On Tuesday 28 January, ten Member States proposed actions to support the gradual integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the Single Market. The Czech Republic presented a ‘non-paper’ containing proposals along these lines to the European Affairs Ministers of the EU27 at the General Affairs Council meeting.
Nine other countries have indicated their support for the document: Germany, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden.
They propose a list of actions to prepare for the enlargement of the EU to include Ukraine and Moldova and their entry into the Single Market. The measures focus on the following sectors: energy, transport, telecommunications, digital services, market surveillance, European standards, environment and agriculture.
Gradual integration is crucial, as it “offers early access to selected areas of the Single Market before a full membership”. This is already the objective of the free trade agreements with Ukraine and Moldova (DCFTA), but the EU can go even further in this direction, according to the note.
The focus could be on integrating economic sectors with high potential for cooperation, such as raw materials, batteries and machinery, according to the ten countries. This would “‘lock in’ Ukraine’s and the Republic of Moldova’s EU aspirations by providing immediate tangible rewards”.
The proposals revolve around support activities of all kinds. In the field of energy, for example, the EU could strengthen cooperation with both countries on the development of renewable energies, encourage investment in new capacities or offer expertise-sharing programmes.
This assistance also involves an increase in European funding for these two countries, according to the document.
Gradual integration into the Union also includes the agricultural aspect, which is more sensitive given Ukraine’s agricultural export power. For the signatories of the note, the EU must “continue to support bilateral trade liberalization with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova after the possible expiry of the Autonomous Trade Measures in June 2025, duly taking into account EU sensitivities, and supporting progress in the convergence of welfare and production standards”.
In this respect, the EU can also provide assistance to both countries to bring their legislation into line with the acquis communautaire in terms of sanitary and phytosanitary standards and production practices. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)