Maintaining the safeguards for EU citizens, as guaranteed by the acquis, in the proposed DCFTA with Ukraine

13.9.2012

Question for written answer E-008089/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Amelia Andersdotter (Verts/ALE)

The recently concluded Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) negotiated between the Commission and the Government of Ukraine raises the following issue:

According to Article 133 of the EU‑Ukraine DCFTA as enclosed in the text communicated to the INTA committee, Ukraine shall ensure that its existing laws and future legislation are gradually made compatible with the EU acquis. This approximation will start on the date of signing of the Agreement, and will gradually extend to all the elements of the EU acquis referred to in Annex XVII of the Agreement.

Is the Commission satisfied that the absence of a deadline for implementation of European legal standards and protection in the DCFTA, in particular on the data protection issues generated by the free transfer and processing of individual data by Ukrainian processors starting with the date of entry into force of the DCFTA, will not pose a problem for European citizens whose data are transferred or processed under the agreement? What mechanisms will the Commission use to ensure that this is the case?

OJ C 308 E, 23/10/2013