- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Russia, Ukraine, EU Reach Compromise on Kiev's European Integration

© RIA Novosti . Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankSupporters of eurointegration of Ukraine raise flag of the EU during a meeting in the center of Kiev. (Achieve)
Supporters of eurointegration of Ukraine raise flag of the EU during a meeting in the center of Kiev. (Achieve) - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on Friday reached a crucial compromise on Kiev's free trade pact with the EU postponing its entry into force until the end of 2015, Russia's economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said.

Updated 9:07 p.m. Moscow Time

MOSCOW, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on Friday reached a crucial compromise on Kiev's free trade pact with the EU postponing its entry into force until the end of 2015, Russia's economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said.

"Until the date that we agreed upon - the end of 2015 - the Russian Federation pledges not to apply protective measures," Ulyukayev told reporters following the second round of trilateral ministerial talks on Ukraine-EU association agreement.

"We will continue the discussion of the issue that concerns us the most - what form [of a solution] we could find to alleviate our worries," Ulyukayev said.

"So far, we have agreed to continue dialogue for the next 15 months, we will present our arguments while our colleagues will offer theirs," the minister added.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will continue to enjoy privileged access to the EU market through this period, according to EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.

The deal was agreed upon during a trilateral meeting in Brussels between Russia's Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukaev, the European Commissioner for Trade Karel de Guсht and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. The meeting was held after Moscow expressed concerns that the implementation of the association agreement carries economic risks for Russian-Ukrainian relations.

The Ukraine–EU Association Agreement is a treaty between the two, which presupposes political and economic association between the parties.

Moscow previously expressed deep concern over Ukraine's signing of the free trade agreement with the EU, as it could trigger an uncontrolled flow of duty-free goods, and warned Kiev that Russia would be forced to protect its market.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала