The suspension of tariffs on products from Ukraine continues to raise debate in European institutions. On Tuesday, 19 March, negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU Council met in the evening in order to attempt to reach agreement on the regulation extending the suspension of tariffs for another year (see EUROPE 13370/14). Discussions had not yet started by the time we went to press.
The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU was hoping for an agreement as early as this first ‘trilogue’, but according to two European sources, it was looking like negotiations were going to be difficult.
Ukraine’s neighbouring countries—which have been complaining about excessive imports of cereals, honey, poultry, eggs, and sugar for several months—look on the changes advocated by MEPs with a favourable eye. Even though [these countries] were joined by France, [the group] does not constitute the qualified majority needed to accede to the European Parliament’s demands.
On the other hand, several Member States supporting the European Commission’s proposal said that they were prepared to be flexible to a certain degree—but not to the extent that they would match MEPs’ demands exactly.
Questioned by Agence Europe, Bernd Lange (S&D, German), chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, said that he had mixed feelings about the amendments adopted by his colleagues: “Personally, I have my doubts as to whether this is the best response to this situation”. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)