On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) endorsed the continuation of trade liberalisation measures for Moldova and made adjustments to the proposal concerning Ukraine to bolster protections for EU farmers.

The vote resulted in amendments to the Commission’s proposal to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for an additional year, from June 6, 2024, to June 5, 2025.

MEPs referred the report back to the Committee on International Trade for further negotiations with the Council.

The legislation grants the Commission authority to promptly implement any necessary measures in the event of significant disruptions to the EU market or to the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, including the implementation of emergency measures for particularly sensitive agricultural products.

MEPs voted to modify the Commission’s proposal to encompass more sensitive products and to extend the reference date for calculating average volumes.

These liberalization measures are contingent upon Ukraine’s adherence to democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law, and its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and organized crime.

Regarding Moldova, Parliament, in a separate vote, approved the suspension of all remaining duties on imports from Moldova for another year.

The Republic of Moldova has been significantly affected by Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine, as it heavily relies on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its exports.

Trade liberalization measures have enabled Moldova to redirect some of its trade with the rest of the world through the EU. Additionally, most Moldovan exports already enjoy duty-free access to the EU market under the Association Agreement.

The next steps involve the formal approval of these measures by EU governments in the case of Moldova.

The new regulation is expected to come into effect immediately upon the expiration of the current regulation, which expires on June 5, 2024, for Ukraine and on July 24, 2024, for Moldova.

As for Ukraine, MEPs will commence negotiations with the Council.

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, along with the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, has provided Ukrainian businesses with preferential access to the EU market since 2016.

Following the onset of Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine, the EU introduced autonomous trade measures (ATMs) in June 2022, allowing duty-free access for all Ukrainian products to the EU.

These measures were extended for one more year in 2023. In January, the EU Commission proposed the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports for an additional year.

Russia’s deliberate targeting of Ukrainian food production and Black Sea exporting facilities aims to undermine the country’s economy and global food security.

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