Ukraine may file a lawsuit against Brussels and European Union member states at the World Trade Organization (WTO) if they do not lift restrictions on the export of its agricultural products after September 15, Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine, told Politico.
“With full respect and gratitude to Poland, if any bans are imposed after September 15, Ukraine will file a lawsuit against Poland and the EU at the World Trade Organization,” he said.
Ukraine’s trade representative insists that these restrictions violate the Free Trade Agreement, which has been in place between Ukraine and the EU since 2014.
“We do not intend to take immediate retaliatory measures, given the spirit of friendship and solidarity between Ukraine and the EU,” Kachka explained, adding that a systemic threat to Ukrainian interests would force Ukraine to take the case to the WTO.
In addition, Kachka told the newspaper that there is no evidence of price deviations or a significant increase in grain supplies to justify the extension of import restrictions. Kyiv has engaged in “constructive cooperation” with the European Commission, five EU member states, and Moldova, a key transit hub for Ukrainian exports to the EU.
“We have received significant support for ensuring better transit of goods through the territory of neighboring member states, including Poland and Hungary. In the last two months, we have made significant progress in cooperation with Romania on the transportation of goods from Ukraine,” Kachka said.
As reported, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that if Brussels fails to take action against Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Romania, which violate the trade agreement, Kyiv “reserves the choice of legal mechanisms for response.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry noted that Kyiv reserves the right to initiate arbitration proceedings under the Association Agreement with the EU or to apply to the WTO.
Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-eu-wto-poland-hungary-grain-curbs/
