BRUSSELS, July 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia hopes that a three-party ministerial meeting to discuss Ukraine’s association with the European Union will produce a positive outcome, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Friday.
Ulyukayev, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klymkin and European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht will meet for three-party talks and bilateral meetings later in the day.
“Our attitude is very constructive. Undoubtedly, we want to search for solutions to the current situation that would be acceptable for all sides. We would like to once again demonstrate our concerns to the colleagues and suggest mechanisms for easing these concerns,” Ulyukayev said, adding that Moscow is ready to reconsider its position on the issue.
“The parties are ready to talk, to discuss and possibly change their positions somehow,” Ulyukayev said.
The minister noted that Russian authorities are concerned with technical regulation, sanitary and veterinary issues, as well as information exchange between the customs services of Russia and Ukraine. These issues could carry serious risk for both counties if the association agreement is ratified in its present state.
“Apart from that, there are issues, which concern imports from Ukraine to Russia, the possibility of displacement of Russian goods on European market and Ukrainian goods from the Ukrainian market. All that should be discussed,” Ulyukayev explained.
Wednesday, a high-ranking EU source said the association agreement may go into effect by November 1, the deadline for canceling many EU duties for Ukrainian goods, if Kiev ratifies the document by late September. The final step would be its ratification by European Parliament and all EU member states.
Late June, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the economic part of the association agreement with the EU, which includes provisions for the creation of a free-trade zone. The political part of the deal was signed back in March. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expects the country’s parliament to ratify the document later in July.
Russia previously expressed deep concern over the Ukraine’s signing of the agreement with the EU, as it could trigger an uncontrolled flow of duty-free goods and warned Kiev that it would be forced to protect its market.
