The introduction of quotas on imports of mineral nitrogen fertilizers will have a negative impact on relations between Ukraine and EU. Andriejus Stančikas and Kazys Starkevičius, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, remarked this in their letter-response to the Chairman of UAC Andrii Dykun.
As Lithuania is one of the largest importers of fertilizers to Ukraine, at the beginning of June the Chairman of UAC Andrii Dykun asked the Committee on Agrarian Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to assess the consequences of a possible introduction of Ukraine's quotas on fertilizer imports from Ukraine's trading partners, also from EU.
In their response, the heads of the Agrarian Committee of the Lithuanian Seimas note that they are very concerned about the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine to apply stricter requirements for the fertilizers import by introducing quotas for EU partner countries.
"Considering the fact that fertilizer exports from EU symbolize the economic integration achieved by EU and Ukraine by signing the DCFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) between Ukraine and the European Union, we believe that limitation of fertilizer exports to EU countries are incompatible with the WTO requirements. and may be perceived by the competent EU authorities as a violation of the DCFTA between EU and Ukraine." - the letter declares.
The deputies of the Lithuanian Seimas call for taking all possible measures to prevent the implementation of initiatives to establish quotas on the fertilizers import from the European Union.
"If these restrictions are introduced, it will have a negative impact on relationships between Lithuania and Ukraine and, also, on relationships between EU and Ukraine." - the letter explains.
The Committee on Agrarian Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania also sent a copy of the answer to the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine.
