EU Parliament approves extension of trade benefits for Ukraine with restrictions

At a plenary session on 13 March, EU MEPs approved the resumption of trade liberalisation measures for Moldova and amended a similar proposal for Ukraine to strengthen safeguards for EU farmers.

Source: press service of the European Parliament, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: With 347 votes in favour, 117 against, and 99 abstentions, MEPs approved amendments to a European Commission proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, until 5 June 2025.

The proposal has now been referred back to the relevant committee of the European Parliament, which supported a similar decision last week, so that negotiations can begin with the Council of the EU on amending the European Commission's proposal.

In a separate vote, with 459 votes in favour, 65 against and 57 abstentions, the European Parliament approved an extension of the suspension of all duties on imports from Moldova for another year, until 24 July 2025, with no additional restrictions.

The decision on Moldova must still be officially approved by the EU Council, after which it will take effect when the current regulation expires.

Background:

• In February, the permanent representatives of the European Union member states agreed to the EU Council's mandate to negotiate a proposal to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports for another year.
• At the end of January, the European Commission officially proposed extending the suspension of import quotas and duties for Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, while also including safeguards for agricultural products, as requested by several EU countries.
• However, this proposal did not satisfy farmers in EU countries bordering Ukraine, prompting protests, particularly in Poland.

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