Denys Shmyhal and Valdis Dombrovskis discuss trade liberalisation between Ukraine and EU
Ukraine is ready to take further steps, in coordination with neighbouring EU member states and the European Commission, to unblock the border and restore exports and transit of Ukrainian products.
This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a meeting with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.
The Head of Government welcomed the European Commission’s initiative to involve the European Investment Bank and the EBRD in the implementation of initiatives to increase the capacity of the Solidarity Lanes.
“Thanks to the resumption of the Coordination Platform for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products under the coordinating role of Valdis Dombrovskis, we can see progress in the development of common solutions. At the same time, the Ukrainian side confirms on a daily basis the high quality of Ukrainian agricultural products delivered to the EU member states,” said Denys Shmyhal.
He praised the European Commission’s constructive approach to the extension of the autonomous trade liberalisation measures for Ukraine until June 2025.
“We are counting on a balanced position of the European Parliament during the vote on the extension of such measures and expect that the European Commission’s proposal will be approved without any amendments. At the same time, the preferential trade regime between Ukraine and the EU should be based on more substantial, long-term agreements. We need to reach agreements in principle on further tariff liberalisation of the trade regime. The mechanism provided for in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement opens up such opportunities for us,” the Prime Minister stressed.
During the meeting Valdis Dombrovskis and Denys Shmyhal also discussed preparations for the 9th EU-Ukraine Association Council and the Ukraine Facility programme.
The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission stressed that Europe would continue to stand by Ukraine and provide military, financial and other support.