Ukraine and Poland report progress in talks on ending the border blockade / Article

The governments of both countries have long been trying to find ways to resolve food trade issues. After the meeting with Tusk, Shmihals announced that the solution to the blockades of Polish farmers on the border could be very soon.

“Today I can say that we have made progress in lifting the blockade, but the most important thing is that we have solved all the main problems that led to such blockades.

The plan is not being implemented as quickly as we would like, but there are positive trends, the pace of decision-making is improving. Therefore, it is important to maintain this momentum and move forward.”

“We are looking for good solutions for both sides. We have moved a step closer in the field of agriculture,” said Tusk.

“As we agreed in Kyiv, Poland has started a diplomatic offensive to block the import of grain and other agricultural products from Russia and Belarus. We have reached something equivalent to an embargo.”

The two prime ministers also discussed the security situation in the region, the possibilities of joint production of ammunition on the territory of Ukraine, as well as the possibilities of industrial project cooperation.

“Poland and Ukraine are strategic allies. [..] First, there are weapons for Ukraine, and we need more of them. We are working on it. It envisages, among other things, the establishment of military industrial enterprises on the territory of Ukraine and Poland,” Shmihals said.

“Ukrainian grain will not enter the Polish market. Our government has introduced a verification procedure for agricultural crops, corn, sunflowers and horticultural crops. They cannot be exported without a license.”

Meanwhile, European diplomats and politicians will have to sit down again at the negotiating table to renegotiate the import of Ukrainian agricultural goods.

After the objections of Poland and France, the other members of the bloc have agreed to revise the compromise reached only last week. This means that Ukrainian agricultural production will most likely be allocated smaller quotas for import into the European Union than has been announced so far. This could cause losses of approximately 330 million euros to the Ukrainian economy. Ukrainian grain is currently outside of any quotas. It is about other products.

In order to alleviate the already difficult situation of Ukraine, at least economically, the decision should be taken by the second half of April, when this term of the European Parliament will have its last plenary session.

There is not much time left, the pre-election atmosphere is already prevailing in the European Parliament. If, however, it is not possible to reach an agreement, the conditions that existed before the start of the war will come into force – trade is facilitated, but not zero tariffs.