 |
| The EU continues to call on Russia to resume the Black Sea Grains Initiative. (Source: United Nations) |
Mr. Dombrovskis, who is also the European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner, stressed that Russia's restrictions on the transport of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea are creating many problems for Kiev and for many developing countries.
Speaking at the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting, he said: "We support all efforts of the United Nations and Turkey regarding the Black Sea Grains Initiative."
At the same time, he said the EU is providing alternative trade routes, known as solidarity routes, to Ukraine for the export of grain and other commodities. The official said that since the Black Sea agreement expired, about 45 million tonnes of grain, oilseeds and related products have been exported via alternative routes through Poland and Romania, providing a vital lifeline for Ukraine.
The EU is supporting Ukraine through defense, financial and other aid aimed at pushing Russian forces back from Ukraine’s international border, Dombrovskis said, but he said Europe is concerned that some countries, including China and India, are not yet responding to Western sanctions against Russia.
In related news, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized five EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary) for extending a ban on Kiev’s grain imports to protect their agricultural sector. “We consider it absolutely unacceptable to continue imposing trade restrictions on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine after the EC ban expires on September 15,” the statement said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also called on the EU and other countries to take a balanced decision on the issue. Earlier, in May, the EC imposed a ban on grain exports from Ukraine to five European countries.
Source
Comment (0)