Governments of Ukraine and Poland take joint steps to unblock the border
The governments of Ukraine and Poland have discussed the issue of unblocking the borders for agricultural products and have a common vision in resolving this issue. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal after the Ukrainian-Polish intergovernmental consultations held in Warsaw on 28 March.
The Head of Ukrainian Government reminded that Ukraine had proposed a five-step plan to Poland and that there had already been progress in its implementation.
“Today I can say that we have definitely made progress in lifting the blockade. Our plan is being implemented. Not as fast as we would like, but we definitely have positive trends and dynamics,” he said.
In particular, Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine had agreed to the European Commission’s proposed restrictions on agricultural exports, including safeguard measures.
“Our country has also approached the European Commission with a proposal to conduct an urgent screening, i.e. analysis, of legislation in the areas of agriculture and transport, and has already received a decision on the priority screening of the section on agricultural policy. It is expected to be carried out at the end of April.
Ukraine also stressed the importance of the ban on russian and belarusian agricultural exports to the EU.
“We are grateful to the Polish government and the Sejm, which adopted a corresponding appeal to the European Commission. The initiative was also supported by the agriculture ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Our voice has been heard in Brussels. The European Commission has proposed a 50% increase in duties on agricultural products from russia and belarus, including grain imports. The decision may be taken in the near future,” Denys Shmyhal said.
The Prime Minister also informed about preliminary arrangements and a draft agreement on the need to introduce joint control at border checkpoints and the implementation of a customs information exchange project.
It was also proposed that Ukraine set up an anti-crisis headquarters to deal with the situation at the border. Work is already underway between the relevant ministries of both countries, with the participation of agricultural associations.
“There is active communication in Brussels within the framework of the Joint Coordination Platform on exports and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. Its last meeting demonstrated the readiness of the parties to develop joint solutions,” the Prime Minister stressed.
The fifth step in resolving this issue is the free passage of not only ammunition and humanitarian aid, but also fuel across the border. “Poland has included border crossings and adjacent roads in the list of critical infrastructure facilities. We have done the same,” said Denys Shmyhal.