The EU has agreed a mandate to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas on products from Moldova and Ukraine for another 1 year.
According to the report of the European Council, in particular, the EU ambassadors agreed on February 21 on the negotiating mandate of the EU Council on two legislative proposals aimed at extending the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports to the EU for another 1 year. Meanwhile, the proposal on autonomous trade measures for Moldova seeks to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas for another year (from July 25, 2024 to July 24, 2025), while strengthening the protection of "sensitive" agricultural products by reinforcing the safeguard measures already included in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1524. As noted, by renewing these measures, the EU will continue to support and stimulate trade flows from Moldova and Ukraine to the EU and the rest of the world, and will contribute to creating conditions for enhanced economic and trade relations leading to the gradual integration of Moldova and Ukraine into EU internal market structures. As noted, the war in Ukraine continues to have a negative impact on Moldova's ability to trade with the rest of the world. Extending the suspension of import duties and quotas on Moldovan exports will help maintain the conditions necessary for Moldova to continue its trade relations with the EU and with the rest of the world through the EU. On January 31, 2024, the European Commission submitted two proposals to the EU Council to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports to the EU for another 1 year. The Committee of Permanent Representatives approved the text of the Commission's proposal without any changes in order to reach an agreement in the first reading with the European Parliament. The European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) intends to vote on the proposal at its meeting on March 7. The European Parliament intends to adopt its first reading position at one of its plenary meetings in April. The rules must then be adopted by the EU Council, signed by representatives of the Council and the European Parliament and published in the Official Journal before they can take effect. // 22.02.2024 - InfoMarket.
