Liovochkina: EU should demonstrate political wisdom at final round of talks on FTA with Ukraine
2011-07-21 10:02:52
At the final stage of negotiations on the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) with Ukraine, the European Union needs to demonstrate political wisdom and use its chance for the further unification of Europe, Regions Party MP Yulia Liovochkina said in an article, entitled "Ukraine free-trade deal - a test of the EU's credibility," which was posted on the website of Brussels-based publication New Europe.
"The reduction of tariff and nontariff barriers [in a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU] is likely to lead to substantial expansion of trade in goods and services as well as increase trade turnover, employment and strengthen European competitiveness," she said.
On the other hand, Liovochkina said that the creation of the free trade area with the EU would not only offer Ukraine a stake in the EU's single market, but also send a clear-cut message that Ukraine's course towards European integration is irreversible as it will clearly signal the geostrategic choice of the country.
"Furthermore, the related reforms will help reduce corruption and improve the rule of law thereby creating a more attractive investment climate," reads the article.
She also said that after four years of tough talks, the two parties had managed to make many compromises. "However, as the negotiations enter the crucial final stages the EU (or rather, some of its member states), is starting to move the goalposts by increasing efforts to protect certain sectors in their own markets," Liovochkina said.
She said that knowing the sensitivity and importance of this agreement for Ukraine, which is already coming under increased pressure, the EU's negotiators were showing little mercy towards Kyiv and continued to push for greater concessions.
"Nevertheless, Ukraine has now fulfilled almost all of the EU demands and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has set a deadline for his country's delegation to finish the talks this year, meaning the agreement could be initialed during the EU-Ukraine summit in December in Kyiv," the MP said.
Liovochkina said that Ukraine had taken on obligations similar to those requested of EU candidates, without demanding the same assistance or favorable conditions.
She said that with elections in both Russia and Ukraine in 2012, there was an urgent need to maintain momentum in the talks. She said that while the Polish EU Presidency had underlined its commitment to completing the talks with Ukraine, the EU as a whole needs to demonstrate far greater political wisdom and vision and not allow the negotiations to crash in tariff quotas.
"Therefore, 2011, the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, will either mark the beginning of real integration between the two partners, or will be remembered as the year the EU failed to fulfill its mission to unite Europe on the East of the continent," Liovochkina said.