Levin, Lugar Introduce Bill to Grant Normal Trade Relations to Ukraine

WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-IN, today introduced legislation to grant normal trade relations to Ukraine. The Senators contend that the Cold War-era trade restrictions that deny “most favored nation” trade status to imports from Soviet Bloc countries, which were established as a tool to pressure Communist nations to allow their people to freely emigrate and adopt democratic institutions, are no longer applicable to Ukraine.

“Since reestablishing its independence in 1991, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to creating democratic institutions and a free-market economy,” Levin said. “Ukraine allows its citizens the right and opportunity to emigrate; it has adopted laws protecting individual liberties and prohibiting discrimination; and it held a free and fair election in 2004 in which the Ukrainian people elected a new president. The United States can help advance this young democracy by repealing Cold War-era restrictions and welcoming them as a full trade partner in the international economic community.”

“Extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine over the last three months,” said Lugar, who served as President Bush’s personal representative during the Ukrainian run-off election last November. “A free press has revolted against government intimidation and reasserted itself. An emerging middle class has found its political footing. A new generation has embraced democracy and openness. A society has rebelled against the illegal activities of its government. It is in our interest to recognize and protect these advances in Ukraine.”

The Jackson-Vanik amendment was included in the 1974 Trade Act to pressure Communist nations to permit emigration and adopt democratic economic and political practices. Since 1992, Ukraine has been certified annually as meeting the Jackson-Vanik requirements, and the United States and Ukraine have had a bilateral trade agreement in place. The Levin-Lugar bill would make this trade relationship permanent and, in doing so, would stimulate further market reforms and encourage its continued commitment to safeguarding individual liberties.

In addition to granting Ukraine permanent normal trade relations, the Levin-Lugar bill urges the U.S. to remain committed to the democratization of Ukraine in the areas of emigration, religious freedom, restoration of property and human rights.

“The United States has a long record of cooperation with Ukraine through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction. Ukraine inherited the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world with the fall of the Soviet Union. Through the Nunn-Lugar Program the United States has assisted Ukraine in eliminating this deadly arsenal and joining the Nonproliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state,” said Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“In addition to welcoming the Ukrainian government to the family of democracies, we must also honor the Ukrainian people for displaying their commitment to democracy through peaceful demonstrations,” Levin said. “Free and fair elections were conducted only because of the courage and hard work of the Ukrainian people.”

A companion bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Sander Levin , D-MI and others.