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The European Commission has proposed to extend the suspension of import quotas and duties on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, while implementing safety measures for some agricultural products, as demanded by several EU countries.
The statement was issued on the official website of the European Commisssion.
“The Commission has today proposed to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, while reinforcing protection for sensitive EU agricultural products. This is done in line with EU commitments to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the press release says.
The commission proceeds with Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs), that “have been in place since June 2022 and are a key pillar of the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its economy”, as the EU is committed to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”. The same measures are to apply to Moldova.
While the goal of the ATMs is to support Ukraine, the EU farmers and other stakeholders are not neglected. Hence, the renewed ATMs contain a reinforced safeguard mechanism to make sure that quick remedial action can be taken in case of significant disruptions to the EU market, whether it concerns one or more states.
Poultry, eggs and sugar, as the most sensitive products, may be restricted in import if they distabilise the average import volumes of 2022 and 2023.
The ATMs have maintained stable trade flow from Ukraine to the EU in 2022 and 2023 amid the war and disruptions caused by it. Total EU imports from Ukraine amounted to €24.3 billion in the 12 months to October 2023 compared to pre-war levels of €24 billion in 2021.
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