Ukraine on May 29 accepted a request from Russia for dispute consultations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding restrictions on trade and transit for goods and services, according to Ukraine`s Ministry for Economic Development and Trade.
”On May 19, 2017, Ukraine received an official request from Russia for WTO dispute consultations regarding the `permanent practice of restrictions on trade,` as stated by the Russian Federation. Ukraine on May 29, 2017, accepted the request, stating readiness to conduct the said consultations, acting in accordance with the norms, principles, and commitments undertaken by the country upon accession to the WTO,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, the Russian Federation regularly infringes on legitimate rights and interests of Ukraine, in particular, by conducting targeted trade aggression against Ukraine.
”Russia`s WTO complaint is another stage of the economic, commercial and legal pressure on Ukraine,” the ministry noted.
Over the past two years, Ukraine has lodged with the WTO appeals against restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation on the import of railway rolling stock, sets of points and other railway equipment originated from Ukraine. It also appealed against limitations on transit shipments from Ukraine to third countries through Russia`s territory.
As UNIAN reported, the request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.
Ukraine`s Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko is convinced that Russia`s request to the WTO`s Dispute Settlement Body for consultations regarding the sanctions imposed by Ukraine proves that the restrictive measures introduced by Kyiv are effective.
