Ukraine and the European Union have reached an understanding on the issue of customs duties and the losses the Ukrainian economy will suffer after signing the association agreement with the EU, Ukraine's Income and Tax Minister Oleksandr Klymenko said.
“There is mutual understanding, including on the issue of the serious
losses that the Ukrainian economy will suffer after signing [the
agreement] with the EU. We see a positive signal in the possibility of
reconsidering and reaching symmetry in customs issues (duties), which is
undoubtedly important to Ukrainian enterprises,” the minister told
Interfax.
Klymenko reiterated that Ukraine had focused solely on the interests
of the Ukrainian economy in those negotiations. “The interests of
Ukrainian businesses and the domestic market should be as protected as
much as possible,” he said.
“The negotiations were productive and they showed that there are no
insurmountable contradictions between the parties. On the contrary, the
positions of the EU and Ukraine are very close and full mutual
understanding will be achieved after the needed preparations are made.
Ukraine, the government, and Ukrainian businesses are facing several
months of hard work,” the minister said.
