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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article3 June 2022Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Solidarity corridors: European Commission launches EU-Ukraine business rapprochement platform

Solidarity Lanes

Since Russia's unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of its seaports, Ukraine has not been able to export its products to destinations around the world through its Black Sea ports. There is an urgent need for alternative approaches to avoid threats to global food security. The European Union is taking concrete steps to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural exports and support Ukraine's agricultural sector in 2022. In this regard, the European Commission is working closely with Member States, Ukrainian authorities and operators to accelerate work on the "Solidarity Corridors" to facilitate food exports from Ukraine through different EU land routes and ports. In order to find pragmatic solutions, the Commission has made available, within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network, a tool for connecting companies in the EU and Ukraine. Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: "Millions of tonnes of cereals are stuck in Ukraine and we need to join forces across sectors and borders to move them: companies looking for ways to support Ukrainian exports, companies offering transport or storage solutions, and Ukrainian grain traders looking for logistics partners – our matchmaking platform will help create new partnerships. I look forward to seeing them in action — every tonne of grain counts! The Platform supports the implementation of the Action Plan on the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Corridors, which aims to ensure that Ukraine can export cereals and import the goods it needs. Many actions have already been carried out: the specialised national contact points now act as one-stop shops for applications concerning their country, to solve logistical problems and to determine storage capacity. Member States are working to speed up procedures at border crossing points and the Commission is preparing to conclude road transport agreements with Ukraine and Moldova in order to remove further bottlenecks. Alongside the extension of the TEN-T corridors in Ukraine, the strengthening of connectivity between the EU and Ukraine will pave the way for the reconstruction of Ukraine and help bring Ukraine closer to the EU. More information on the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Corridors can be found here(For further information: Adalbert Jahnz — Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Anna Wartberger — Tel.: + 32 229 82504)