On April 19, Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, held an online meeting with Nikola Stoyanov, Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria, to discuss the temporary ban on grain and food imports from Ukraine, which is being introduced from today. The exception is the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. The meeting was also joined by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Bulgaria Olesia Ilashchuk.

"Preserving and continuing grain exports is a sensitive and important issue for Ukraine, as it is the main source of revenue for the country's budget. Our country is defending itself against armed aggression, and we need to maintain macroeconomic stability, provide finance for the social sector, military and economic fronts as never before. The Government of Ukraine aims to resolve the issue of a temporary ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Bulgaria. We are engaged in a dialogue with the Bulgarian side on the reasons and prospects for a positive resolution of this situation for both countries," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Minister Nikola Stoyanov, in turn, expressed solidarity with Ukraine over the situation the country is facing due to the full-scale invasion of russia. At the same time, he said, imports of Ukrainian grain and food make it difficult for local agricultural producers to sell their own products and they suffer losses. However, the ban does not apply to the transit of Ukrainian products through Bulgaria to the EU. Minister Nikola Stoyanov noted that Bulgaria was waiting for a decision that would ensure that Ukrainian products did not overload the local market but were guaranteed to be exported to other countries.

The parties discussed important aspects of this issue, and the dialogue is currently ongoing. Next week, consultations on this matter will be held at the level of the Council of the European Union and its working bodies.