Latest news with #EU-Ukraine
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU explains what comes next for Ukraine as trade liberalisation nears expiry
Transitional measures approved by the European Commission on 22 May will take effect from 6 June 2025 following the end of the autonomous trade measures (ATM), which provide a preferential trade regime for Ukrainian exporters. These measures will grant access to tariff quotas within the existing Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the EU. Source: European Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari, as reported by a correspondent of European Pravda Details: Ujvari said the transitional measures will take effect on 6 June to replace the trade visa-free regime with Ukraine, returning Ukrainian exporters to tariff quotas within the framework of the existing free trade area between Ukraine and the EU. "The Commission is currently working on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Trade Area (DCFTA), with a view to offering longer-term predictability and stability to EU and Ukrainian operators, including in the perspective of the accession of Ukraine to the EU," he said. Ujvari notes that transitional measures will remain in place until Ukraine and the EU complete negotiations on amendments to the existing DCFTA. The revised agreement will include long-term conditions for Ukrainian exporters to the EU, incorporating elements of trade liberalisation. "In order to avoid a possible cliff-edge scenario on 5 June when the ATMs expire, the Commission has prepared transitional measures that will be in place until the DCFTA review negotiations are finalised. These measures take the form of an Implementing Act, which Member States voted on today [22 May] at a meeting of the Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets," the spokesperson said. This act, the text of which is available to European Pravda, will provide access to tariff quotas for products originating from Ukraine under the current DCFTA. "The volumes of the quotas available until the end of 2025 will amount to 7/12 of the normal yearly volumes, given that they will be open as of 6 June only and therefore be open for 7 months only this year," Ujvari said. "Additionally, the management of certain quotas normally managed with licences will temporarily switch to a lighter management mode ('first come first served') to ensure that imports from Ukraine benefit from the preferential trade regime under the DCFTA as of the first day the ATM ceases to apply (6 June)," he added. In simple terms, Ukrainian products that required export licences to the EU before 2022 are temporarily exempt from this requirement. Quotas will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and will be exhausted as Ukrainian exporters conduct foreign economic operations. Background: European Pravda previously reported that the European Commission adopted a list of transitional measures on Ukrainian exports to the EU on 22 May, which will take effect on 6 June 2025 following the expiry of autonomous trade measures for Ukraine. Back in late April, European Pravda reported that the European Commission did not plan to extend the ATM regime for Ukraine, which remains in effect until 5 June, but would ensure a smooth transition to a new scheme in which all trade liberalisation conditions will be embedded in the EU-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. The European Parliament voted in favour of introducing a preferential regime for the export of Ukrainian steel and iron from 6 June 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU to restore quotas on Ukrainian farm imports in June, Bloomberg reports
The European Union has agreed to reintroduce import quotas on several Ukrainian agricultural products starting June 6, Bloomberg reported on May 23. The move marks a significant shift in EU trade policy toward Kyiv, as bloc members seek to balance wartime support for Ukraine with growing domestic unrest from European farmers. The quotas were eliminated at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Their reintroduction was approved by the European Commission on May 22. While no EU member voted against the new measure, several — including Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Lithuania — abstained. The decision comes after protests across Central and Eastern Europe, where farmers argued that the influx of lower-cost Ukrainian goods has depressed local prices and undermined their livelihoods. Polish farmers and truckers in particular have staged repeated blockades at the Ukrainian border since 2023 to protest duty-free imports. Agricultural exports are critical to Ukraine's wartime economy, and EU market access has served as a lifeline following Russia's 2022 invasion, which severely disrupted Black Sea shipping lanes. In response, the EU introduced a duty- and quota-free regime in June 2022 to ease the flow of Ukrainian goods to global markets. The agreement has been extended twice, most recently until June 5. The European Commission said the quotas are temporary and that talks are underway to revise the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), the broader legal framework governing bilateral trade. Read also: Editorial: Russia just said it doesn't want peace in Ukraine. This is what you need to do We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU market remains open to Ukrainian goods, says Ukraine's minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister, has stated that the European market remains open to Ukrainian goods