed numerous economic concerns”, she said, but she believed that the 15-month time period that has been planned before the agreement comes into force should enable the differences of opinion to be ironed out.
On 12 September, the European Commission agreed to postpone the provisional implementation of the free-trade agreement provided for in the EU-Ukraine association agreement until 1 January 2016 (see EUROPE 11155). The EU, Russia and Ukraine have 15 months to find the way to respond to Russia's concerns. The unilateral and early opening of the EU to Ukrainian products, which has been in force since 23 April, nevertheless continues in place.
In a recent letter to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Russia's President Vladimir Putin calls on the EU to commit to amending the trade agreement with Ukraine. Putin speaks of “systemic problems” arising from the agreement and asks that it be rewritten. Russia fears the arrival of European products on its market via Ukraine - to the detriment of Russia's national production. In addition, Russia does not believe that Ukraine can benefit from privileged trade conditions both with Russia and with the EU. Moscow has reportedly called for over 2,000 amendments to the agreement.
Speaking through its spokesperson Pia Ahrenkilde on 26 September, the Commission reaffirmed its readiness to discuss the issue but ruled out any negotiation on the content of the agreement, limiting the debate to the ways of applying the agreement. The EU “does not seek any change to the agreement”, said Ahrenkilde, stating that Barroso “will decide what is the best way to respond” to Putin.
On Monday, Russia's ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said he hoped for the Commission's proposals “soon”, which would respond to Russia's concerns on five points - tariffs, standards and technical regulation, veterinary and phytosanitary standards, energy and customs regulations. “I think there is enough time to reach a compromise, but this will not be easy”, Chizhov stated, as quoted by Russian media. (EH)