An action plan for EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes to facilitate Ukraine’s agricultural export and bilateral trade with the EU

Author (Corporate)
Series Details COM (2022) 217
Publication Date 12/05/2022
Content Type ,

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 12 May 2022, setting out a number of actions aimed at supporting Ukraine export its agricultural produce.

Further information:

Ukraine's economy has been severely impact by Russia's invasion of the country. Exports in particular were drastically constrained due to the blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports by the Russian navy as these ports accounted for 90% of export of grain and oilseeds before the war. The Russian aggression has also had a major impact on global food markets and is to potentially undermine global food security.

In order for the agricultural goods to reach the European Union (EU) and world markets, and also to ensure that Ukraine could import goods of first necessity, it became urgent to establish alternative logistics routes using all transport modes, linking the EU to Ukraine, while Ukraine’s access to Black Sea routes is restored. This requires the upscaling and development of corresponding freight services along these logistic routes linking Ukraine to seaports in the EU, where goods could be shipped farther or potentially also be stored.

This Communication identifies key bottlenecks as reported by the EU Member States, Ukrainian authorities, EU and Ukrainian stakeholders. The action plan presents short, medium and longer-term measures to address these. The so-called EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes must be established as alternative and optimised logistic routes. These lanes aim to facilitate in particular the forwarding of agricultural produce from Ukraine, but also bilateral trade in good and access of Ukraine to international markets and global supply chains.

Source Link https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2022:217:FIN
Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
Politico, 31/05/2022: Only Black Sea ships will allow Ukraine to feed the world again https://www.politico.eu/article/logistics-crunch-derail-eu-ukraine-grain-rescue-mission/

News
Politico, 10/05/2022: EU plans to help Ukraine’s food exports dodge Black Sea blockade https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-plans-to-boost-ukraines-food-exports-black-sea-blockade/
Bloomberg, 10/05/2022: Europe Plans to Boost Ukraine’s Food Exports Using Land Routes https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-10/europe-plans-to-boost-ukraine-s-food-exports-using-land-routes
EurActiv, 12/05/2022: Commission opens ‘solidarity lanes’ to strengthen EU-Ukraine food export https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/commission-opens-solidarity-lanes-to-strengthen-eu-ukraine-food-export/
France24,12/05/2022: Russian blockade of Ukraine's ports puts global food supply at risk https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220512-russian-blockade-of-ukraine-s-ports-puts-global-food-supply-at-risk
EUObserver, 12/05/2022: EU to help Ukraine export grain — amid food shortages fears https://euobserver.com/ukraine/154935
Associated Press, 12/05/2022: EU plan aims to help get wheat from Ukraine to the world https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-health-middle-east-f980a51dab3412aba611277821e2822b
Politico, 12/05/2022: Brussels’ masterplan to get Ukraine’s grain moving https://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-masterplan-to-get-ukraine-grain-moving/
EurActiv, 19/05/2022: EU’s ‘solidarity lanes’ will not ‘significantly’ help Ukraine export, says Ukrainian MP https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eus-solidarity-lanes-will-not-significantly-help-ukraine-export-says-ukrainian-mp/

Official
European Commission: Press Release, 12/05/2022: Commission to establish Solidarity Lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3002
European Commission: Updates on the implementation of the Ukraine Solidarity Lanes - Speech by Commissioner Adina Vălean (24 May 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/valean/announcements/updates-implementation-ukraine-solidarity-lanes_en

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