PM Azarov: Ukraine, EU complete 90% of documents on free trade area
2011-02-22 17:58:18
Ukraine and the European Union have completed 90% of documents on the creation a free trade area, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said at a meeting with representatives of the European Business Association.
The prime minister said that there remained a number of "sensitive positions, first and foremost, quota principles in the agricultural sector."
Azarov noted that Ukraine was interested in there being a balance between exports and imports with the EU and establishing a transitional period with respect to agricultural products, which Ukraine wants to export to the EU.
In his opinion, such a period should be about ten years, during which it will be necessary to completely abandon the quota principle.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych instructed the government to take the necessary measures to intensify the negotiating process on signing an association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, including a provision on the creation of a free trade area.
The Cabinet of Ministers was also ordered to review risks for the Ukrainian economy and possible concessions in talks with the EU on the creation of a free trade area.
As UKRINFORM reported, the head of the European Commission's negotiation group on the creation of a free trade area, Philippe Cuisson, said on February 10 that a free trade area agreement between Ukraine and the European Union would be signed in 2011.