Most member states supported the need to maintain the unity of the European Union (EU) regarding trade in Ukrainian agricultural crops, said Spanish Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas Puchades after the meeting in Brussels. He added that he was against unilateral moves in this matter, Reuters reported. Spain currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
A dispute over agricultural trade has created a rift between Ukraine and some of its strongest allies in the European Union after three member states imposed unilateral measures restricting imports from the war-torn country, Reuters reported.
The agency added that Poland, Slovakia and Hungary restricted grain imports from Ukraine after European Commission decided not to extend the sales ban to five countries neighboring Ukraine, including Romania and Bulgaria.
Ukrainian complaint to the WTO
Ukraine filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy announced on Monday. The reason is that these countries have extended the embargo on Ukrainian agricultural products.
When asked about this issue, government spokesman Piotr Mueller said that “our actions regarding the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain are justified.”
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO