During a diplomatic meeting in the Hungarian capital Budapest, the ministers of agriculture from Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania took an unprecedented step by signing an official document with critical remarks about the current trade agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.
The key objective of the declaration is to raise serious questions about the mechanisms for protecting European agricultural producers. The diplomats insist on introducing special regional safeguard measures that would guarantee the interests of countries bordering Ukrainian territory.
The main concerns are related to excessively high trade quotas for certain agricultural products. Among the most sensitive goods are honey, eggs, sugar, and dairy products, whose liberalization could threaten local producers.
Experts propose specific solutions, including introducing minimum import prices and creating a compensatory fund for potential losses. The principal position is to ensure that Ukrainian production meets European quality and safety standards.
An important nuance in the statement is the emphasis that the countries are not against trade with Ukraine, but aim to preserve the competitiveness of their own agricultural farmers. They call for an in-depth analysis of all aspects of the agreement.
The diplomatic initiative aims to achieve a balanced trade agreement that simultaneously protects the interests of Ukraine and European producers. The ministers emphasize the need for a precise approach and sufficient time for negotiations.
The document represents an important step in the negotiation process, demonstrating a unified position of five Eastern European countries regarding agricultural policy and trade relations with Ukraine.