Ukraine’s request for consultations concerning the import bans on Ukrainian cereals imposed by Hungary, Poland and Slovakia was received by the World Trade Organization (WTO) (see EUROPE 13252/2) on the evening of Monday 18 September, a Geneva official confirmed on Tuesday 19 September.
The document sent by Kyiv must now be translated so that it can be sent to WTO members as an official document. Consultations can then begin between Ukraine and the three EU countries to try to find an amicable solution. In the absence of such a solution, Kyiv will be able to call for a panel to be set up.
The European Commission has not yet commented on the move, although on Monday evening the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, expressed his surprise at Kyiv’s announcement. “I’m rather surprised that Kyiv is going down this road, given the considerable efforts made by the Member States”, he said, pointing out that Ukraine’s export volumes via the EU had increased after the start of the Russian military invasion, despite the restrictions.
However, he said he was “optimistic” that the dispute could be resolved amicably.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko, also hoped that the three countries would “lift their restrictions” of their own accord in order to avoid time-consuming WTO arbitration.
The three countries concerned maintain their position. “We think that the reasons for protection measures are still valid. Prices of the grain are very high and we’re lacking the storage capacities for the farmers. The situation for the farmers is a very difficult one”, declared the Slovak Secretary of State for European Affairs, Peter Mišík, on Tuesday 19 September in Brussels. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)