A large delegation from the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine took part in the International Dairy Forum held in Białystok, Poland. The forum participants were welcomed by Christophe Hansen the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.
The main focus of the forum was to discuss shared challenges facing the European dairy sector, explore opportunities for Ukraine within this context, and identify ways to deepen cooperation and strengthen the global standing of the European dairy industry.
A key part of the forum’s second day was a dedicated roundtable on Ukraine.
During this session, Arsen Didur, Executive Director of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine, and Elisabeth Sviatkivska, Coordinator of the Union’s EU Integration Committee, outlined the Ukrainian delegation’s key messages: outlined the Ukrainian delegation’s key messages:
• The need to further liberalise trade between Ukraine and the EU;
• Ukraine understands and is actively working to meet Europe’s standards for quality and food safety;
• Ukraine is a reliable EU partner that can enhance food security across the continent;
• Autonomous trade measures have proven to be an effective tool in supporting Ukraine’s dairy industry after the loss of traditional export markets.
During the roundtable with Krystian Keciek, a representative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), the Union’s representatives agreed to deepen cooperation and explore new mutually beneficial projects. This offers hope for the continued development and integration of Ukraine’s dairy sector into the European “lactosphere.”
The forum once again underscored the vital importance of open communication and collaboration between Ukraine and Poland — and between Ukraine and the EU.
