Trade Representative: Poland Wants to Dictate Terms of Ukraine’s Accession to EU by Grain Demands

Ukrainian trade representative Taras Kachka believes that behind Poland’s demands for Ukrainian grain is its desire to control the terms of Ukraine’s accession to the EU at least in terms of agriculture. According to “European Pravda”, he wrote about it on his page on Facebook. “Finally, Poland told the truth about Ukrainian grain. It is not about this season, but about the conditions of Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” wrote Kachka, referring to the statement of the Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus. The minister was asked whether Poland would take any steps regarding Ukraine’s accession to the EU in connection with the conflict between Warsaw and Kyiv on agriculture import. Telus replied that Poland supports Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but with certain conditions. In his opinion, agriculture is an important point in the relationship due to the excellent organization of this sector in Ukraine. “We have to take a closer look at this issue because Ukrainian agriculture is a threat to the agriculture of the bordering countries, but also to the whole of Europe. Ukraine cannot enter the EU without conditions. There were conditions for our accession, there should be conditions for Ukraine,” Telus said. According to Taras Kachka, these statements mean that Ukraine’s entry talks on agriculture have already started with such “aggressive combat intelligence and complete antagonism on the Poland’s part.” “In fact, Poland uses liberum veto in respect of Ukraine without any explanation. Therefore, we will stand to the end that Poland’s actions with regard to Ukrainian grain are erroneous, illegal and harmful to Polish, Ukrainian and all EU farmers,” the trade representative said. As you know, the European Commission imposed a temporary restriction on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products to 5 EU member states - Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Those claimed that Ukrainian grain was damaging their market and farmers. In June, the EU executive decided to extend the restrictions until 15 September, promising that this would be the last such decision. For now, the institution says it has not yet made a final decision. On Tuesday the Polish government adopted a resolution declaring its intentions to extend the ban at the national level if it is not extended at the EU level. In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced an appeal to the WTO arbitration if Poland blocks Ukrainian grain exports.