Head of State holds meeting with government officials to protect Ukraine’s interests, principles of free trade with EU

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with government officials and the team of the Office of the President of Ukraine regarding further strategy for protecting the country’s interests and the principles of free trade with the European Union.

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The meeting took place immediately after President Zelensky’s conversation with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, which had resulted in the agreement that all temporary restrictions imposed by the EU would expire on September 15.

Together with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Solsky, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka, and Deputy Heads of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva and Rostyslav Shurma, the Head of State planned further steps to support Ukrainian farmers.

The meeting participants agreed to develop a series of effective measures to prevent similar crises from arising in the future and to protect the principles of free competition in Europe.

The Ukrainian side is maintaining communication with European partners and is working on practical solutions that will allow for the optimization of agricultural exports in the interests of the entire European community without causing damage to the domestic economy.

President Zelensky expects that the European Commission will refrain from imposing any restrictions on Ukraine’s exports in the future. Possible unilateral restrictions by some EU member countries will receive an appropriate response from Ukraine.

The meeting participants expressed confidence that Ukraine, as a future EU member, should already be working with European partners on long-term solutions and constant liberalization to strengthen security and free trade in Europe.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine