by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

09 October 2013

The European Union’s (EU) preparations for the application of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova are going well, officials have said.

The EU’s Trade Policy Committee met recently to consider the main points of the Union’s Trade Policy Agenda, and to prepare for a trade-focused meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on October 18. Informal meetings of the Committee are organized semi-annually, and take place in the country presiding over the EU Council – in this case, Lithuania.

The meeting focused on the EU’s trade relationship with the Eastern Partnership countries. Committee members agreed that preparations for the temporary application of the DCFTA to Ukraine are progressing smoothly, but admitted that the end result will depend on the carrying out of the attached political conditions. The documents relating to Georgia and Moldova are being prepared for signing.

Members expressed concern that Russia is applying political and economic pressure on the Partnership countries and on Lithuania. The Committee welcomed the European Commission’s reaction to a Russian import ban on Moldovan wine, and discussed other possible actions to help the Partnership cope with Russian activity. Members also stressed that negotiating with Russia uniformly will be crucial in future.

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