The river infrastructure and the Port of Constanta create a new dimension for food security in the Black Sea region through the partnership between Ukraine and Romania in terms of our net export potential, Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Kachka said on Thursday at the 8th Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum.

„We always emphasize that the aggression against Ukraine is creating challenges to food security all over the world. This element is unique in humanitarian law (…) If a city is under siege, it is forbidden to cause famine in that city. But in 2022 the situation was the opposite in Ukraine, because Odessa and the ports around Odessa were blocked. (…) A new situation in terms of humanitarian law and security issues is also the way aggression against a major net exporting state also important for Romania, which is also a net exporting state, can create a global security challenge. I believe that now, together with our partners, we will be able to mitigate these problems that have been present in the Black Sea region. A second issue is the good cooperation between Ukraine and Romania, which ensures that we not only rely on our ports, but also use the river infrastructure and the potential of the Port of Constanta, which creates a new dimension for the security situation in the Black Sea region,” Kachka said.

The official voiced his hope that the talks with the Polish authorities on the issue of grain will result in a mutual understanding, as it happens between Ukraine and Romania.

„It is important for us that in the future we understand from the very beginning how the agricultural sectors are developing both in our country and in Romania, so that we can ensure not only peaceful coexistence. This has happened to us with Poland too. We are currently going through some painful but constructive debates. As far as the future is concerned, we will probably reach an open border with Poland, so that there are no fears. I don’t mean deterioration of our relationship, I mean eliminating fears and trusting each other. In the case of Romania we have reached this mutual understanding and today we function and operate without major obstacles or limitations,” the Ukrainian official said.

AGERPRES