A joint conference of representatives of the Ukrainian civil society and members of the European Parliament entitled “The prospects and challenges of the deep and comprehensive free trade area between Ukraine and the EU, which comes into effect on January 1, 2016” has been held in Brussels. The Ukrainian delegation headed by President of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Anatoliy Kinakh included members of the parliament, leaders of the national business associations, industry unions, industrialists and businessmen.
Vice President of the European Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki, representatives of the interparliamentary delegation for Ukraine and the European Parliament Committee on International Trade expressed support for the European intentions of Ukrainians and stressed the need for the entry into force of the agreement on a free trade area (FTA) on January 1, 2016 without further delays and making changes.
“Together with our European colleagues, we support the need for the full opening of the FTA in certain terms as it’s a unique opportunity for domestic producers to become competitive in the European, global sense. We also offer a more efficient cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, strengthening work in preparation for a visa-free regime with the EU. However, we ourselves should understand that where there are benefits there are risks as well. It is necessary to work more effectively to adapt the domestic economy to the European standards, hold its modernization as soon as possible. Therefore attention to this issue on part of the Ukrainian government, in particular in the framework of comprehensive state programs, understanding, support and the willingness to share the experience on part of the European side are very important now,” Kinakh said.
The Europeans urged their Ukrainian colleagues – people’s deputies and the government of Ukraine – to accelerate the adoption of all legislative changes necessary for a successful implementation of the FTA, the development of entrepreneurship and attracting foreign direct investment. They agreed that the European Commission on its part should also pay more attention to the planning and implementation of programs funded by the EU and aimed at supporting the development of industry, small and medium business, the export potential of Ukraine.
It was noted at the conference that the high level of trust and partnership does not remove from the agenda the implementation by Ukrainians of their own “home” task: overcoming corruption, creating an attractive business and investment climate, strengthening the internal market.
The European Parliament members approved the active work of the civil society in Ukraine aimed at expanding a dialogue with the authorities, highly appreciated the anti-crisis program of joint actions between businesses and the government, presented by the delegation the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, which was prepared by hundreds of industrialists, entrepreneurs and scientists who are members of the Anti-Crisis Council of Non-Governmental Organizations.
The issue of joint work on the successful launch of a free trade area with the European Union is now at the top of priorities in the country’s only comprehensive plan of overcoming the socio-economic crisis. The document proposes a number of practical solutions, such as the implementation of the state program on adapting the Ukrainian economy to the conditions of free trade with the EU, the immediate setting up of a certification center in Ukraine, using the experience of the Baltic States and Eastern Europe, the implementation of government programs to support small and medium businesses, industry and so on.
Following the conference, a joint communiqué was made, in which the parties reaffirmed their desire for cooperation, in particular, a more structured and regular interaction of public organizations with the governing authorities of the EU. Participants in the conference approved the creation of the National Forum “Transformation in Ukraine,” aimed at building a strong and constructive dialogue between all social groups and governmental structures of Ukraine and the EU. The Ukrainian side expressed conviction that the support of the European Parliament would encourage European industrial, trade and sectoral associations to more actively work with the Ukrainian colleagues, invest in the economy of our country.
