Joint Operational Conclusions by the European Commission, the Russian Federation and Ukraine following trilateral talks on the Implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
The EU Trade Commissioner Malmström, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Klimkin and Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Ulyukayev held today in Brussels the fourth round of talks on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA) with a view to finding practical solutions to Russian concerns about the implementation of the DCFTA, which will be provisionally applied as of 1 January 2016. This is in line with the joint statement of 12 September 2014 and taking into account the 12 February 2015 Declaration in support of the "Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements."
Taking note of the current unsatisfactory developments of the trade flows, the participants have reaffirmed their commitment towards achieving practical arrangements that would contribute to maintaining open economic relations with a view to enabling economic growth.
During the talks, the participants exchanged views on the report formulated by experts after the meetings held at technical level on 7-8 June and 4-5 July 2015 on a common understanding on practical solutions to the concerns raised by Russia.
Taking note of the different views, the participants agreed to mandate the experts to continue the work at the technical level with a view to develop a blueprint by October 2015 with practical solutions to concerns raised by Russia with regard to the implementation of the DCFTA as reflected in the joint operational conclusions of 18 May 2015.
The participants agreed to meet again to take stock of the work in November 2015 to allow for a mutually agreed outcome before the end of the year.
7 September 2015
