The MPs of the inter-faction union UKROP demand to put as soon as possible on the agenda of the Verkhovna Rada the bills № 5561 and № 5562, providing removal of several restrictions on import and registration of used cars from the EU countries in Ukraine. The legislative initiatives, launched by the MPs from the “Ukrainian Association of patriots” together with the representatives of NGO ZAVTRA and community “Free people have cars”, are aimed at bringing the Ukrainian car market to the civilized standards.
This was stated by the head of the UKROP political council Taras Batenko at a press briefing in Parliament on May 23.
“We will fight to the bitter to bring these bills to the session hall, adopt them and put an end to insulting the Ukrainian society, when millions of people do not have financial possibilities to buy a used car,” said Taras Batenko. According to the MP, excessive customs duties and draconian requirements for compliance with European environmental standards have led to the actual absence of a civilized market of used cars in Ukraine, and current legislation paralyzes the citizens’ opportunity to buy better-quality used cars as for example the residents of the EU countries. Simplifying the procedures of import and registration of used cars is now being blocked by powerful lobby of Ukrainian automakers who earn huge margins selling cars at inflated prices. Meanwhile the authorities are massively spreading the information that limitations on environmental standards were introduced at the request of the EU.
“Lobby is a good word in all European democracies, but unfortunately in our country lobbyists are doing everything for the benefit of their business, in disregard of the ordinary citizens,” said the representative of the NGO ZAVTRA Mykhaylo Katruk.
The bills № 5561 and № 5562 allow to remove the existing restrictions on the import of high-quality cars from the EU. The documents provide not only extension of the reduced customs duties but also replacement of contrived environmental standards by technical inspection.
