Ukraine, EU Begin New Trade Rule Negotiations
On Monday, the European Union and Ukraine began the first formal negotiations on new trade conditions that will replace the autonomous trade measures that established a preferential trade regime for Ukrainian exporters, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill said at a briefing in Brussels on 2 June.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to European Pravda.
The European Commission spokesman said that the first negotiations on new long-term conditions for Ukrainian exporters to the EU will take place on 2 June.
‘I can confirm that the first official meeting to discuss these issues will take place this afternoon here in Brussels,’ Olof Gill said.
He specified that the term of the autonomous trade measures for Ukraine expires on 5 June, ‘that is, this Thursday.’
" As we have said before, we are now taking steps to put in place a transitional agreement, a kind of bridge, to give us time to explore and agree with our Ukrainian partners on the best way forward to renew a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, which will form the basis for our trade relations in the future," the European Commission spokesman explained.
‘We expect to have more clarity on this in the coming days,’ he added.
Earlier, the European Commission told that on 6 June, transitional measures will come into force to replace the ‘trade visa-free regime’ with Ukraine, which will return Ukrainian exporters to tariff quotas within the existing free trade area between Ukraine and the EU, with some preferences.
The transitional measures will remain in force until Ukraine and the EU complete negotiations on amendments to the existing Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU, the new version of which will contain long-term conditions for Ukrainian exporters to the EU, including elements of further trade liberalisation.
The European Commission does not plan to extend the autonomous trade measures regime for Ukraine (the so-called ‘trade visa-free regime’), which is valid until 5 June, but will ensure a smooth transition to the new scheme, in accordance with Article 29 of the Association Agreement: where all trade liberalisation conditions will be set out in the free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the European Commission was finalising a proposal on future trade relations with Ukraine, ahead of the expiration of the current autonomous trade measures—also known as the ‘trade visa-free regime’—on 5 June 2025.