Roman Shpek the head of Ukraine’s mission by the European Union noted that Brussels can start negotiations with Kyiv on free trade zone without official membership of Ukraine in the World Trade Organization but in the presence of working group as to the Ukrainian legislation on the WTO norms. He told Ukrainian journalists in Brussels.
According to Shpek, report of working group on Ukraine’s accession to the WTO is planned for February. “It is very important to carry out session of the working group in Geneva in the scope of Ukraine’s accession to the WTO and to give report to the secretariat. It will influence the beginning of the negotiations on free trade zone. If the report will contain the information that legislation of Ukraine is adapted that corresponds to the WTO norms, than it means the set questions are solved and they recommend Ukraine to the WTO.”
Shpek is convinced that to start negotiation on free trade zone an official membership in the WTO is not necessary. Not membership in the organization but legislation correspondence determines beginning of the negotiations.
Moreover he noted that mission works already with the Foreign Ministry, Economic Ministry, Justice Ministry and President’s Secretariat on relations of tactic and strategy of negotiations and on formation of negotiation team from Ukrainian side.
