Instead of extending the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) for Ukraine, which expire on June 5, the European Commission will update the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the country to offer long-term predictability and stability to operators in both the EU and Ukraine, Ukrainian media quoted European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill as saying in Brussels on Wednesday, while commenting on the future of the ATMs for Ukrainian exports, including those of grain crops, to the European market.
“As you all know, the Autonomous Trade Measures expire on June 5. The intention of the Commission is not to extend the Autonomous Trade Measures beyond that date,” Gill said.
The European Commission’s current priority is “to work on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, the DCFTA as we call it,” he said.
“We want to upgrade the DCFTA in order that we can offer long-term predictability and stability to operators in both the EU and Ukraine,” he said.
The EU and Ukraine are continuing negotiations on the matter, Gill said. “We know that there are time constraints. Therefore, we are also looking at possible transitional measures in case the negotiations for reviewing the DCFTA are not finalized and applied by the 6th of June,” he said.
As reported, the EU has liberalized trade with Ukraine since June 2022, including by suspending import duties and quotas, to help sustain the country’s economy.
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