The rules on the import of Ukrainian products into the EU without customs duties and quantitative restrictions came into force

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According to the statement from Brussels, with the measures, the EU once again fulfills its commitment to stand up and support Ukraine as long as it is needed. They stated: the so-called autonomous trade measures (ATMs) are a pillar of EU support for the Ukrainian economy and provide access to the EU market. It was highlighted: the measures also take into account the concerns of EU stakeholders, as the EU provides protection to EU agricultural producers in addition to the extension of temporary trade liberalization measures. This means that the European Commission will introduce an emergency braking mechanism for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, wheat, maize and honey. If imports of these products exceed the average of the import volumes recorded in the second half of 2021 and the whole of 2022 and 2023, the duties will be reimposed.

The statement quoted Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner responsible for trade affairs, who said that the measures are not only gestures of solidarity and efforts to create stability in Ukraine, but also an economic lifeline. The rules also contain stronger safeguards than before for the EU’s agricultural sectors, responding to legitimate concerns expressed by farmers and member states. “We have found the right balance while continuing to work to find longer-term solutions within the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement,” added the EU Commissioner. As part of the agreement on the new rules, the European Commission promised to soon start negotiations with Ukraine on the permanent liberalization of trade, they wrote. The trade measures in question have been in force for Ukraine since June 5, 2022.

MTI