"Our priority is bringing Moldova and Ukraine closer to Europe, and that also means their faster integration into the European Union's single market. For example, the European Union already accounts for more than 50 per cent of Moldova's trade," said Minister of Economy and Industry, Erkki Keldo.
According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, Estonia's support for Moldova and Ukraine's European integration is unwavering. "Negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine must begin as quickly as possible, and we are working to ensure that the enlargement of the European Union is a matter close to the hearts of all member states. This affects the future and security of all of Europe," Tsahkna said.
The EU-Moldova Association Agreement entered into force in 2016, and the EU-Ukraine agreement a year later. They established the initial free trade areas between the EU and Moldova and Ukraine. Since then, EU trade with both countries has grown by over 150 per cent. In 2022, Moldova was granted EU candidate status, and in December 2023, accession negotiations with the country began.
"Already ten years ago, the goal was to gradually eliminate all tariffs and quotas on both sides, and Estonia has consistently supported this. The updated trade agreements provide economic stability to both Moldova and Ukraine and help them prepare for integration to the European Union," Keldo explained.
The agreements also create new opportunities for Estonian and European Union companies in the Moldovan and Ukrainian markets. For example, it opens up opportunities in Ukraine for the EU dairy sector. Additionally, the new trade agreement significantly increases tariff quotas for products like apples, plums, grapes, and cherries from Moldova to match trade volumes of recent years.
The agreement negotiations took into account feedback from EU member states and agricultural companies. It also emphasized the need for Moldovan and Ukrainian producers and exporters to bring their production standards in line with those of the European Union.
