EU may come to the defense of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in WTO case over Ukrainian grain - FT

The European Commission (EC) is considering defending Poland, Hungary and Slovakia against a lawsuit filed by Ukraine at the World Trade Organization over agricultural exports. The three countries violated EU rules banning imports of Ukrainian grain, and Brussels initially demanded that the bans be lifted, but is now "working to 'coordinate' their legal rebuttals."

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing its sources. The newspaper notes that the next step of the European Commission will be a response to Ukraine's claim to the WTO.

At the same time, as recently as yesterday, September 20, in the evening, the European Commission was debating whether to protect Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The Commission stated that the member states of the bloc "are not allowed to take unilateral measures in the field of trade" and that it is "assessing the legally complex situation."

Brussels seeks to find a solution "so that there is no need for further investigation of this case". An internal review by the EC is possible.

"We are engaging with the [member] states concerned and will try to find a constructive solution so that there is no need to continue the investigation," the statement said, adding that it could launch its own infringement proceedings "to ensure that countries comply with their obligations under EU law and their WTO commitments."

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Romania will work with Ukraine on a plan to control grain exports to protect Romanian farmers. The work will last for the next 30 days.

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