The European Council approved European Commission's decision on unilateral reduction of duties for Ukrainian goods in the European market.

“Started EU meeting with formal decision on unilateral trade opening for Ukraine. An immediate boost of €500 million for Ukraine business”, Swden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt tweeted.

The regulation granting unilateral trade preferences is expected to enter into force on 23 April, the day following its scheduled publication in the Official Journal, EU said in a statement later.