The European Parliament's Committee on International Trade has approved the suspension of EU import duties on Ukrainian products for a year to support Ukraine's economy. This was reported on the website of the European Parliament.

“Deputies of the Committee on International Trade approved the proposal of the European Commission on the temporary liberalization of trade in Ukrainian products due to Russia's aggression, which prevented Ukraine from continuing business with the rest of the world. The provisions adopted include the complete suspension of import duties on industrial goods, the system of entry prices for fruits and vegetables, as well as anti-dumping duties and protecting measures on steel import for one year”, - the statement said.

The draft text of the Committee on International Trade was adopted by 38 deputies “for”, 1 - “against” and 3 - “abstained”. “The Kremlin's brutal and arbitrary war is aimed at Ukraine's possibility to continue trade. However, the EU can take steps to revive bilateral trade relations, and it will make them. The abolition of customs duties and the opening of the European market will allow us to strengthen Ukraine's ability to trade in goods and agricultural products,”- said the speaker, Latvian MEP Sandra Kalniete.

According to her words, this decision is not only symbolic, but also reflects the firmness of the EU's political commitments to Ukraine. “Through these unprecedented trade liberalization measures, we seek to help Ukraine maintain its trade position with the rest of the world. When we say that Ukraine is not alone in this struggle, we really mean it”, - Kalniete said.

The document should be put to the vote of the entire European Parliament on 19 May and will enter into force on the following day after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. As you know, the EU is Ukraine's largest trading partner, with trade turnover in 2021 accounting for more than 40% of the country's foreign trade. In its turn, Ukraine is the EU's 15th largest trading partner.

Reference source: Ukrinform