Piatnytsky : FTA agreement with EU larger and deeper than similar agreement with CIS
Interfax, Ukraine
Piatnytsky : FTA agreement with EU larger and deeper than similar agreement with CIS
6 January 2012
Kyiv, January 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Government Commissioner for Ukraine’s European Integration Valeriy Piatnytsky has said that the association agreement between Ukraine and the EU in terms of creating a deep and comprehensive free trade area (FTA) is larger and deeper than a similar agreement with the CIS countries.
"If we talk about the agreement [on a free trade area within the CIS], which will soon be submitted to parliament, because it is signed, then, in terms of its content, it, of course, is a slightly different agreement. The agreement with the European Union is [more] comprehensive," he said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Friday.
Piatnytsky said that trading rules within the CIS were not unique and that the agreement that was signed in October 2011 actually includes the same rules and basic standards that are applied by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"This is a certain step forward, because, unfortunately, not all CIS member countries are WTO members. These countries assume certain obligations," he added.
He said that if the agreement with the EU has any exceptions, they are the same for the entire European Union.
"If we talk about the CIS, there is a certain mosaic structure, which is different in each country, and it is difficult to anticipate how each country will apply these rules simultaneously. The EU is actually a single organism that universally applies these rules, and it has the institutional ability to do this," Piatnytsky said.
He noted that the agreement on a free trade area with the CIS does not stipulate the harmonization of legislation.
"In terms of consequences, the agreement with the European Union is leading to significant changes in the trade regime. The agreement with CIS countries will not have a significant influence on the change in the trade regime with CIS countries. I’m talking from a legal point of view, this, of course, will contribute to the development of economic relations," he said.
As reported, the prime ministers of the CIS countries, including Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, signed an agreement on a free trade area within the CIS in St. Petersburg on October 18, 2011.
