Romania, Other Countries To Seek Extension Of EU Ban On Ukraines Grain Imports

Romania, together with other countries, will seek an extension of the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain at least until the end of the year from the European Commission, Romanian Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development Florin Barbu said Wednesday.

"We are determined to support our farmers in the proper use of their products and the results of their work to ensure food security for us all ... We will go to the European Commission with a common position regarding the extension of preventive measures to a wider range of goods from Ukraine at least until the end of this year," Barbu told journalists.

He added that the situation in the region affects not only Ukrainian but also Romanian farmers, whose interests he has to protect.

Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said later on Wednesday that Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia had agreed to cooperate because they were not satisfied with the September 15 deadline for the ban on Ukraine's grain imports.