Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR)

One of the most important pieces of legislation this year is to promote graduation of Ukraine from the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which limits trade between the United States and countries that do no allow free emigration of their citizens. Despite the significant progress in Ukraine in satisfying the conditions set forth in the Amendment, Ukraine is still subject to an annual presidential review and certification process. Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-CO) is introducing a bill to graduate Ukraine from the Amendment and grant it Permanent Normal Trade Relationship (PNTR) status.

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) urges the Ukrainian American community to contact their Members of Congress and bring this issue to their attention. Please write, fax, call, or email your representatives asking them to co-sponsor the PNTR bill for Ukraine. A sample letter is provided below for your assistance. Please refer to http://www.house.gov/writerep to contact your Member of Congress via e-mail. Should you have any further questions, please contact UNIS at (202) 547-0018 or email to unis@ucca.org.

SAMPLE LETTER

The Honorable (name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative (name):

I would like to draw your attention to Rep. Schaffer's bill regarding Ukraine's graduation from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. This resolution is crucial to Ukraine's further economic progress and strengthening of the U.S. - Ukraine strategic partnership. Receiving Permanent Normal Trade Relationship (PNTR) status would increase confidence of Western investments in Ukrainian markets and allow Ukraine to join the World Trade Organization. Ukraine has made strong efforts to comply with the conditions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Since its independence in 1991, Ukraine has one of the best records of religious and national tolerance in the former Soviet Union.

As a Ukrainian American, I am interested in the improvement of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States. Furthermore, I am also concerned in seeing Ukraine develop into a truly free, democratic, and economically viable state. As your constituent, I ask you to support this resolution. Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,