Login
Login

Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area

{{Short description|Free trade areas made between the EU, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine}}

[[File:EU DCFTA EFTA.svg|thumb|340px|{{Leftlegend|#3f48cc|European Union}}

{{Leftlegend|#3dc1ed|EFTA states participating in the EU's internal market with exceptions: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland}}

{{Leftlegend|#48cc3f|DCFTA states with access to the EU's internal market in selected sectors: Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine}}]]

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) are three free trade areas established between the European Union, and Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine respectively. The DCFTAs are part of each country's EU Association Agreement. They allow Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine access to the European Single Market in selected sectors and grant EU investors in those sectors the same regulatory environment in the associated country as in the EU. The agreements with Moldova and Georgia have been ratified and officially entered into force in July 2016, although parts of them were already provisionally applied. The agreement with Ukraine was provisionally applied since 1 January 2016 and formally entered into force on 1 September 2017.

Unlike standard free trade areas, the DCFTA is aimed to offer the associated country the "four freedoms" of the EU Single Market: free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. Movement of people however, is in form of visa-free regime for short stay travel, while movement of workers remains within the remit of the EU Member States.http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/ukraine/documents/virtual_library/vademecum_en.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} The DCFTA is an "example of the integration of a Non-EEA-Member into the EU Single Market".

The European Parliament passed a resolution in 2014 stating that "pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - like any other European state - have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the Union provided that they adhere to the principles of democracy, respect fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and ensure the rule of law", thus formally recognizing the possibility of a future EU membership of the three countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2014-0009|title= European Parliament resolution of 17 July 2014 on Ukraine (2014/2717(RSP))|date=2014-07-17|accessdate=2015-07-20|publisher=European Parliament|quote=pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – like any other European state - have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the Union provided that they adhere to the principles of democracy, respect fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and ensure the rule of law;}}

DCFTA with Georgia

{{See also|European Union–Georgia relations}}

DCFTA with Moldova

{{Main|European Union–Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area}}

DCFTA with Ukraine

{{Main|Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement}}

= Background =

File:Euromaidan 01.JPG]]

While work on signing a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU first began in 1999,{{Cite web |title=EU-Ukraine Summits: 16 Years of Wheel-Spinning {{!}} The Ukrainian Week |url=https://ukrainianweek.com/eu-ukraine-summits-16-years-of-wheel-spinning/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |language=en-US}} formal negotiations between the Ukrainian government and the EU Trade Commissioner were not launched until 18 February 2008.[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/18/europe/EU-FIN-ECO-EU-Ukraine.php EU launches talks on free trade agreement with Ukraine], International Herald Tribune As of May 2011 there remained three outstanding issues to be resolved in the free trade deal: quotas on Ukrainian grain exports, access to the EU's services market and geographical names of Ukrainian commodities. Aside from these issues, the deal was ready.{{Cite web |last=GRAIN |title=Three outstanding issues remain in FTA agreement between Ukraine, EU, says Ukrainian PM |url=https://www.bilaterals.org/?three-outstanding-issues-remain-in |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.bilaterals.org |language=en}} Despite those outstanding issues, Ukraine was ready to sign the agreement as it stood. Although it wanted stronger wording on enlargement prospects and access to the EU market for its truckers, Ukraine had more than many other candidates at the equivalent stage of the process. The finalised agreement was initialed on 19 July 2012.{{cite web|url=http://un.ua/eng/article/401526.html|title=Ukraine, EU Initial Deep And Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement With EU|publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=20 July 2012|accessdate=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728233217/http://un.ua/eng/article/401526.html|archive-date=28 July 2012|url-status=dead}} Ratification of the DCFTA, like the AA, has been stalled by the EU over concerns over the rule of law in Ukraine.{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=2012-11-16 |title=Ukraine's jailed Tymoshenko calls off hunger strike - Nov. 16, 2012 |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/yulia-tymoshenko/ukraines-jailed-tymoshenko-calls-off-hunger-strike-316252.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Kyiv Post}}{{Cite web |last=Interfax-Ukraine |date=2012-07-20 |title=EU leaders: Ratification of Association Agreement and DCFTA depends on settlement of Tymoshenko-Lutsenko issue - Jul. 20, 2012 |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/eu-leaders-ratification-of-association-agreement-a-310272.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Kyiv Post}}[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/123206/ Ukraine's Lutsenko jailed for 4 years (updated)], Kyiv Post (27 February 2012) This includes the application of selective justice, as well as amending electoral laws. As a result, the role of Ukrainian oligarchs in sanctioning the agreement was also questioned.{{cite web |url=http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3972/ukraines-eu-deal-good-or-bad-for-the-oligarchs |title=Ukraine's EU deal: good or bad for the oligarchs? |last1=Kościński |first1=Piotr |last2=Vorobiov |first2=Ievgen |date=20 August 2013 |accessdate=21 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826113833/http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3972/ukraines-eu-deal-good-or-bad-for-the-oligarchs |archivedate=26 August 2013 }}

