Bulgaria decided on Thursday, the 14th of September, not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain imports when the existing restrictions expire on Friday, the 15th of September, while Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have indicated their intention to unilaterally impose bans if the European Commission does not extend them, writes Politico.
The Bulgarian Parliament voted 124 to 69 in favour of lifting the ban on imports of wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine. The ban was imposed by the European Commission earlier this year at the request of Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov
HAS EXPRESSED HIS WILLINGNESS TO LIFT THE BAN IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE PRICE OF BASIC FOODSTUFFS.
The Parliament’s resolution underlines Bulgaria’s solidarity with Ukraine and its commitment to providing agricultural products to the world, stating that it does not support extending the ban beyond the 15th of September.
Ukrainian President on X (formerly Twitter) Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Bulgaria for its decision not to extend the export restrictions on Ukrainian products beyond the 15th of September. He praised Bulgaria for its example of genuine solidarity.
Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev, who supported the extension of the restrictions, said he would respect the decision, noting that Bulgaria would step up border checks on Ukrainian agricultural products.
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