Ukraine does not accept a model of membership in the European Union that would permanently limit the sale of certain foods on the European market. This was stated by Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky to Politico, after the European Commission presented a proposal for a special regime for the Ukrainian agricultural sector.
The Commission approved the proposal on October 6 as part of a policy review preparing the EU for future enlargement. The document states that due to the scale, structure and high productivity of Ukrainian agriculture, special arrangements may be required that would limit financial support and market access for sensitive agricultural products.
„For us, there is a fundamental difference between a transitional period and a permanent restriction. Ukraine is ready for the former. The latter would contradict the very logic of full membership in the European Union“, Vysotsky said in a written statement.
Kiev allows quotas, but not indefinite measures
Ukraine exports millions of tons of grain to world markets, and access to the EU is currently subject to a quota regime. In recent years, Poland and other countries have limited or blocked imports of Ukrainian grain, arguing the measures to protect their national producers.
Vysotsky said that Kiev is ready to accept the gradual introduction of agricultural subsidies, temporary quotas and safeguard mechanisms for sensitive goods. The condition is that all of them should be temporary and have a predetermined end date.
„Our goal is to achieve membership in a sector that supplies Europe not only with grain and other raw materials, but also with feed, ingredients, processed products and biofuels“, the Ukrainian minister said.
Brussels seeks balance between Kiev and European farmers
The European Commission proposes that instead of full access to the EU market, Ukraine be helped to restore its positions in traditional export markets in Africa and the Middle East. According to the proposal, this should reduce pressure on European farmers.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said that the special conditions are related to the need to protect farmers in the EU, but do not mean a rejection of Ukrainian membership. The European Commission envisages transitional arrangements in other areas, including the free movement of workers, services, financing and participation in joint programmes.
Vysotsky believes that Ukraine can be more than just a competitor to European producers. According to him, the country can help reduce the EU's dependence on imports of fertilizers, soybeans and feed ingredients, as well as facilitate access to export routes across the Black Sea. Kiev also sees opportunities for investment in the food industry.
Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania have been identified as the countries with the greatest progress on the path to membership. Individual roadmaps are being prepared for them, but without fixed dates for accession. The Commission's proposal is yet to be discussed by the member states and the European Parliament before it becomes part of the real conditions for the negotiations.
Sources: unian.net, euronews.com, pravda.com.ua