The European Union has agreed to continue to apply EU autonomous trade preferences to Ukraine until the end of 2015. Such a move by the EU is an unprecedented gesture of support and solidarity with Ukraine.

This will allow Ukraine to fully take advantage of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement included in the Association Agreement. Our producers will benefit from unilateral preferences by the EU and get more time to adapt to the conditions of intensified competition within the EU-Ukraine DCFTA.

Ukraine will be able to maintain a balance between the implementation of the DCFTA and a free trade regime with Russia in the framework of the CIS Free Trade Agreement. The reached agreements remove even hypothetical concerns of the Russian side regarding the implementation of the Agreement. Ukraine and the EU also agreed to continue consultations with the Russian Federation on trade issues.

As planned, Ukraine and the EU will simultaneously ratify the Association Agreement on September 16. The Association Agreement text will not be subject to any changes.