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 First of all, I would like to congratulate the Czech Republic on assuming the Presidency of the European Union. I also thank Commissioner Aston for her presentation.

While implementing the European Economic Recovery Plan, we need to retain open and rules based trade as well as to resist protectionist pressures both inside and outside of the EU.

The current uncertain situation in multilateral negotiations brings us to a point that requires us to intensify our efforts in the bilateral field, since that potentially creates the best opportunities for our economy.

Despite difficult outstanding issues, a free trade agreement with Korea - the first deliverable since the launch of Global Europe - could be completed rather quickly.

We need to continue this way, especially with India, Asian economies, MERCOSUR, and Ukraine. Advancing these negotiations could contribute to the recovery of our economy by obtaining access to the new markets for our business.

For many of us, Russia is a very important trade partner and also a major supplier of energy to the EU. Negotiations on the New Agreement with Russia contain two strategically important elements:

first, the principles and objectives of a possible future FTA, and

second, provisions for the energy sector.

Taking into account the recent events in the gas sector, establishing legally binding provisions covering the key principles of the Energy Charter would be the main tangible result of this New Agreement for the EU.

We have to renew our efforts aimed at creating a network of deep and comprehensive free trade agreements in our neighborhood, both the EUROMED and Eastern Partnership.

In this area, negotiations with Ukraine are the first step requiring particular attention. Negotiations with other Eastern partners, including Georgia, should follow.

We welcome the initiative of close coordination between the EU and the new U.S. administration. An enhanced operation of the  Transatlantic Economic Council is necessary in order to improve the regulatory dialogue. And yet, I think that the main strategic goal of our partnership should be creation of a Transatlantic Free Trade Area in the long run.

We still need to create effective mechanisms for dealing with China. The High Level Mechanism and negotiations on updating the PCA need more substance. Tackling government interventions, violations of IPR (intellectual property rights) and NTBs (non-tariff barriers) are key to success in our trade relations. 

Bilateral trade policy can contribute to achieving important goals of the EU agenda, such as energy security, fight against climate change and improving the access to raw materials. We encourage the Commission to further advance in these areas.

Last but not least, monitoring implementation aspects of existing agreements is most important in our agenda. In this context, I would like to mention an example of the law passed by the Parliament of Ukraine, introducing additional thirteen per cent import duties, and, thus, violating Ukraine’s international obligations. Thanks to the concerted pressure by the EU, the U.S. and Japan, the Law was vetoed by the President of Ukraine. I would like to thank the Commission for their actions, which contributed substantially to this veto.

If our trading partners violate trade agreements or restrict trade by any other unjustified means, we have to send clear political signals that such actions will not be tolerated. Countries seeking a closer relationship with the EU (especially EU candidate countries) must not undermine the EU’s economic interests.