The EU Member States have given the final green light to a temporary lift of all import duties on Ukrainian products on Tuesday. The European Parliament supported the measure with a large majority.
The measure is expected to be published shortly in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force the following day, Belga News Agency reports.
Import duties on products exported from Ukraine to the EU will be lifted for one year in order to support the Ukrainian economy in the wake of Russia’s war that is hampering the country's ability to trade with the rest of the world.
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“By removing tariffs and opening the European market, we will enhance Ukraine's ability to trade goods and agricultural products. With these unprecedented trade liberalisation measures, we are committed to helping Ukraine maintain its trade position with the rest of the world," said Latvian MEP Sandra Kalniete. "When we say that Ukraine is not alone in this struggle – we mean it."
The measures adopted include the full removal of import duties on industrial products, entry duties on fruit and vegetables, and anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures on steel imports for a period of one year.
Ukraine and the EU already have an association agreement including a “deep and comprehensive free trade area” since 2016, a framework that already waives the majority of customs duties. However, a period of transition was still underway for certain goods.
The EU is Ukraine’s main trading partner and is responsible for more than 40% of the country’s trade in goods in 2021.
