Sayenko Kharenko’s counsel spoke at EBA General Meeting on the Association Agreement: practical aspects for business
On October 29, 2013 the European Business Association held a General Meeting on the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.
The speakers of the meeting, among whom were Valeriy Pyatnitsky, Government Commissioner for European Integration, Peter Balas, Deputy Director-General for external trade, European Commission, and Philippe Cuisson, Deputy Head of Union Bilateral Relations – Europe (non-EU) & Central Asia, European Commission, and the representatives of almost all spheres of business, led the constructive dialogue regarding the Association Agreement and highlighted their views according to the current situation and future perspectives.
Natalia Mykolska, Counsel at Sayenko Kharenko, Head of International Trade, spoke on dispute settlement and mediation mechanisms. According to Mrs. Mykolska, only the Government of Ukraine and the European Commission will have direct access to institutional framework, dispute settlement and mediation mechanisms provided by the Association Agreement. Nevertheless, the business may have an indirect access to those mechanisms through the governments.
“Business will not have only to lobby the Ukrainian Government or the European Commission to bring the case, but also will have to play an important ‘behind-the-scenes’ role in planning the legal strategy, developing position and drafting submissions”, – said Nataliya Mykolska.
Despite all the possible risks, the attendees believe that the Association Agreement will provide a huge boost towards the development of Ukrainian economy. The Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine is expected to be signed in the coming few weeks.
Nataliya Mykolska is named among top 2 lawyers in Foreign Trade by Ukrainian Law Firms 2013; recommended by The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers 2013, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2014, The International Who's Who of Trade & Customs Lawyers 2012 and The International Who's Who Legal: CIS 2011 in Trade & Customs.
