By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukraine signed an updated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — aiming to strengthen economic ties with Europe, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Tuesday.
This is a relaunch of the 2010 agreement, adapted to the new reality, Shmyhal said, adding: “Step by step, we are making Ukraine a full-fledged part of Europe’s economy.”
He highlighted that the renewed deal opens new opportunities for Ukrainian businesses in large, high-income markets.
The updated agreement introduces modern chapters on e-commerce, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and trade and sustainable development.
It also includes revised provisions on trade facilitation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, public procurement, technical cooperation, and intellectual property protection.
Shmyhal added that updated rules on the origin of goods would boost Ukraine’s integration into European supply chains.
Ukraine also signed separate updates with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland in the agricultural sector to reduce trade barriers and expand market access for Ukrainian products.
The agreement is part of Ukraine’s ongoing effort to align more closely with European economic structures.