and that there are currently no plans to suspend the EU-Ukraine free trade regime. Source: Stefanishyna in a comment to European Pravda following her visit to Brussels Details: Stefanishyna said that during the visit, a substantive dialogue began on finding a long-term solution in the field of trade. As reported earlier, on 22 May the European Commission adopted a list of transitional measures regarding Ukrainian exports to the EU. These will come into force on 6 June 2025, once the current autonomous trade measures for Ukraine – known as the "trade visa-free regime" – expire. Stefanishyna explained that this is an interim solution which will help avoid the worst-case scenario and achieve a sustainable resolution within the framework of the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. Quote: "There is no talk of suspending free trade: the EU market remains open to Ukrainian goods. We have agreed to work quickly and constructively towards a long-term solution." More details: Stefanishyna noted that the EU understands how critical it is for Ukraine, during wartime, to have predictable and transparent trade conditions and the importance of agricultural exports for the country's economic stability. "There is clear political will to find a balanced solution by the end of July 2025," she stated. Background: As European Pravda reported back in late April, the European Commission does not plan to extend the "trade visa-free regime", which remains in effect until 5 June. However, it will ensure a smooth transition to a new scheme, under which all trade liberalisation terms will be enshrined in the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. It is worth noting that the European Parliament has voted to introduce a preferential regime for the export of steel and iron from Ukraine starting from 6 June 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Albania and Montenegro could join the EU before others, Costa says
An EU-Ukraine Task Force to boost defence industries' ties is meeting for the first time on Monday with Brussels keen to replicate Kyiv's innovation and production prowesses since the beginning of Russia's aggression. "Today, we announce the creation of the inter-institutional EU-Ukraine Task Force. And today Ukrainian and European experts of that group will convene for the very first meeting to assist integration of our defence industries, to facilitate development of joint projects or joint procurement processes," Andrius Kubilius, the European commissioner for defence and space, told the second edition of the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum. Supply chain issues and capability areas identified as priorities including explosives and drones are of particular interest for the group. "We need to learn from Ukraine how to create a drone production and operation infrastructure," Kubilius said, adding that when it comes to drones "who needs integration more: Ukraine or Europe? My answer - Europe". According to the Ukrainian government, the country's annual defence production capacity is expected to reach €35 billion this year, a 35-fold increase from 2022 when Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale attack against its neighbour. Europe's industry, meanwhile, initially struggled to ramp up, infamously missing a target to produce one million ammunition rounds within 12 months. It's now on course to produce two million rounds this year. Ukraine's defence companies are not only battle-tested, but also "fast", " modern", and able to produce at "half the price" compared to their European counterparts, Kubilius said. "There is a need for Europeans not only to buy weapons from Ukraine and for Ukraine. There is a clear need for Europeans to buy technologies, know-how of production and of management systems from Ukraine for our own European defence industries," he also said. Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told the same forum that the conflict will go down in history "as the first world drone war". Ukraine, he added, has had "substantial success in manufacturing all types of unmanned systems" and now has "a solution for AI-driven auto-targeting for aerial strike drones". "The next big thing is the swarms of drones, coordinated attack capability." "We are ready to share what our industry learnt in this war with you, our strategic partners," he said, adding: "We're here to build the arsenal of the free world together." The EU is planning to pour hundreds of billions of euros into the defence sector over the coming four years, including up to €650 billion through additional fiscal space and €150 billion via a new loan programme, called SAFE, aimed at boosting joint procurement of European-made capabilities, and from which Ukraine and its companies can benefit too. Member states are currently negotiating the parameters of SAFE and are expected to conclude talks before the end of the month. It will then take over six months for the first disbursements to come through. The Commission is meanwhile holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU-based industry this week, followed by an Implementation Dialogue towards the end of May and a simplification omnibus for the sector in mid-June. An Industry Outlook plan, based on national capability targets provided by member states, is meanwhile expected to be released in late June, when EU leaders are also set to approve common European flagship projects in defence. "Peace through strength will come from production power and brain power. To stop Putin, we need to produce more, we need to innovate more, and we need to do that together: in the EU and with Ukraine," Kubilius said. President of the European Council António Costa has sought to reassure EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans by saying that the continent's future stability and prosperity depends on the enlargement of the bloc. Speaking ahead of a tour of the region, Costa promised them that the EU was dedicated to relaunching the accession process, which has stalled of late, in part due to the hesitation of member states. