It is a “balanced, fair and realistic agreement”, assured the European commissioner in charge of trade Maros Sefcovic, who insisted on quotas for “sensitive products such as eggs, sugar and wheat”.
The European Union announced on Monday that it has found a “Agreement of principle” With Ukraine in terms of free trade, especially on the sensitive aspect of agricultural imports. This is an agreement “Balanced, fair and realistic”assured the European Commissioner in charge of trade Maros Sefcovic, who insisted on the quotas for the “Sensitive products such as eggs, sugar and wheat”.
In order to support kyiv in the face of the Russian invasion, the European Union had established since 2022 and until June 5, an exemption from customs duties on Ukrainian agricultural products. But European farmers regularly denounced a “Unfair competition” of Ukraine, agricultural giant, and asked to return to the quotas in force before the war, in a 2016 agreement.
Brussels believes that it has found a balance, thanks to the compromise sealed with kyiv during the weekend. With the new agreement, “We secure the trade flows from Ukraine to Europe. (…) At the same time, we continue to protect the interests of our farmers ”said the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. To reassure the profession, the EU promises quotas on products such as wheat, corn, sugar, honey, poultry and eggs, while other products will be fully liberalized such as grape juice or fermented milk.
“The EU will open its market more to Ukrainian products”
Globally, “The EU will open its market more to Ukrainian products than before war, while holding (…) counts the sensitivities of certain agrifood sectors”explains the commission. Brussels insists on safeguard clauses in the event of market destabilization. The EU also mentions a commitment from Ukraine to “Gradually align its production standards” On those of the EU, by 2028, especially in terms of the use of pesticides.
This agreement in principle must still be subject to technical discussions, before being subject to the Member States. Since June 5, pending a compromise, the European Union had implemented transitional measures returning to the 2016 quotas and very criticized by kyiv.
