Kiev, Mar 17 (IANS): Ukraine and the European Union (EU) have extended a deal on road transport liberalisation for one year till June 30, 2024, the Ukrainian government press service has reported.

While commenting on the deal, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said it has "proven its practical effectiveness" in the first months of being in place, Xinhua news agency reported.

"During the period of its validity, the volume of bilateral and transit road freight traffic has increased by more than 50 percent," Kubrakov said.

Since the deal came into effect, the number of carriers crossing the EU border from Ukraine increased by 53 per cent year on year, Kubrakov added.

Ukraine and the EU signed the deal on road transport liberalisation, which is aimed at boosting Ukraine's export, in June 2022.

Under the agreement, the EU cancels the obligation for Ukrainian haulers to obtain special permits for transporting goods in the EU and simplifies the procedure for recognizing Ukraine's driving documents.