Ukraine to request for World Trade Organisation's arbitration if Poland blocks exports of Ukrainian grain – PM

Ukraine will request the arbitration of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for compensation of losses for violation of the norms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) if Poland blocks the export of Ukrainian grain.

Source: Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, European Pravda

Details: Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine, despite the war and Russia's blocking of ports, adheres to its responsibilities both under the Association Agreement with the EU and under WTO law.

Quote: "We’ve never had any intention of harming Polish farmers. We really appreciate the support from the Polish people and Polish families! But in case of violation of trade law in the interests of pre-election political populism, Ukraine would be forced to apply to the WTO arbitration for compensation for losses caused by the violation of GATT norms," Shmyhal wrote.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland will not allow itself to be "flooded with Ukrainian grain" regardless of Brussels' decision on Ukrainian agricultural products imports.

On 15 September, the European Commission is expected to lift its moratorium on importing Ukrainian corn, wheat, rapeseed and sunflower seeds to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Poland seeks to extend this ban, and if this does not happen, it threatens to impose a unilateral embargo.

The Polish government is preparing a draft decision to extend the ban on importing Ukrainian agricultural products after 15 September.

Ukraine insists that a unilateral extension of the ban would violate the rules of the common market and the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

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