Members of the European Union have reached a difficult compromise on extending the so-called autonomous trade measures, which give Kiev almost unlimited access to the European market, Bloomberg reported. The agreement was reached despite protests by farmers in Europe, who, among other things, opposed the import of Ukrainian products into the EU.
EU member states have reached a difficult compromise to extend duty-free trade with Ukraine for another year, Bloomberg reported. The move came amid farmers across the bloc protesting against imports of Ukrainian food products.
The extension of the so-called autonomous trade measures, which still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, will allow Kiev to retain virtually unlimited access to the EU market until 5 June 2025.
Members of the bloc generally supported the move, but some insisted that Brussels provide protective mechanisms for products such as corn, poultry, sugar and eggs in case imports of these products exceeded previous volumes.
The extension of free trade measures with Ukraine has been one of the central themes of the farmer protests that have swept across Europe in recent weeks, the publication noted.