Photo from UNIAN
A Ukrainian delegation at a meeting of the World Trade Organization's Committee on Agriculture has once again raised an issue concerning the limitation by Russia of the transit of farm produce to Kazakhstan, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade's press service.
It is reported that the Russian delegation did not provide substantial explanations arguing that Russia's actions were in compliance with the WTO rules.
At this, the U.S., Canada, EU, Turkey, Moldova and Paraguay have supported Ukraine's position.
In addition, other issues raised at the Committee's meeting and supported by the Ukrainian delegation included the provision of clarification by Moldova regarding current rates of import duties on certain farm produce (issue raised by the U.S.), the closure of two ports by India for import of apples (issue raised by New Zealand), Turkey's domestic support and export subsidies (issue raised by the EU) and sales of wheat flour by Turkey (issue raised by the U.S.).
As UNIAN reported earlier, in February 2016, Ukraine and Russia banned transit of cargo trucks via each other's territory within the framework of reciprocal sanction measures. However, the parties agreed to resume transit on February 25. Ukraine outlined the transit routes to be used by Russian cargo trucks. The movement of cargo trucks to/from Russia is allowed through two border crossings in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
At a meeting of the WTO Council for Trade in Goods Ukraine demanded that Russia immediately lift all trade restrictions, including the blockade of transit.
Eight members of G20, namely, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, and South Korea have supported Ukraine's demands. Ukraine's Economy Ministry has been analyzing the situation regarding the obstacles faced by Ukrainian exporters when transporting goods to Asian countries and the Caucasus region through the Russian Federation.
Read alsoUkraine seeks cancellation of anti-dumping measures in EEU via WTOAt a meeting of the WTO Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices in May Ukraine demanded that the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), namely Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, cancel anti-dumping measures against Ukrainian rods and steel pipes. Ukraine also demanded the termination of an investigation by the EEU in respect of ferrosilicon manganese originating from Ukraine.