Press conference, Brussels, 11 March 2014. -The European Union is willing to
do everything in its powers to contribute to a negotiated solution
which respects the will of the Ukrainian people. Our first priority is a
negotiated and peaceful outcome to the current crisis.
We are also committed, and
ready, to support Ukraine to stabilise its economic and financial
situation. Last Thursday, the European Union Heads of State and
Government welcomed the 11 billion euros package of support to Ukraine
presented by European Commission. The Prime Minister of Ukraine himself
expressed gratitude for this very substantive package of support.
I am pleased to report that the Commission is moving ahead fast with the implementation of this support package.
Today, thanks to the hard and
efficient work of Commissioner Karel De Gucht and his services, the
Commission has adopted the first of the foreseen measures; we have
agreed a set of unilateral trade provisions that will allow Ukraine to
benefit substantially from the advantages offered in the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area, DCFTA, and this even before the signature
of the Association Agreement with Ukraine. This will represent an
economic benefit to Ukraine of around 500 million euros per year. Karel
will explain you afterwards in more detail these provisions and how they
are to be implemented.
Today's proposal is a concrete,
tangible measure of support to Ukraine. It must now be adopted through
ordinary legislative procedure by the Council and the Parliament. I
strongly hope that the full legislative process can be concluded in time
before the last Plenary of the European Parliament, so that the measure
can be in force before June this year.
This will of course not be the
only measure of support to Ukraine. The Commission continues to work as a
matter of the highest priority on the implementation of the Macro
Financial Assistance package of 1 billion euros – also part of the
support package I presented last week. We will make proposals next week,
concretely - they are now being prepared - proposals regarding macro
financial assistance. That work is being done in cooperation, of course,
with Vice-President Olli Rehn and his services.
Let me stress that the economic
support is just a part – an important part, but just a part – of our
broader efforts to support Ukraine in the current difficult
circumstances. Let me recall that, as a matter of priority, the European
Union has decided to sign the political chapters of the Association
Agreement with Ukraine before 25 May, so before the elections. This will
seal the political association between the EU and Ukraine before the
upcoming elections.
So once again the European Union
stands by Ukraine. We will continue to work very hard to support the
democratic choices of the Ukrainian people and to help guarantee
Europe’s peace and stability.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-205_en.htm?locale=en
11/3/14
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An "economic life-line for Ukraine": Temporary tariff cuts for Ukrainian exports to the EU...
ReplyDeleteStatement by EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
I'd first like to thank President Barroso for his presentation today and his full support for the trade action I have been working on for Ukraine.
I am very pleased that the College of Commissioners has agreed today to my proposal for a system of autonomous trade measures for Ukraine.
This will be an important component of the European Union's package to help Ukraine during this difficult period. A package which the President himself presented to you already last week. What we proposed today adds on to this package – these are new measures.
Today is a first step in delivering rapid and direct assistance to the people of Ukraine. As the President just explained, it is also a clear sign of the European Union standing shoulder to shoulder with all the Ukrainian people.
So what does this system of autonomous trade measures really mean?
In short, the EU will open its doors to exports from Ukraine, giving a real boost to Ukrainian companies with the knock-on effect of creating or maintaining jobs across the country. These measures will be valid until 1 November 2014. We hope that in the meantime the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) part of the agreement will be signed. If not, we could prolong the measure.
We are all aware of the economic plight facing Ukraine right now. This trade action is more than a gesture – it is an economic life-line.
Now, the 'one-way' trade system will allow for almost full, preferential access for Ukrainian goods onto the EU marketplace - without any reciprocity from Ukraine but with a number of key restrictions.
We have, of course, included certain conditions to prevent abuse from third countries – I'm referring to the rules of origin. We have also put in place important safeguards to prevent sudden damaging surges of products onto the European marketplace which would harm our companies or key sectors such as agriculture.
I would expect a positive impact for Ukrainian businesses and workers to be felt just weeks after this system comes into force....................http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-63_en.htm?locale=en
11/3/14