Voice-SD Calls for End to Exceptional Trade Arrangements with Ukraine

Bratislava, 20 May (TASR) - Duty-free imports of products from Ukraine are destroying the Slovak economy, representatives of the coalition Voice-SD party stated at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that in order to protect the Slovak population and Slovak businesses, there's a need to put a definitive end to extraordinary trade arrangements with Ukraine and to find conditions that will not be destructive for Slovakia's agriculture, food industry and, in particular, its hard-pressed industry. "We're here to put pressure on the European Commission not to prolong the validity of these measures that damage Slovakia, which unfairly favour Ukrainian producers over our own," said party leader Matus Sutaj Estok, stating that Voice-SD doesn't want to allow unfair competition from Ukraine to destroy domestic farmers, food producers and some industries. The party doesn't agree with a further extension of zero tariffs and, in particular, zero quotas on duty-free imports from Ukraine for all goods and services. "This is something that is destroying Slovak industry and making it less competitive," stressed Sutaj Estok, adding that the party supports solidarity with Ukraine and humanitarian aid, but no measures should come at the expense of Slovak citizens and Slovak companies. The party's deputy chairwoman and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova stressed the need to return to the bilateral trade agreement with Ukraine, which would re-establish import tariffs and import quotas for industrial and agricultural products. "All agreements are supposed to involve solidarity, but above all they are supposed to show solidarity with Slovak industrialists, Slovak farmers and the Slovak economy, and this is how we will always act," said Sakova. am/df