Ukraine objects to further delay of trade deal with EU

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Thursday that Kiev will not agree to further delay implementing the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) , which includes a comprehensive free trade deal, despite concerns raised by Russia.

"The free trade pact will take effect on Jan. 1, 2016," Yatsenyuk told a cabinet meeting.

He added that Ukraine is already getting prepared for functioning of the deal through implementing reforms in the agricultural sector.

"We do our utmost to bring the quality of our agricultural products in line with European standards. This is our commitment in the framework of the free trade pact," Yatsenyuk said.

The Association Agreement, which removes tariffs on around 90 percent of the goods traded between Ukraine and the EU, was signed in June last year.

In September 2014, the 28-member block has postponed implementation of the deal till Dec. 31, 2015, saying it needs time to discuss "whatever problem may arise" with Kiev and Moscow.

Russia has warned that the Ukraine-EU pact would allow European products to flood Russia via Ukraine without import duties as Kiev and Moscow have a free trade area within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Last week, Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizov appealed to the leadership of the 28-member block asking to postpone the deal with Ukraine for another year as controversial issues over its effect were not fully settled. Enditem