EU ROAD TRANSPORT AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE EXTENDED
On 1st January, the European Commission adopted a proposal (+ annex) for a Council Decision for the extension to the temporary road transport agreement signed with Ukraine. For reference, two agreements were signed by the EU with Ukraine and Moldova to allow Ukrainian, Moldovan and EU hauliers to transit through and operate between each other's territories, without the need for permits for these operations.
The Commission notes in its press release that the agreement with Ukraine led to a rapid increase in transport operations: in the first month after application, almost half a million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural goods were transported – a significant increase compared to the 320,000 tonnes of the previous month. Even once the Black Sea Grain Initiative was agreed in August 2022, allowing the export of limited goods by sea from Ukraine, exports via road continued to rise, reaching 640,000 tonnes in October 2022.
The current Agreement expires at the end of June 2023. The new proposal would see it extended until 31 December 2025. The EU Road transport agreement with Moldova was already extended in December 2022. The Decision needs to be approved by the Council before it can enter into force.
Source: European Commission