EU Member States Oppose Revised Trade Agreement with Ukraine

Strategic Insights -

During a meeting of EU agriculture ministers, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria expressed concerns over the proposed revised trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine, citing potential destabilization of EU agricultural markets. The issue was raised due to the expiration of Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) and the proposed Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) amendments. The revised deal aims to replace the visa-free trade regime with Ukraine and was discussed at the Brussels meeting.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five EU member states (Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria) opposed the revised trade agreement with Ukraine due to concerns over market destabilization.
  • The issue was raised during a meeting of EU agriculture ministers on July 14.
  • The proposed revised deal aims to replace the visa-free trade regime with Ukraine that expired in early June.
  • The revised deal is based on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) established in 2016.
  • The five concerned countries fear the potential influx of cheaper Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU market could harm domestic producers.
  • The review of the 2016 agreement had been due in 2021 but was postponed due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
  • EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen confirmed that the revised trade deal was discussed at the Brussels meeting and emphasized its benefits for EU farmers.

Statistics:

  • 5 EU member states opposed the revised trade agreement (Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria).
  • 1 meeting of EU agriculture ministers discussed the issue on July 14.
  • 2016: The year the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) was established.
  • June 30: The date negotiations with Kyiv were concluded.
  • 2021: The year the review of the 2016 agreement was due.

Sources:

  • European Pravda, citing diplomatic sources (no date provided)
  • EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen (no date provided)