Germany and Spain criticize the European Commission for restricting imports from Ukraine

The European Commission’s decision to extend restrictions on imports of certain Ukrainian agricultural products has drawn criticism from governments in Berlin and Madrid. This is stated in the publication Euractiv.

German Minister of Agriculture Jem Ozdemir sharply criticized the extension of the restrictions. He said that the European Commission’s decision “not only takes away our European solidarity with Ukraine, but also plays into Putin’s hands.”

After Russian President Vladimir Putin “has done everything to divide the international community and cause economic damage to Ukraine,” EU countries should stick together and support the war-torn country, Ozdemir added.

The minister, who represents the German Green Party, also emphasized the need to “urgently return to a coordinated and joint approach by the Commission and member states to ensure the functioning of the EU single market.”

Vice President and Minister of Economy of Spain Nadia Calvigno noted that Ukrainian imports could fill the grain shortage in Spain caused by the drought.

“The possibility of exporting grain from Ukraine is a very important factor for the stability of food markets at the international level,” she told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.

The minister added that this is especially important given “the current context of drought experienced by some European countries, such as Spain.”

On the other hand, the Spanish national farmers’ association ASAJA last month called on the government to “take a clear position in defense of the interests of the Spanish grain sector… together with other European countries.”

While Spanish crops have suffered from the drought, Spanish ports have registered record arrivals of grain and flour in recent months, making Spain the leading importer of Ukrainian grain to the EU.

As a reminder, the European Commission has extended until September 15 the exceptional and temporary trade remedies against four agricultural products from Ukraine.

The import restrictions apply to wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds originating in Ukraine.

These agricultural products cannot currently be shipped to Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia, while transit remains allowed.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Tags: Ukraine, EU, Spain, Germany, restrictions