Government approves five Customs Union agreements

Ukraine can join 5 international agreements of the Customs Union (CU). Government took the decision at it's regular meeting on Oct. 30, 2013. According to experts, international CU documents and Ukraine's accession to them is discussed at all Cabine meetings, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers informs.

On Oct. 30, 2013, four agreements and one protocol were reviewed. The Cabinet approved the following agreements: On application of special protective, antidumping, and compensation measures during transition period (dated Nov. 19, 2010); On sanitary measures; On veterinary and sanitary measures; and On plant quarantine (all three documents dated Dec. 11, 2009). The last document, which was supported by the government is titled, "Protocol of providing investigation bodies with data potentially containing confidential information for the purpose of investigations preceding introduction of special protective, antidumping, and compensation measures to the third countries" (Nov. 19, 2010).

Experts note the consistent application of special protective measures by CU member countries in trading with the third countries, as well as their expedited revision for application on the common customs territory of the CU.

Government analysts say Ukraine has voted in favor of joint trade policy, both with the European Union and with the Customs Union. 

Ukraine on Sept. 25, 2013 attended the first meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the level of Heads of Government.

The "3+1" approach of Ukraine and the Customs Union (initiated by President Viktor Yanukovych) has been introduced. Ukraine is today involved with the Eurasian Economic Commission as an observer, which was made possible due to arrangements made by presidents of Ukraine and Russia in May 2013.

Experts say Ukraine and the CU members have already started the practical application of the Ming Memorandum on deepening cooperation between Ukraine and Eurasian Economic Commission.

"Ukraine is greatly interested in the programs and projects implemented in the framework of the Customs Union in the field of transportation, transport/customs infrastructure (e.g., Russian initiative of transit by unified rules from Lisbon to Vladivostok), agriculture, science, innovation, etc. And nothing prevents Ukraine from joining the CU agreements and participating in relevant projects," Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said during his meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich at a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. 

"We are going to actively participate in the work, in particular, we are ready to review and join nearly 70 agreements applied in the Customs Union," Azarov said. 

Analysts say it is quite possible to eventually establish a continental Free Trade Zone that would include Ukraine, Russia, the EU, the CU member countries, and European Free Trade Association countries.