Opinions & Interviews

GOMEL, 25 October (BelTA) – Ukraine is ready to do everything to ensure smooth movement of farm products with Belarus, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy Viktor Sheremeta told the media following a meeting of the working group to address issues of mutual trade in part of application veterinary and sanitary measures. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 1st Forum of Regions of Ukraine and Belarus, BelTA has learned.

According to Viktor Sheremeta, common interest is obvious. So is consumer demand. “Our people willingly buy Belarusian-made goods,” he said. As a result, the turnover of agricultural products and foodstuffs is growing between Ukraine and Belarus. In January-August 2018, this figure amounted to more than $500 million, up by 23% over the same period a year prior.

The parties also discussed the barriers to the trade, possible solutions and outlined the reserves to strengthen the presence of the goods on the markets of both countries.

“We are confident that the meeting of the working group held as part of the 1st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine will give a powerful impetus to our further mutually beneficial relations,” said Ivan Smilgin, Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister, Director of the Veterinary and Food Supervision Department of the Agriculture and Food Ministry of Belarus.

He stressed that there are no unsolvable issues. “There are those that require more time. We have been cooperating with Ukrainian counterparts fruitfully and closely. The tasks are gradually solved. We are capable of finding solutions to different situations,” added Ivan Smilgin.

The 13th meeting of the Belarusian-Ukrainian working group on increasing mutual presence of agricultural, food and other products in the markets of Belarus and Ukraine resulted in the signing of a protocol reflecting the intentions and reserves for the further development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in agricultural industry.