Representatives of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine met to discuss the EU’s comprehensive proposals to address the concerns these five Member States expressed regarding the deterioration in the situation of Union producers for specific products. As a result, the EU presented proposals to address these concerns, including a second tranche of agricultural financial support to affected farmers, exceptional safeguard measures on critical products, and measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via the Solidarity Lanes. However, the Commission’s proposed package is subject to Member States lifting their unilateral measures.
During the meeting, the importance of rapidly following a common EU approach was underlined to avoid multiple bans and solutions that could put the internal market at risk. The Commission took note of the views presented by participants and agreed to continue political consultations in the coming days in view of a swift solution.
The proposals aim to address the five Member States’ concerns regarding the deterioration of Union producers’ situation for specific products. The package includes measures to support farmers affected by the situation, safeguard measures on critical products, and measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports. The Commission hopes that Member States will lift their unilateral measures to implement the proposed package swiftly.
The EU must follow a standard approach rather than resorting to unilateral solutions that could damage the internal market. Accordingly, the Commission will continue to engage in political consultations with the Member States in the coming days to ensure a swift resolution.
Photo by Avinash Kumar on Unsplash
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