Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have reached an agreement to update and extend the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement until the end of 2025. This extension is intended to continue facilitating the movement of goods into and out of Ukraine, especially in light of the ongoing disruptions caused by Russia’s military aggression.
The European Parliament supported an 18-month prolongation of the agreement on the carriage of freight by road, with a vote tally of 488 in favour, 137 opposed, and 34 abstentions.
Concluded in June 2022, the agreement has been instrumental in transporting essential goods, such as fuel and humanitarian aid, to Ukraine while also enabling Ukrainian exports, including grain, ore, and steel, to reach the European Union and other international markets.
Although the agreement was initially set to expire in June 2024, it will remain in provisional application pending formal approval from both the European Parliament and the European Council for its extension.
To address specific implementation challenges, the updated agreement stipulates that drivers must carry documentation authorising international transport. Furthermore, they are required to display a windscreen sticker indicating that their operations are within the scope of the agreement. A safeguard clause has also been incorporated, allowing for the suspension of the agreement in designated geographical areas if there is a significant disturbance to the local road transport market.
With the Parliament’s consent granted, the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement will now be forwarded to the EU Council for final adoption.
