Slovakia demands that Ukrainian grain embargo be extended, Ukraine disagrees
MOSCOW. Sept 1 (Interfax) - Slovak Parliament Speaker Boris Kollar has demanded that the Slovak prime minister join the Polish and Hungarian ban on Ukrainian grain imports after the respective EU embargo expires in September.
The ban will not apply to transit, Ukrainian media said with the reference to polskieradio24.pl.
Kollar noted that the ban on Ukrainian grain imports would expire on September 15 yet further plans of the European Commission were unknown. It is known, however, that Poland and Hungary would unilaterally close their borders to Ukrainian grain, he said.
The absence of such a ban may lead to bankruptcies of many farmers and a wave of protests, Kollar said. "People will start protesting in the countryside and will bring others to their side," he said, adding that he would also side with the farmers.
In turn, head of the Slovak Parliament Committee on Agriculture Jaroslav Karahuta said that Slovakia was "calm before the storm that will break out on the morning of September 16, that is, after the end of the EU embargo."
Grain elevators are full in Slovakia, and an influx of additional grain from Ukraine will have a negative effect on prices, he said.
Back on June 5, the European Commission extended restrictions of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seed exports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia until September 15 while allowing transit through those countries.
Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said on Friday that the five countries demanded that the restrictions be extended until the end of this year, while Ukraine was strongly against that.
According to Ukrainian media, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk asked Kollar to understand the threat further ban on Ukrainian agricultural imports would present to the security of Ukraine.
"I am asking you to understand that such restrictions not just contravene the EU requirements but also constitute a significant threat to the security of Ukraine," Stefanchuk said on a social network.
"The implementation of the aforesaid restrictions by partner-states will be both an unfriendly move and a threat to the Ukrainian agrarian sector at the most difficult moment," he said.
"This is the time for unity, not disputes," Stefanchuk said.
According to Ukrainian media, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal has discussed agricultural exports with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis.
"Thanked the European Commission for comprehensive support. Discussed Ukrainian agrarian exports. Closely coordinating the issue with the European Commission within the framework of the joint coordination platform. The stance of Ukraine is that unilateral restrictions by EU members are unacceptable," Shmygal said on a social network on Thursday.
Decisions aimed to develop alternate logistic routes are being considered among others, he said.
"The financial sector is another focal point. Thanked for the macro-financial support and the EU's Ukraine Facility of 50 billion euros to be allotted within four years. We are working to launch this program. We appreciate solidarity of the European Union and hope for its further unwavering support," Shmygal said.