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Costa also urged candidate countries to commit to reforms. At the heart of his mission to the Western Balkans is the need for Brussels not to lose strategic control over a key region. "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sped up the accession process for Ukraine and Moldova, so it is not fair to the countries of the Western Balkans to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova, and this will push them to move faster with reforms," he told Euronews on the eve of his diplomatic tour of the six Western Balkan countries. The European Council president's first stop will be Serbia, a country that has been mired in political crisis for several months. The same day, Costa will also visit Bosnia-Herzegovina, before meeting both Montenegro and Kosovo's heads of state and government on Wednesday. The following day he will visit Northern Macedonia. His final stop will then be Albania, where he will take part in the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Friday in Tirana. The EPC is an intergovernmental political strategy forum bringing together over forty European countries, which was created in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. EU expansion in the Western Balkans will be high on the agenda at summit because of the growing instability in the region. The leaders of EU member states fear that outside powers are establishing their foothold in a region that is an integral part of Europe. "On the European Council side, there is a broad political consensus that enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment that can be made for the stability, peace and prosperity of the whole of Europe, including the countries of the Western Balkans," said Costa. The president of the European Council noted that "the countries of the EU and the Western Balkans share a common vision, since they belong to the European family". "This is why we need to work so that they can formally join this family, within the European Union," he added. The Serbian political crisis is a source of concern for both the EU and NATO. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was the only leader from an EU candidate country to take part in the Second World War commemorations in Moscow on 9 May. The only member state leader present was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Vučić and Fico thus broke the boycott of the celebrations imposed against the Kremlin by Western countries. Similarly, Serbia never joined the sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU following the invasion of Ukraine. For many Serbs, their country, which was at the time part of Yugoslavia, is indebted to the Soviet Union for having been liberated by the Red Army in 1945. Vučić's presence at the Moscow celebrations was not necessarily a sign of his support for the Kremlin's cause in its war in Ukraine. President Vučić's government has been rocked by months of demonstrations in Belgrade and other cities across the country. Protesters accuse his regime of corruption and of restricting political and media freedoms. Last week, the European Parliament pleaded the cause of the student demonstrators in Serbia. In Strasbourg, EU politicians approved by a large majority a non-binding report on Serbia drafted by Croatian Socialist Tonino Picula. For the MEPs, despite some economic progress, Belgrade is still lacking in terms of internal political dialogue, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. During a working meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen last month, Vučić "was very clear on the formation of a new government and on the approval of three essential reforms: the electoral law, freedom of the press and the fight against corruption", said Costa. The European Council president stressed that "enlargement is first and foremost a process of internal reform". Commenting on Vučić's presence in Moscow and the political tensions in Serbia, Costa said one of the conditions for accession was common foreign policy between the EU and prospective member states. However, he added: "On 9 May in Moscow, we celebrated an event of the past. Serbia's future lies in Europe." European institutions have often indicated 2030 as the target date for the first accessions to the EU, notably those of Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. However, Brussels is now only talking about Albania and Montenegro. "I don't have a fixed date. Why 2030? And why not before? Accession is a process based on merit. If the countries carry out the reforms, they could even join before 2030," said Costa. "But it is precisely the merits that can change. Albania and Montenegro are clearly more advanced than the other countries." Nevertheless, Russia's war in Ukraine has led to a resurgence of tensions in the Western Balkans, particularly in relation to the tensions in Bosnia and between Serbia and Kosovo. "I know of no better incentive to overcome the conflicts that are still open than this perhaps unique opportunity, which is membership of