Dutch companies exported more to Ukraine in the first nine months of this year than in the same period in 2015, according to European Commission figures.

In particular, there was an increase in the export of agricultural machinery, the figures, quoted by news agency ANP, show.

The total trading volume between the Netherlands and Ukraine rose almost 4% to €1.2bn. The treaty of association between the EU and Ukraine came into effect at the start of this year, cutting tariffs and removing many obstacles to free trade.

The Netherlands is the only EU member state which has not ratified the treaty, following the no vote in April’s referendum. The Dutch position is likely to be high on the agenda at the next meeting of EU leaders, which takes place on Thursday.