Brussels, 26/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 26 March, the European Union lifted all quotas on the import of textiles and clothing products from Ukraine, following confirmation of the implementation of the "textiles" agreement reached with the country on 19 December 2000. This agreement makes the lifting of quantitative restrictions on exports of textile and clothing products from Ukraine on the latter's implementing reductions in its customs duties on the import of textiles and clothing products from the European Union.. Ukraine has complied with this obligation with effect from 23 February 2001, which explains the decision taken by the EU on Monday. Ukraine will continue implementing a parallel reduction in its customs duties until 2004, in accordance with the tariff reduction schedule of the EU in the WTO. The agreement, which provides for appropriate safeguard measures, is thus a further step towards trade liberalisation in textile products between the Union and Ukraine.