Ukraine is determined to establish FTA with the EU on January 1, 2016

President Petro Poroshenko noted that Ukraine would not abandon its decision to implement free trade area with the EU on January 1, 2016. According to the Head of State, Ukraine is ready to hold professional economic discussion with Russia on the consequences of FTA, but it will not accept blackmail.

In the course of the working visit to Lithuania, the President commented on the aftermath of the session of the ministerial group on the establishment of deep and comprehensive free trade area between Ukraine and the EU held in Brussels on December 1. “Unfortunately, we have to say that the position of Russia was not constructive. We can emphasize that neither Ukraine, nor the EU will react to any type of blackmail,” the President noted.

“We have no problems in standardization and phytosanitary control. Moreover, if Russia was ready to discuss the damage, we would be ready to negotiate. But we are not ready to put forward absolutely baseless and meaningless accusations that it threatens Russia,” the Head of State stressed.

The President noted that starting from 2013, actual embargo and sanctions against Ukraine have already been operating. As a result, trade turnover between Russia and Ukraine decreased four times. “Today, the volume of trade turnover already equals not tens of billions, but hundreds of millions dollars. It is certainly harmful for our producers. But I would like to stress once again that Ukraine is determined to establish FTA starting from January 1, 2016,” Petro Poroshenko said.

“We suggested holding another consultation by the end of the year in order to demonstrate our openness. We are ready to prevent further enhancement of sanctions. We are ready to hold professional economic discussion,” the President emphasized.

According to the President, Ukraine will not allow the policy of sanctions to be used as an instrument of political influence. “Our political future will not be decided in Moscow. It will be decided solely by the people of Ukraine. As President and guarantor of the Constitution, I will do everything to ensure that,” he noted.

The President thanked the EU for completing the ratification of the Association Agreement by all member-states. “We are willing to carry out European reforms that bring us closer to the EU and meet aspirations of the Ukrainian nation,” the Head of State emphasized.

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