Agricultural development strategy to be Ukraine's main negotiating position at EU accession talks - minister

MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) - Agricultural is one of the pillars of Ukraine's economy, which generated 62% of foreign currency proceeds in 2023, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina said.

"Ukrainian agriculture has weathered difficult conditions and continues working, keeping the economy going," Ukrainian media quoted Stefanishina as saying at a presentation of the Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy to 2030 in Kiev on Friday.

Ukraine exported a considerable part of its agriculture products to the European Union, with which it has a free trade zone, she said, adding that the EU introduced autonomous trade preferences and increased Ukraine's logistics capabilities as the crisis began.

"Today, Ukraine proposes not only the agriculture development strategy but also the EU membership strategy," she said.

The strategy offered for the public's consideration includes commitments under the Ukraine Facility program, which envisages rather pinpoint systemic measures in the spheres of investments and restoration of Ukraine's agriculture, as well as restoration of Ukraine's economic welfare, she said.