If Ukraine would choose the agreement, the Eurasian Economic Commission's Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia would withdraw from free trade agreements with the country, according to Russian presidential advisor Sergei Glazyev.{{cite news |url=http://rbth.co.uk/news/2013/08/21/customs_union_may_withdraw_from_fta_with_ukraine_if_kyiv_signs_associati_29076.html |title=Customs Union may withdraw from FTA with Ukraine if Kyiv signs association agreement with EU |work=Interfax |publisher=Russia Beyond the Headlines |date=21 August 2013 |accessdate=10 December 2013}} However, on 21 November 2013 a Ukrainian government decree suspended preparations for signing the agreement that was scheduled to be signed during a 28–29 November 2013 EU summit in Vilnius, and it was not signed.{{efn|Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated that the problem that finally blocked the EU deal were conditions proposed for an International Monetary Fund loan being negotiated at the same time, which would require big budget cuts and a 40% increase in gas bills.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/23/world/europe/ukraine-blames-imf-for-collapse-of-accord-with-european-union.html |title=Ukraine Blames I.M.F. for Halt to Agreements With Europe |author=David M. Herszenhorn |newspaper=New York Times |date=22 November 2013 |accessdate=10 December 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/10469065/Historic-defeat-for-EU-as-Ukraine-returns-to-Kremlin-control.html |title=Historic defeat for EU as Ukraine returns to Kremlin control |author=Ambrose Evans-Pritchard |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=22 November 2013 |accessdate=10 December 2013}} On 7 December 2013 the IMF clarified that it was not insisting on a single-stage increase in natural gas tariffs in Ukraine by 40%, but recommended that they be gradually raised to an economically justified level while compensating the poorest segments of the population for the losses from such an increase by strengthening targeted social assistance.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179958.html MF not insisting on single-stage increase in tariffs, says resident representative in Ukraine], Interfax-Ukraine (7 December 2013) The same day IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Jerome Vacher stated that this particular IMF loan is worth 4 billion US Dollars and that it would be linked with "policy, which would remove disproportions and stimulated growth".[http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/imf_links_loan_amount_to_ukraine_with_reforms_314404 IMF links loan amount to Ukraine with reforms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125163213/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/imf_links_loan_amount_to_ukraine_with_reforms_314404 |date=2014-01-25 }}, Ukrinform (7 December 2013)}}{{efn|Ukraine and the EU started "conducting technical preparations for the upcoming dialogue between Ukraine and the EU on certain aspects of the implementation of an Association Agreement" on 5 December 2013.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179550.html Kyiv, Brussels conduct technical discussion of future EU-Ukraine dialogue on AA], Interfax-Ukraine (5 December 2013)}}{{Cite web |title=EU Commissioner Fule expects Rada to pass European integration bills on November 21 |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/175853.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html|publisher=aljazeera.com|accessdate=21 November 2013}}{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian government issues decree to suspend preparations for signing of association agreement with EU |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176073.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Rada votes down all bills on allowing Tymoshenko's medical treatment abroad |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/175989.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Cox-Kwasniewski mission to continue until Eastern Partnership Summit |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176135.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ukraine has no alternative but European integration - Yanukovych |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176156.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-fails-to-sign-landmark-deal-at-eu-summit/ Ukraine fails to sign landmark deal at EU summit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413190006/http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-fails-to-sign-landmark-deal-at-eu-summit/ |date=2020-04-13 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013){{Cite web |title=Barroso: EU to continue its dialog with Ukraine on principles of mutual respect, transparency and responsibility |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/177747.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/eu-and-ukraine-say-door-still-open-for-future-trade-pact/ EU and Ukraine say ‘door still open’ for future trade pact] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023010641/https://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/eu-and-ukraine-say-door-still-open-for-future-trade-pact |date=2020-10-23 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013) The decision to put off signing the association agreement led to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, called Euromaidan.{{cite news |url=http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=34172 |title=Ukraine still wants historic pact with EU |work=Oman Observer |accessdate=27 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125161035/http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=34172 |archivedate=25 January 2014 }}{{Cite news |date=2013-12-09 |title=Ukraine police move on protesters and opposition party |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25307255 |access-date=2023-03-29}}

During the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga on 22 May 2015, the EU and its partners declared that the 'provisional application' of the DCFTA will start on 1 January 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/workarea/downloadAsset.aspx?id=40802196824 |title=Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership summit (Riga, 21-22 May 2015) |publisher=European Council |date=22 May 2015 |accessdate=13 July 2015}} However, the Riga Declaration also stated that "constructive efforts in the trilateral consultations on EU-Ukraine DCFTA implementation (...) are important", which Anders Åslund, Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council, interpreted as meaning Russia (that has been militarily intervening in Ukraine ever since the February 2014 Revolution) would have to give consent first.{{Cite web |url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-disastrous-eu-summit-on-the-european-partnership |title=The Disastrous EU Summit on the European Partnership |author=Anders Åslund |author-link=Anders Åslund |work=Atlantic Council website |publisher=Atlantic Council |date=26 May 2015 |accessdate=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716171147/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-disastrous-eu-summit-on-the-european-partnership |archive-date=16 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}

