Chernihiv wins from free trade with Europe

It was such conclusions that the participants of the meeting with the leading expert on the economy of the International Center for Perspective Studies Ildar Gazisulin, which took place on October 16 at the Pure Policy Press Club.

The meeting was held in the framework of the project “European Meetings in Polissya”, implemented by the Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. This is the second such event organized by the Regional Analytical Center.

Representing the journalists of the Kyiv expert, the President of the Polissya Fund Gennady Maxak stressed that such meetings will help journalists from the first mouth to obtain information about European integration issues that are priorities on the agenda of Ukraine and in the future directly influence the standard of living of ordinary Ukrainians, including Chernihiv. Such problematic issues include the deepening of Ukraine’s economic relations with the European Union, the creation of a free trade area between our state and the EU.

Ildar Gazisulin briefly acquainted the audience with the content of the negotiation process to create a free trade area between the EU and Ukraine, and explained the essence of this form of economic integration.

According to the expert, after the accession of Ukraine to the relations of free trade with the European Union, Ukraine can receive an annual GDP increase in 3%as a positive result. But, unfortunately, the dynamics of the negotiation process does not allow you to speak about the conclusion of the free trade agreement this year. Most likely, it will take place in 2010-2011.

I. Gazisllin also reported that the status of a free trade area can be several types. The most common (classic) free trade version, which will be abolished export and import duties, will not require significant institutional and legislative changes from Ukraine. However, it will neither have a significant positive impact on the increase in turnover between two partners, neither will the driving force of Ukraine integration with the EU. Instead, “in -depth free trade” (or FTA+) in addition to the abolition of customs tariffs will provide liberalization of services and relevance to the regulatory environment to the European one. According to the expert, although the “in -depth” version of the agreement and will require considerable financial and human resources, as well as institutional and legislative changes, it can become the basis for the country’s new economic strategy and enhance Ukraine’s integration with the EU.

The immediate benefit for the Chernihiv region from the introduction of the EU Free Trade Area with Ukraine can bring special programs of regional equalization provided by the Agreement, as well as additional state support funds that will be directed by the state to enter European standards of product quality.

In general, according to the economist, the free trade area does not have negative warnings that could be a burden for Ukraine. Free trade is new markets and new opportunities in Europe for Ukraine.