EU demands three more reforms from Kyiv
In 2017, Ukraine will have to implement three more reforms stipulated by the Association Agreement with the European Union, as reported by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on European Integration, Olena Zerkal, in an interview with Yevropeyska Pravda.
"The Association Agreement specifies the key points which have already passed. For example, as for the technical regulation, we need to start negotiations with the ACAA (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products). We have to fulfil 4-5 items in order to begin these negotiations. This is a very important task if we want to facilitate the export of industrial products to the EU," Zerkal said.
It is also necessary to create an Agricultural Health Inspection Service. "The same applies to phytosanitary measures, the process of creating a supervisory body, its staffing, and so on, has taken too long already. It is in our interest to do this as quickly as possible in order to facilitate the appearance of our agricultural products in the EU market. These two areas as well as government procurement are the three key points which we need to focus on in 2017," the Deputy Minister emphasized.
She also expressed the opinion that some "progress regarding the ACAA" should start in 2017, including the creation of a governing institution, "which will contribute to the rapprochement of our systems with European ones in the fields of veterinary medicine and sanitation, and which will surely accelerate the appearance of our goods in the EU market.”
Moreover, she expressed hope that in 2017, Ukraine will sign the Open Skies Agreement with the EU. "We have reason to be optimistic. Recently, Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, promised that they will adhere to their position to exclude small airports from the agreement, remove the Gibraltar problem, and clear the way for our inclusion in the Open Skies," Zerkal added, noting that the British have already given its consent.
The ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU will be considered after the 15th of March in Holland.