17:43 13.11.2015

Poroshenko concerned about Russia's intention to introduce embargo on Ukrainian agricultural goods in 2016

2 min read
Poroshenko concerned about Russia's intention to introduce embargo on Ukrainian agricultural goods in 2016

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has expressed his concern over Russia's intentions to introduce an embargo on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, as well as a customs tariffs on products from Ukraine on January 1, 2016, during a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom

According to the presidential press service, Poroshenko informed the EU Commissioner about the economic situation in Ukraine, the implementation of the Minsk agreements, as well as the recent decisions of the Verkhovna Rada concerning the approval of the package of anti-corruption and anti-discrimination laws that are required for the EU's introduction of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens.

"We have to be ready for economic consequences because Russia uses not only the occupation of the sovereign independent state of Ukraine but also a trade war against us," Poroshenko said.

The Ukrainian president also expressed hope for a favourable conclusion by an evaluation mission of the European Commission concerning Ukraine's readiness for the introduction of visa-free travel with the EU.

The Ukrainian head of state said the country's free trade area with the EU, due to be launched from January 1, 2016, will take EU-Ukrainian trade and economic relations to a new level and foster subsequent development of the Ukrainian economy.

Russia's share in Ukraine's total foreign trade has dropped significantly, to 16%, Poroshenko said. Meanwhile, EU members account for over 37% of Ukraine's foreign trade operations.

For her part, Malmstrom noted the significant reforms Ukraine has achieved in the past few months, as well as the president's enormous efforts to maintain the coalition's unity in voting for the laws necessary for the introduction of visa-free travel with the EU.

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