Ukraine and the EU extend “transport visa-free regime” for another year

UkrAgroConsult

The Agreement on the Liberalization of Road Freight Transport has been extended until June 30, 2024. The document, which was signed in June 2022, abolished the need for Ukrainian carriers to obtain appropriate permits for bilateral and transit transportation to the EU. This was reported by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

The relevant agreement was reached during the first meeting of the Joint Committee of the Agreement on Freight Transport by Road.

“Over the first year, the agreement has proven its practical effectiveness. During the period of its validity, the volume of bilateral and transit road freight traffic has increased by more than 50%.

And this is far from the limit of our growth. Together with our European partners, we are currently developing the necessary logistics infrastructure at the border. In particular, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have opened 2 new checkpoints on the border with Romania, as well as a control point on the temporary infrastructure for empty trucks on the border with Poland. In addition, we expanded the capacity of the Krakivets-Korchova checkpoint and streamlined the operation of the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the border with Poland.

Such projects help not only to support the Ukrainian economy and find logistics solutions for exporters. Effective implementation of the “transport visa-free regime” brings us closer to our main foreign policy goal – EU membership,” said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine – Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

After the signing of the Agreement in June 2022, the number of carriers crossing the border to the EU increased by 53% compared to the same period in 2021, and the number of crossings increased by 43%.

The agreement also simplifies the procedure for recognizing driving documents. Ukraine and the EU have exempted holders of driver’s licenses issued by one of the parties from the requirement to hold an international driver’s license.

As a reminder, the Agreement on Freight Transport by Road was signed on June 29, 2022. It helped to avoid slowing down the export of Ukrainian products through automobile checkpoints.

Tags: Ukraine, EU