The European Commission, while developing new restrictions on steel imports, will take into account the difficult situation in Ukraine caused by Russian aggression in order to support Ukrainian exports, EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho said on Monday.
"Ukraine remains an important importer of steel to the EU, and we are making sure that it can take advantage of the special quota, and its exports to the EU can continue, even if their level is lower than in previous years. During the negotiations and at the time of making a decision on the exact quota, we will, of course, take into account the special and very difficult current situation in Ukraine," Interfax–Ukraine quoted the EC press secretary at a briefing in Brussels.
She was asked to comment on the consequences for Ukraine of the measures considered by the EU to limit steel imports, the overproduction of which in the world, according to the European Commission, damages the EU's own producers.
As The Financial Times reported, the new European restrictions could deprive Ukraine of about 1 billion euros of income from steel exports.
The European Union is currently considering an initiative to review the terms of steel imports to the bloc's countries. Starting from July 1, the EU intends to reduce import quotas for metallurgical products by 47% and impose a 50% duty on supplies in excess of this norm.
Pinho explained that the new measures will apply to all EU partners, in particular those with which free trade agreements have been concluded. They account for more than 80% of EU steel imports. According to her, only the countries of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), which are already integrated into the European market, will take advantage of a partial relaxation of these measures.
Quotas will be discussed individually for each specific country. "Specific measures" will be taken for some countries.
