Ukraine exports over 136 mln tonnes of goods, imports 52 mln tonnes through Solidarity Lanes since 2022 - European Commission
MOSCOW. My 23 (Interfax) - The Solidarity Lanes have allowed Ukraine to export over 136 million tonnes of grain, ore and steel and to import over 52 million tonnes of goods, including fuel, vehicles and fertilizers, as well as military and humanitarian assistance since 2022, Ukrainian media said, citing the Polish media outlet pap.pl, which, in turn, quoted the European Commission.
"In 2022, the European Commission created the Solidarity Lanes together with Ukraine and Moldova to improve EU-Ukraine-Moldova logistics. These are alternative supply routes, which allow goods to be transported by rail, road and inland waterways. The lanes currently involve trade in all sectors," the media quoted the European Commission as saying.
The lanes go through the Danube region, Poland, the Baltic countries and the Adriatic region and supplement the Black Sea route unilaterally created by Ukraine in fall 2023, the European Commission said.
The Danube and Polish-Baltic lanes are crucial for all imports, while the Adriatic Sea has a special significance for Ukrainian agricultural exports, it said.
The European Union and international financial institutions have allotted over 2 billion euros for the lanes. Large-scale projects envisage the EU's funding of measures to improve navigation on the Danube River and the Sulina Canal towards the Black Sea. The European Union has paid for the training of river pilots. Information exchange with Ukrainian ports was improved. Cooperation of the kind raised security and shipping capacity of the Danube.
"Two years ago, Solidarity Lanes reshaped the logistic routes across Eastern Europe to keep Ukraine and Moldova's economies functioning and to prevent a global food crisis," European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean said. In her words, they have generated around 50 billion euros in company revenue and strengthened economic relations between the European Union and Ukraine.