EU–Ukraine agreement on the carriage of freight by road

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road

Decision (EU) 2022/1158 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road

Decision (EU) 2022/2435 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISIONS?

The agreement aims to temporarily facilitate road freight transport between and through the territory of the European Union (EU) and Ukraine in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Decision (EU) 2022/1158 approves the signature of the agreement on behalf of the EU.
Decision (EU) 2022/2435 approves the agreement itself.

KEY POINTS

EU–Ukraine relations

EU–Ukraine relations are based on an association agreement (see summary) between the parties.
The EU provides civil assistance to Ukraine through the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine.

Solidarity lanes

The EU has adopted an action plan for EU–Ukraine solidarity lanes to help Ukraine’s agricultural exports and bilateral trade with the EU. Its main aims are to:

support Ukraine’s economy and economic recovery; and
contribute to stabilising world food markets and improving global food security.

The action plan includes the aim of swiftly concluding this road transport agreement.

Scope

The agreement grants additional rights of transit and carriage of goods to operators based in the EU or Ukraine.
It applies to transit and carriage of goods by road in return for payment.
The transport of goods by road within an EU Member State or between Member States is not covered by the agreement.

Road haulage operations

Road haulage operators can carry out the following without the need for permits:

journeys with freight where the point of departure and the point of arrival are in the territory of two different parties, with or without transit through the territory of a third country;
journeys with freight from the territory of one party to the territory of the same party, with transit through the territory of the other party;
journeys with freight to or from the territory of one party to a third country, with transit through the territory of the other party;
journeys without freight undertaken in conjunction with the journeys referred to above.

Drivers’ documents

Within the scope and for the extent of the agreement, driving licences and certificates of professional competence issued by either the EU or Ukraine will be recognised as valid by the other.

Oversight

The agreement sets up a joint committee comprised of members from both parties.
The committee supervises and monitors the application and implementation of the agreement and periodically reviews whether the agreement is fulfilling its objectives.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 5 December 2022.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Supporting Ukrainian exports and improving connections to the EU: EU strengthens cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road (OJ L 179, 6.7.2022, pp. 4–10).

Council Decision (EU) 2022/1158 of 27 June 2022 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road (OJ L 179, 6.7.2022, pp. 1–3).

Council Decision (EU) 2022/2435 of 5 December 2022 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road (OJ L 319, 13.12.2022, pp. 5–7).

Successive amendments to Decision (EU) 2022/2435 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

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