Poland willing to help Ukrainian agricultural sector prepare for EU accession

MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Poland is willing to share its knowledge and experience with Ukrainian officials in preparing its Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry for joining the European Union, Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski said at a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador in Warsaw Vasily Zvarich on Tuesday.

"Minister Siekierski [...] emphasized that Ukraine is our strategic partner and we want to maintain a constructive dialogue to solve emerging problems," Ukrainian media quoted the Polish Agriculture Ministry as saying in a statement on its website.

Zvarich said he hoped for cooperation that would benefit both Poland and Ukraine. The agricultural and food sector is a very important part of the Ukrainian economy, and the revenue from the export of agricultural products makes a significant contribution to the state budget, he said.

In turn, Siekierski said that Poland's trade relations with Ukraine should be built in such a way as to support Ukraine on the one hand, and not to disrupt the market balance in neighboring countries on the other hand. He said he hoped that the ongoing working meetings of a team of experts from both countries would make it possible to develop a procedure for licensing Ukrainian exports to Poland. The first meeting of the team on this matter was held online on January 25, 2024, the next one is scheduled for this week, Siekierski said.

Ukraine's European aspirations were also discussed at the meeting. The Polish side is willing to share with Ukrainian officials their knowledge and experience in preparing the Agriculture Ministry for EU accession, the Polish Agriculture Ministry said.