EU won’t restrict imports from Ukraine due to coronavirus crisis

The European Union does not intend to impose any additional restrictions to protect its producers amidst the economic crisis related to coronavirus. The protection mechanisms will operate within the framework of WTO and the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

"The EU does not intend to impose any special restrictions to protect its production due to COVID-19. There are no changes here, the protection mechanisms are applied only in strict accordance with the Association Agreement with Ukraine and the EU's obligations within the WTO," Katarína Mathernová, Deputy Director-General of European Commission’s European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Department said in an interview with the Yevropeiska Pravda online media outlet.

At the same time, she stated that coronavirus and quarantine affected the EU-Ukraine trade.

According to Mathernová, there are no statistical data for March and April yet, but it is very likely that most sectors have faced problems.

"The metallurgical industry, which is important for Ukraine, has become one of the most affected. However, there are a few exceptions to this trend – these are some agricultural products, as well as some products to combat the epidemic, trade in which has increased," the Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations said.

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