According to the EaP Civil Society Forum, the EU plans, in 2017–2020 to shift the focus of its assistance for 2017–20 to the implementation of the DCFTA to ensure legislation and parameters align with EU standards.http://eap-csf.eu/wp-content/uploads/Recommendations-from-the-8th-AA-of-the-EaPCSF.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}

= Effects =

The EU-Ukraine DCFTA provisionally entered into force on 1 January 2016. According to European Commission, "The DCFTA will offer Ukraine a framework for modernising its trade relations and for economic development by the opening of markets via the progressive removal of customs tariffs and quotas, and by an extensive harmonisation of laws, norms and regulations in various trade-related sectors, creating the conditions for aligning key sectors of the Ukrainian economy to EU standards." "Unlike classical FTAs, it provides for both the freedom of establishment in services and non-services sectors, subject to limited reservations, and the expansion of the internal market for a set of key services sectors once Ukraine effectively implements the EU-acquis." Furthermore, Ukraine is "granted access to the EU internal market for the sectors concerned", which results in "an unprecedented level of integration".

Cancelled DCFTAs

= Armenia =

{{Main|EU–Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement#Cancellation of Association Agreement}}

{{See also|Armenia–European Union relations}}

In addition to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, Armenia was also set to sign an Association Agreement with the EU, however, Armenia suddenly broke off negotiations in 2013 to pursue membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.{{cite web|title= Armenia: Balancing Act Between Russia and Europe|url = https://www.euractiv.com/section/armenia/news/armenia-balancing-act-between-russia-and-europe// |work= Euractiv | publisher = Euractiv News Agency|accessdate=3 October 2018| date =3 October 2018}} Following a period of brief uncertainty between the EU and Armenian government, bilateral negotiations resumed on restructuring the relationship between Armenia and the EU.{{cite web|title= New Opportunities in Armenian-EU Relations|url = http://www.ponarseurasia.org/memo/new-opportunities-armenian-eu-relations |work= PONARS | publisher = PONARS Eurasia|accessdate=19 July 2019| date =19 July 2019}} After extensive negotiations, Armenia and the EU finalized the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in November 2017, deepening political and economic ties between them.{{cite web|title= Armenia-EU finalize new deal|url = http://asbarez.com/160565/eu-armenia-finalize-new-deal-on-closer-ties/ |work= Asbarez | publisher = Asbarez News Agency|accessdate=1 November 2018| date =1 November 2018}} The new Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement can be seen as a "lite" version of the DCFTA, in which 96% of Armenian goods may enter the EU's single market with zero tariffs. As of 2019, the EU is Armenia's biggest export market.{{Cite web|url=https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/armenia_en|title=EU trade relations with Armenia|website=policy.trade.ec.europa.eu}} There are several political parties in Armenia which are opposed to Armenia's current membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Bright Armenia, the Free Democrats and the European Party of Armenia for example, support Armenia's withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union and wish to begin renegotiating an Association Agreement including a DCFTA between the EU and Armenia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aravot-en.am/2017/03/10/191379/|title='Armenia must withdraw from EaEU:' "Free Democrats" campaign kicks off from Arabkir | www.aravot-en.am}}

On 26 March 2025, Armenia's parliament adopted a bill calling on the Armenian government to begin the process of gaining membership of the EU. This followed with renewed calls for Armenia to sign a DCFTA with the EU.[https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eastern-partnership-civil-society-forum-welcomes-launch-of-armenias-accession-process-to-european-union/ Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum welcomes launch of Armenia's accession process to European Union]

Proposed DCFTAs

  • In 2015, former Commissioner Cecilia Malmström proposed to start negotiations for a DCFTA with Morocco and Tunisia.{{Cite web |url=http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/july/tradoc_153621.pdf |title=Speech Malmström |access-date=2015-07-16 |archive-date=2016-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220205015/http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/july/tradoc_153621.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • In December 2016, the European Commission released an assessment proposing to update and modernize the EU-Turkey Customs Union agreement.{{cite web |title=Turkey - Trade - European Commission |url=https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/turkey/#splashbox |website=ec.europa.eu |accessdate=13 March 2020}} The report concludes with two options; Enhanced Commercial Framework (ECF) or Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).{{cite web |title=Study of the EU-Turkey |url=https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/january/tradoc_155240.pdf |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=13 March 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926193537/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/january/tradoc_155240.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Implementation timeline

See also

{{Portal|Europe|European Union}}

Notes

{{notelist|2}}

References

{{Reflist|2|refs=[https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/tradoc_150981.pdf EU–Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area]. eeas.europa.eu.{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/ukraine/|title = EU–Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area}}}}

{{Foreign relations of the European Union 2}}

{{European Union candidates|state=collapsed}}

Category:Foreign trade of the European Union

Category:Third-country relations of the European Union

Category:Ukraine–European Union relations

Category:Georgia (country)–European Union relations

Category:Moldova–European Union relations

Category:Armenia–European Union relations

Category:Free trade agreements

Category:Free-trade areas

Category:European integration