Introduction in Ukraine the most favoured nation treatment, that is, ordinary trade regime is preferential can not be considered sanctions or embargo, said Russia’s permanent representative at the EU Vladimir Chizhov.
MOSCOW, 13 Nov. The possible introduction of customs duties by Russia against Ukraine in 2016 does not mean the application of sanctions against the country, we are talking about normal trading mode that is known in international law most favored nation (MFN), said Russia’s permanent representative at the EU Vladimir Chizhov.
Russia and Ukraine are included in the free trade zone of the CIS, whose countries, except Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, zeroed out most of the export and import duties in trade among themselves. After the ratification by Ukraine and the European Parliament of the Association agreement with the EU, the Russian Federation expressed concern about the influx of duty-free EU goods via Ukraine. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has previously noted that the ordinary trade regime in relation to Ukraine will be introduced on 1 January 2016, following the launch of the economic part of the agreement Kyiv-the EU if the three parties fail to agree on the concerns of the Russian Federation for its market.
According to him, while in the EU is “not particularly worried” about the possible introduction of Russian customs duties for Ukraine. He also expressed regret that the outcome of the trilateral dialogue between Russia-Ukraine-EU is not living up to expectations. “We proceeded from the need to take action on our legitimate concerns in a legally binding form. There is a possibility to agree on individual technical matters, but in what form?” — said Chizhov on the TV channel “Russia 24”.
“But the status of these agreements — the Protocol on consultations — we are not satisfied with. Because it is only a political document and not legally binding. Our position is open, we were warned that if an agreement is not, and most likely, alas, will not, we will introduce what in the world is called most favored nation status. But the embargo, the sanctions — this is incorrect terminology,” — said Chizhov.
He reminded that Ukraine in the framework of the Treaty on the free trade area of the CIS, preferential treatment, and Russia has the MFN treatment with the vast majority of countries, including the EU. “The MFN treatment will bring them back (for Ukraine — ed.) on the General bar. The tragedy will not, I believe,” said Chizhov.
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of economic development Alexei Ulyukayev confirmed their participation in planned for 1 December in Brussels tripartite Ministerial meeting on the implementation of the economic part agreements on Association Ukraine-EU, however, said that chances to reach the end of the year agreement on the withdrawal risks for Russia on this issue are slim. Ulyukayev called a very small chance that Russia will not enter the food embargo and customs duties for Ukraine on 1 January 2016, and new sanctions by Kiev, he said, has made them miserable.
