15/03/2024 (Agence Europe) – Meeting on Friday 15 March, the permanent representatives of the Member States to the EU updated the EU Council’s negotiating mandate on the suspension of tariffs on imports from Ukraine (Autonomous Trade Measures or ATM), on the basis of amendments tabled by the Parliament (see EUROPE 13371/30). The EU27 were divided on the issue of automatic safeguards, which they accepted without any amendments. A single trilogue will be held on the evening of Tuesday 19 March to find common ground. According to a senior European official, it is a question of striking a very difficult balance between support for Ukraine, understanding the situation in neighbouring Member States and the demands of farmers across the continent. (IS)