EU Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht has said that the European Union is ready to sign the Association Agreement with Ukraine when Ukraine is ready, he said at a press conference in Athens after the Informal Foreign Affairs Council/ Trade.
“If and when Ukraine is ready to sign the deal, then the European
Union is ready to sign the deal. The democratic future of Ukraine is for
the Ukrainian people to decide, including in respect of a future
Association Agreement with the European Union,” he said.
“We will react appropriately to any request from a new inclusive
government committed to political and economic reforms. Any decision
will be taken by the council, taking into account the assessment of all
relevant circumstances,” he said.
He said that in fact the Association Agreement between Europe and
Ukraine – whereby about 90% of that agreement is in fact a “trade deal.”
He presented the benefits the associations will bring in part of a free trade zone.
“Ukrainian exporters will save almost half a billion euros annually
in total due to reduced EU import duties – to be more precise: EUR 487
million. Ukrainian agriculture will benefit from cuts in duties: EUR 330
million for agricultural products and EUR 53 million for processed
agricultural products. And Ukrainian chemical exporters will make
savings of EUR 26.8 million,” he said.
“This Association Agreement, and its ‘trade part’, is an
unprecedented blueprint for the modernization of Ukraine’s economy. This
will bring higher standards in the political system, for the Ukrainian
economy and very importantly for the people of Ukraine,” he said.
“The Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Agreement (DCFTA) are not directed towards or against Russia…
Technically, the DCFTA is not compatible with Ukraine becoming a member
of the customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, but Ukraine
is not. Apart from that, we even applaud that Ukraine would have closer
economic relations with Russia,” he said.
“For us, Ukraine is a sovereign country that can decide for itself
with whom and to what extent it has relations. For us, Russia is not an
opponent – I think we better should be partners with respect to Ukraine,” the EU commissioner said.
