The Polish authorities are doing everything possible to reach an agreement with local farmers to prevent future blockades of the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski made the remarks in comments to an Ukrinform correspondent on the sidelines of the Agro & Food Security Forum in Warsaw.
Siekierski noted that Polish farmers who recently blocked the Medyka border crossing have presented their demands, which the ministry is currently addressing. He clarified that these demands are not related to Polish-Ukrainian relations but concern broader issues, such as the EU’s free trade agreement with Mercosur (several South American countries), animal products, and other trade matters.
“We are doing everything possible to prevent the border from being blocked,” Siekierski said.
Regarding the extension of visa-free trade between the EU and Ukraine, which is set to expire on June 5, 2025, Siekierski emphasized that Poland is keen to hear Ukraine’s perspective before making decisions. He highlighted the importance of Kyiv’s proposals regarding the limits of trade liberalization and the scale of bilateral trade.
Siekierski also stressed that there is no draft agreement between the EU and Ukraine on this issue yet, as “it is still too early” for such discussions.
The Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that Siekierski recently met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Vitalii Koval, in Warsaw. The two ministers discussed the future of agricultural trade between Poland and Ukraine, particularly after the EU’s autonomous trade measures (ATMs) for Ukraine expire. These measures, valid for three years, have allowed for more liberal trade conditions.
Siekierski indicated that agricultural trade with Ukraine would be a key topic during Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2025. The ministers also explored potential areas of cooperation in the agricultural sector, with Koval encouraging Polish businesses to invest in Ukraine, particularly in the food industry.
The next meeting between the two ministers is scheduled for December 11 and will be the fifth such meeting. Representatives from the agri-food industries of both countries will participate to deepen discussions and identify areas for collaboration.
The ministerial meeting preceded the International Agro & Food Security Forum 2024, organized in Warsaw by the Community of Producers and Customers of Legumes of Ukraine and the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. The forum was attended by representatives from 22 countries and 250 companies.
Source: Polish minister: Warsaw committed to preventing farmers from blocking Ukraine border
