The European Parliament has lifted its opposition to lifting restrictions on imports of textiles from Uzbekistan by a strong majority of votes (564 in favour). The restrictions were due to be lifted in 2011, but the legislative body withheld its consent until the International Labour Organization be let into the …
Ukraine, Russia & CIS
Human Rights Watch urges European Parliament to reject Uzbekistan textiles protocol
The European Union’s plans to relax its restrictions on imports of textiles from the Central Asian country Uzbekistan are under criticism by major human rights organisations. In 2011, the European Parliament refused to endorse a textiles protocol attached to a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the autocratic and very closed former Soviet republic. …
Russia requests establishment of panel on EU antidumping measures
Russia has requested that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to settle a dispute it launched in 2015 on antidumping measures in the EU concerning fertilisers and metals products (background here). At stake are the EU’s so-called cost-adjustment methodologies, which have been rebuffed by the WTO in a …
Dutch government extends deadline to reach deal over Ukraine agreement
In a letter to the lower house of the Dutch Parliament, the coalition government led by Mark Rutte has indicated it will be taking the time necessary to broker a deal with its opposition so as to be able to enact the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The move …
Dutch government wrangling with opposition over support for Ukraine Association deal
Today, the Dutch government decided to postpone a decision on whether to take the final steps to enact the EU Ukraine Association Agreement. It has set a 1 November deadline for a final decision and is ready to revoke its support for the deal should the Parliament reject supporting a compromise …
Last-ditch attempts to salvage Ukraine Association deal in Netherlands
The EU Ukraine Association Agreement, signed in 2014, and already partially in force, is at risk. The Dutch parliament is scrambling for a way to get the deal ratified despite a negative vote during a referendum in April 2016, and following a rebuff by the Council to Dutch requests for a common …
Modest extra market openings offered to Ukraine
Ukraine received no concrete answer on the prospects for its trade agreement with the EU, given the uncertainty over the Netherlands ratifying their Association Agreement, during a visit by Cecilia Malmström to Kyiv on Friday (30 September 2016). But Ukraine received a few goodies to keep it happy: further market openings for its exporters …
EU-Russia WTO cases: where we stand
Netherlands and Ukraine Association Agreement – What to expect next?
Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Dutch parliament’s lower house that he didn’t think it very likely that the Netherlands would ratify the EU Ukraine Association agreement. So, is this the end of the deal? Not quite yet: negotiations with the EU and Ukraine have only recently begun. Should the Dutch follow through …
European Parliament prepares to ease imports of Uzbek cotton and textiles
The European Parliament is moving to endorse a 2011 EU Uzbekistan textiles agreement it had previously rejected. Uzbekistan came under fire for engaging in child labour and forced labour in its cotton and fabrics industry. But reported progress on that front and an EU desire to deepen its footprint in Central Asia have contributed …
