Poland's continued ban on Ukrainian grain unfriendly - Ukrainian PM

MOSCOW. July 20 (Interfax) - Poland's intention to continue blocking Ukrainian grain export to the European Union in the current critical situation is an unfriendly and populist step that will severely impact the global food security and Ukraine's economy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"We urge our partners and the European Commission to ensure the unimpeded export of Ukrainian food to the EU. This is an act of solidarity not only with Ukraine, but also with the world, which needs our grain," Ukrainian media quoted the prime minister as saying on social media on Thursday.

"Partnership between Ukraine and Poland should not be selective. Security should be the top priority, rather than electoral reasons. In addition, we ask the European Union to devise a compensation mechanism for Ukrainian farmers who have borne the brunt of export restrictions," Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko as saying on social media.

While Polish officials say they are not acting against Ukrainians, but in the interests of Polish farmers, the reopening of the border serves the security interests of the entire EU, she said.

"We urge our Polish colleagues to remember the principle of partnership. Blocking Ukrainian grain on the EU border is unacceptable," Sviridenko said.

As reported, Poland was the first EU country to impose a unilateral ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products in April in violation of the block's association agreement and internal regulations. Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia followed suit. On May 2, the EU imposed a ban on imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower from Ukraine to these countries and Romania, replacing the unilateral decisions. On June 5, it extended the ban until September 15.

Since then, the five nations have repeatedly called for extending the ban beyond September 15 and potentially expanding the list of restricted goods. Their representatives met in Warsaw on July 19 to prepare a statement for the European Commission on prolonging the ban and adding more goods to it.

Ukraine insists the ban should not be extended beyond September 15. In the event the extension does materialize, Kiev would consider reciprocal measures, Sviridenko said.