Germany criticizes 3 EU countries for extending embargo on Ukrainian grain imports
Minister of Agriculture of Germany, Jem Özdemir (photo: flickr.com/boellstiftung)
Minister of Agriculture of Germany, Jem Özdemir, welcomed the European Commission's lifting of the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain. However, he criticized Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for imposing their own restrictions, reports Deutschalandfunk.
According to his statement, Minister Jem Özdemir believed that the European Commission's decision to lift the embargo on the import of Ukrainian grain was the right one.
Özdemir also added that Ukraine still needs assistance because the country relies on income from grain trade.
At the same time, the minister criticized Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for their statements about maintaining restrictions.
He argued that a unified approach from the European Commission and all 27 member states is needed, as anything else would play into the hands of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and cast doubt on the fundamental principles of the internal market.
The EU has lifted the embargo on the import of Ukrainian grain
The European Commission lifted restrictions on the import of Ukrainian grain starting from September 16.
However, shortly after this decision, the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, announced that Warsaw would impose an embargo on Ukrainian grain, despite the European Commission's lifting of restrictions. Hungary and Slovakia also reported that they would continue with their embargoes.
