MEPs on the International Trade Committee have endorsed the extension of trade liberalization measures to support Ukraine and Moldova, Report informs referring to the EP website.
MEPs approved on March 7, by 26 votes, with 10 against and 1 abstention, a proposal to renew the temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from June 6 2024 to June 5, 2025, to support Ukraine.
The legislation empowers the Commission to take swift action and impose any necessary measures should there be significant disruptions to the EU market, or to the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports. It also provides for an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs, and sugar, meaning that if imports of these products surpass the average 2022 and 2023 volumes, tariffs would be re-imposed.
The liberalizing measures are conditional on Ukraine’s respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law, and its sustained efforts to fight corruption and organized crime.
In a separate vote on March 7, MEPs agreed that all duties on imports from Moldova should be suspended for another year, by 28 votes, 2 against and 6 abstentions.
