Interfax: Envoy Chizhov: European Commission starts to weigh Russian concerns over EU-Ukraine free trade

EU Map

BRUSSELS. Sept 30 (Interfax) – Russia is awaiting the European Commission’s proposal to lift its concerns about the enforcement of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), Russian Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told reporters.

“The decision of the European Council was anticipated and quite consistent with the agreement reached in the Russia-Ukraine-EU trilateral format in Brussels on September 12,” he said, speaking of the DCFTA deferral until early 2016 formalized by the European Council on Monday.

“I believe there is enough time for reaching a compromise but there will be some difficulties along that path. I presume that the consideration of the list of Russian concerns presented to the European Commission on September 12 will start soon, before the European Commission composition is altered,” Chizhov said.

According to Chizhov, Russia has identified five problem areas that need a solution, among them tariffs, standards and technical regulation, phytosanitary and veterinarian norms, energy and customs administration.

He said though the date of the next trilateral meeting had not been set as of yet. “Experts continue their individual work but the ball is in the EU court. They have received the list of our concerns and we are awaiting their proposals now,” the Russian envoy underscored.

Meanwhile, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told Interfax, Moscow deems the European Union Council’s decision to put off the implementation of the free trade agreement with Ukraine until the end of 2015, sufficient for lifting its concerns, but would like Kyiv to adopt a similar document.

“The European Commission has issued such a document. Legally, it is sufficient. But politically, it would be important for Russia if Ukraine issued a similar document. At least, we are expecting our Ukrainian colleagues to make such a decision,” he said in answer to a question from Interfax.

The European Council decided on Monday to delay the DCFTA implementation until the end of 2015.

The DCFTA is a part of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.

The European Council’s decision complied with the agreements reached at the September 12 meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev and EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht.

Yet the Association Agreement’s provisions regarding the foreign policy, internal affairs, sectoral cooperation and institutional issues will take temporary effect already on November 1, 2014.

 

Comment