A Characteristic Trait Of Ukraine
A characteristic trait of Ukraine's export policy remains its inconsistency with the foreign policy priorities announced by the state: integration with the European Union, a deepening of co-operation with Russia and with the U.S. This is demonstrated by the analysis of the geographic structure of Ukraine's exports of goods. In 1999, only 18.3% of goods exported from Ukraine were supplied to EU member countries (while there was a general tendency toward an increase in the EU share)1, and the share of the former USSR amounted to 29.5%, this figure decreasing substantially
WTO mechanism and structures. Therefore, the development of the CIS sub-national structures is not very likely.
The trade with the EU is more restrictive, due to high tariff and non-tariff barriers faced by Ukrainian firms. It includes high import tariffs on tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes (HS code 24), preparation of vegetable, fruit, nuts (code 20), preparation of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs (code16), sugars and sugar confectionery (code 17), art of apparel & clothing accessories (codes 61 and 62), dairy products; birds' eggs, natural honey, other edible products (code 04), footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such art (code 64), and preparation of cereal, flour, starch/milk, pastry cooks (code 19). Problems with non-tariff barriers include issues with harmonization of technical barriers to trade and phytosanitary norms with EU that are not resolved yet. Given the larger size of the EU market and higher trade barriers faced by Ukrainian exporters to EU, it clearly points that the priority of trade liberalization policy should be given to improving market access to the European markets.
Unfortunately, Ukraine is put in a position where it has to make a choice of the integration strategy towards closer ties with one of the economic union that also limits (or even worsens) the ties with the other economic union. On the one hand, there is an uncertainty about the policy
WTO mechanism and structures. Therefore, the development of the CIS sub-national structures is not very likely.
The trade with the EU is more restrictive, due to high tariff and non-tariff barriers faced by Ukrainian firms. It includes high import tariffs on tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes (HS code 24), preparation of vegetable, fruit, nuts (code 20), preparation of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs (code16), sugars and sugar confectionery (code 17), art of apparel & clothing accessories (codes 61 and 62), dairy products; birds' eggs, natural honey, other edible products (code 04), footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such art (code 64), and preparation of cereal, flour, starch/milk, pastry cooks (code 19). Problems with non-tariff barriers include issues with harmonization of technical barriers to trade and phytosanitary norms with EU that are not resolved yet. Given the larger size of the EU market and higher trade barriers faced by Ukrainian exporters to EU, it clearly points that the priority of trade liberalization policy should be given to improving market access to the European markets.
Unfortunately, Ukraine is put in a position where it has to make a choice of the integration strategy towards closer ties with one of the economic union that also limits (or even worsens) the ties with the other economic union. On the one hand, there is an uncertainty about the policy