Koval: Return to Pre-War Trade Conditions with the EU Will Not Happen

The return to pre-war trade conditions with the European Union will not happen. Instead, a compromise solution is being planned that will take into account the interests of both Ukrainian and European farmers.

This is reported by AgroReview

This was stated by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Vitaliy Koval, during a televised broadcast. He noted that at a professional meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christoph Hansen, the parties discussed the real dynamics of trade and the key issues previously raised by the European Union.

“Previously, we saw more emotions from the EU side, and these emotions were fueled by some media outlets. The meeting was very constructive and was based on discussion. What is important to understand is that the interim positive result of such a first delegation is that a return to the trade conditions of pre-war times will definitely not happen,” said Vitaliy Koval.

According to the minister, it is necessary to develop a compromise solution and an interaction algorithm in the near future that will consider the interests of Ukrainian and European farmers in the context of anticipated trade, controlled volumes, and the continuation of access for Ukrainian agricultural products to the European market.

Koval emphasized: “It is important for us to maintain the sustainability of rural areas, and Ukrainian farmers in Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions must have access to the European market because it is premium. And I would like to remind you that 52% of all agricultural products we export from Ukraine go to European markets.”

The minister concluded that it is important to once again demonstrate that Ukraine is a partner with which the European Union can become even stronger and is not a threat to the agricultural policies of European countries.

It is worth noting that the losses of Ukrainian agricultural producers in the event that trade preferences from the EU are not extended could exceed 4 billion dollars.