EU states respond to threat of legal action over Ukrainian grain – media — RT World News
kyiv has threatened to sue Hungary, Poland and Slovakia at the World Trade Organization.
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are withdrawing from a European platform coordinating Ukrainian grain imports after Kiev announced it would sue the three countries for banning the import of Ukrainian products, media reported Monday Polish.
The Ukrainian government announced on Monday that it would file a complaint against the three countries before the World Trade Organization (WTO) after they announced unilateral bans on the import of Ukrainian seeds and grains. Earlier this summer, the EU allowed five Eastern European countries to block the import of these products for domestic sale, but declined to reauthorize the ban on Friday. As a result, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia imposed their own bans.
Citing an anonymous source in Brussels, Polish news agency PAP said these countries would withdraw from the European platform that coordinated the first ban. The decision has been made “out of caution and taking into account that Ukraine could use the information provided under the coordination platform against these three countries during WTO proceedings”, the source said.
Officials in Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava say Ukrainian agricultural imports are driving down domestic prices and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers. Speaking to Politico on Monday, Ukraine’s trade representative, Taras Kachka, dismissed these concerns, arguing that “Prices are global.”
Bulgaria and Romania have not imposed unilateral bans. In response, Bulgarian farmers staged a nationwide protest on Monday, causing blockages on dozens of highways and border crossings. In Bucharest, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said he would consider a ban if Ukrainian products started entering the country.
The EU has condemned these unilateral bans, as has Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Brussels’ decision not to extend the ban “is an example of true unity and trust between Ukraine and the EU. Europe always wins when the rules work and the treaties are respected.” he said Friday.
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