Ukrainian grain trucks line up to cross the Polish border. (Source: AFP) |
This is the first step in resolving the grain "war" between the two neighboring countries.
Accordingly, Ukrainian grain exports - destined for markets in Africa and the Middle East in particular - will be transported directly through Poland, instead of first having to pass through checks at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Speaking to reporters, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus confirmed: “From tomorrow, grain transported to world markets via Lithuania will be inspected at the country's ports, not at the Polish-Ukrainian border.”
The conflict in Ukraine has prevented the country from using traditional Black Sea routes to export grain to world markets. Grain has been transported by road through the European Union (EU).
However, due to logistical problems, grain began to pile up in EU countries neighboring Ukraine, causing agricultural prices in these countries to fall.
Brussels then allowed some countries to impose temporary embargoes on Ukrainian grain. But when those restrictions were lifted, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia extended the ban, sparking a diplomatic row between Kiev and its allies.
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