the European Union. It is the best condition to offer the countries of the Western Balkans, an opportunity for prosperity that they would be hard pressed to find elsewhere," Costa said. According to numerous opinion polls, a majority of Serbs have lost interest in the EU because of the bloc's hesitation over expansion. "The most important thing is to understand the meaning of the European Union. Last week, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Schumann Declaration, the first step towards today's Union," Costa noted. "What really built the EU was the will to overcome the wounds of history," he concluded. The Irish Taoiseach told Euronews reporter Shona Murray that the European Union should pursue all instruments it has to stop what he says is an "unreasonable exploitation" of the veto mechanism. He argued that, if continued, this will make the EU unworkable. He added that Ukraine must join the EU for geopolitical reasons. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said last week that there can be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Orbán has cited concerns that Ukraine's accession could bankrupt the EU. However, Martin called Budapest's efforts to block this process "outrageous". We also look at strategic talks between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and defence industry CEOs in Brussels today as the EU is looking to boost weapons production. Finally, after decades of rapid development in digital literacy, the pace in Europe has slowed dramatically. Where is this situation most problematic? This episode of Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Lauren Walker with journalist Maïa de la Baume. Audio editing by Johan Breton. Music by Alexandre Jas.
Euronews
12-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
EU needs more integration with Ukraine defence industry: Kubilius
An EU-Ukraine Task Force to boost defence industries' ties is meeting for the first time on Monday with Brussels keen to replicate Kyiv's innovation and production prowesses since the beginning of Russia's aggression. "Today, we announce the creation of the inter-institutional EU-Ukraine Task Force. And today Ukrainian and European experts of that group will convene for the very first meeting to assist integration of our defence industries, to facilitate development of joint projects or joint procurement processes," Andrius Kubilius, the European commissioner for defence and space, told the second edition of the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum. Supply chain issues and capability areas identified as priorities including explosives and drones are of particular interest for the group. "We need to learn from Ukraine how to create a drone production and operation infrastructure," Kubilius said, adding that when it comes to drones "who needs integration more: Ukraine or Europe? My answer - Europe". According to the Ukrainian government, the country's annual defence production capacity is expected to reach €35 billion this year, a 35-fold increase from 2022 when Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale attack against its neighbour. Europe's industry, meanwhile, initially struggled to ramp up, infamously missing a target to produce one million ammunition rounds within 12 months. It's now on course to produce two million rounds this year. Ukraine's defence companies are not only battle-tested, but also "fast", " modern", and able to produce at "half the price" compared to their European counterparts, Kubilius said. "There is a need for Europeans not only to buy weapons from Ukraine and for Ukraine. There is a clear need for Europeans to buy technologies, know-how of production and of management systems from Ukraine for our own European defence industries," he also said. Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told the same forum that the conflict will go down in history "as the first world drone war". Ukraine, he added, has had "substantial success in manufacturing all types of unmanned systems" and now has "a solution for AI-driven auto-targeting for aerial strike drones". "The next big thing is the swarms of drones, coordinated attack capability." "We are ready to share what our industry learnt in this war with you, our strategic partners," he said, adding: "We're here to build the arsenal of the free world together." The EU is planning to pour hundreds of billions of euros into the defence sector over the coming four years, including up to €650 billion through additional fiscal space and €150 billion via a new loan programme, called SAFE, aimed at boosting joint procurement of European-made capabilities, and from which Ukraine and its companies can benefit too. Member states are currently negotiating the parameters of SAFE and are expected to conclude talks before the end of the month. It will then take over six months for the first disbursements to come through. The Commission is meanwhile holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU-based industry this week, followed by an Implementation Dialogue towards the end of May and a simplification omnibus for the sector in mid-June. An Industry Outlook plan, based on national capability targets provided by member states, is meanwhile expected to be released in late June, when EU leaders are also set to approve common European flagship projects in defence. "Peace through strength will come from production power and brain power. To stop Putin, we need to produce more, we need to innovate more, and we need to do that together: in the EU and with Ukraine," Kubilius said.
