European agricultural commissioner says Ukraine needs assistance in transit through third countries

MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax) - The European Union and Ukraine need to find an effective solution so that Ukrainian agricultural products could return to their traditional markets outside the EU, European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said.

"Truth be told, the situation on the European market becomes difficult. So, it would be ideal to help Ukraine with transit and transportation through ports, so that products could be delivered to markets where Ukrainian traditionally sold grain. We need a positive approach, cooperation with Ukraine," Ukrainian media cited Wojciechowski as telling a briefing after a meeting of agriculture ministers in Brussels on Monday.

Wojciechowski admitted problems with supplies from MERCUSOR countries and cheap products from Morocco. "This is a matter of the trade policy, not the agricultural one. This is a serious problem, and we need to analyze possible actions to protect our farmers, our producers better," he said.

In addition, David Clarinval, representative of the Belgian presidency in the Council of the European Union, and Wojciechowski called for reviewing the Green Deal policy for farmers, alleviating administrative restrictions with a greater degree of autonomy for farmers, and continuation of subsidies, including those provided at the national level.