Ukrainian agrarian associations invite COPA COGECA to open dialogue on Ukrainian agrarian sector's integration into EU
MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum has invited the leading EU agrarian association COPA COGECA on behalf of several agrarian associations to an open dialogue with Ukrainian colleagues on pressing aspects of agrarian trade instead of lobbying the blocking of Ukrainian agrarian imports in the European Commission, the press service for the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) said.
The major refocusing of Ukrainian agrarian exports and transit on the European Union in 2022 was not a question of choice, but rather a consequence of the crisis, Ukrainian media quoted the address.
According to the Ukrainian agrarian associations, Ukrainian farmers and agricultural companies highly appreciate the resolute support by COPA COGECA and other leading European agricultural associations.
Those steps rescued the Ukrainian economy in 2022-2023, as the revenue from Ukrainian agrarian exports contributed 61% ($21.9 bln) to the overall Ukrainian exports in the first ten months of 2023, UCAB said.
Ukrainian agrarian associations noted that the crisis not just cut arable lands by 5.5 million hectares in 2022-2033 and deprived Ukraine of grain and legume harvest totaling 27 million tonnes in 2023, compared to 2021, but also seeded chaos and political discord between Ukrainian farmers and their EU colleagues.
"It is crucial that we do not fall into this trap. As a future EU member, Ukraine is committed to adapt its laws and institutional practices to the EU rules and standards. In turn, Ukraine hopes for openness to the dialogue and the search for joint solutions to enhance the mechanisms of mitigation of current crisis, which would be based on mutually advantageous cooperation," the address said.
UCAB urged COPA COGECA to establish open dialogue with Ukrainian colleagues before encouraging EU institutions to take any unilateral measures that might sever the lifeline of the Ukrainian economy.
"The Ukrainian agrarian community is ready for any form of dialogue, either by special consultations at the business level or involving officials from agrarian bodies of Ukraine, the European Union and member states," the Ukrainian agrarian associations said and proposed that the first session of the dialogue be arranged in Brussels in March 2024.