Olexii Pavlenko: Ukraine possesses strong export potential and is ready to strengthen its position in the EU market

With the assistance of the European Commission Ukraine should adapt the national legislation with the European one. This is a precondition to start the trade in those products which aren’t currently exported Ukraine. The Agriculture Ministry has taken first steps to draft the framework acts, which establish requirements for food safety in compliance with the EU standards.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Olexii Pavlenko said during a meeting with head Peter Balazs and representatives of the Support Group for Ukraine within the European Commission.

The Minister stressed that as a part of the preparatory activities to implement the Association Agreement the Government had approved plans for the implementation of EU acts in the wine industry and GMO area. There was also prepared a draft order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy "On the approval of the Action Plan to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with the EU law in the agro-industrial complex".

"Together with the members of the EU Support Group there has been launched forming of eight panels. Their main activity is the development of a single comprehensive strategy for the development of the agricultural sector and rural areas in Ukraine for the following five years. The working groups deal with improving the legislation and discuss issues of infrastructure, logistics, agricultural innovation, import and export of the industry, government support and taxation," explained Olexii Pavlenko.

In addition, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food for Eurointegration issues Vladyslava Rutytska noted that the Ministry relies on effective collaboration and the EU technical support to ensure efficient implementation of the Association Agreement and reforming of the agricultural sector.

Peter Balazs confirmed support to the initiative to develop a comprehensive strategy for the development of agro-industrial complex.