EU Considers Legal Action Against Three Countries Blocking Ukrainian Goods
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia are ignoring the EU's updated trade agreement with Ukraine, continuing unilateral bans on imports of Ukrainian goods.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Politico.
The European Commission has stated that it does not rule out the possibility of filing lawsuits against these three countries for violating EU single market rules.
“We see no justification for maintaining these national measures,” said Commission Deputy Spokesperson Olof Gill.
The bans apply to Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products and violate EU rules prohibiting national trade barriers.
Brussels is trying to intensify contacts with the governments of Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, but all options, including legal action, are being considered.
Poland and Hungary have confirmed that they will maintain their restrictions, explaining this by the need to protect local producers and criticizing the prioritization of Ukrainian interests.
Slovakia has also hinted at similar steps due to the insufficient effectiveness of the new agreement's mechanisms.
As The Gaze informed earlier, EU ambassadors have approved a new version of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Agreement with Ukraine, aiming to replace the visa-free travel agreement.
The new DCFTA provides for updated trade rules that is going to replace the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM), applied to Ukrainian exporters until June 5, 2025, and will ensure the continuation of preferential treatment and deeper integration with the European market.
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