Ukraine has agreed to a gradual reduction in the export duty on sunflower seeds by 1% per year, to zero within ten years, as part of a free trade area (FTA) with the European Union.

The press service of the Ukrainian Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry announced this, while commenting on the results of agreements reached during the 18th round of talks between Ukraine and the European Union on the creation of a free trade area.

According to the report, the sides agreed that the duty on exports of sunflower seeds from Ukraine would be reduced under the same scheme as during the signing of an agreement on Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The duty will decline by 1% per year, up to zero within ten years," the press service said.

As UKRINFORM reported, Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk believes that Ukraine has achieved positive results on agricultural issues in talks on the creation of a free trade area with the EU.

He said that the negotiating group had managed to achieve an increase in quotas on almost all types of products by 2-4 times. "The agricultural sector has practically completed work on preparations for the signing of the free trade area with the EU," Prysiazhniuk said.

The 18th round of talks between Ukraine and the EU on the creation of a free trade area was held in Brussels on September 19-23.

UKRINFORM