A day after the ban on Ukrainian grain imports was lifted, grain producers refused a meeting with the prime minister. Thus, without a dialogue between the authorities and the industry, from Monday mass protests and blockades began throughout the country against the decision of the government and the parliament.
“They refused to come today at 11 o’clock for a meeting. The arguments they use are untenable,” Denkov said. I again invite these producers to come to the Council of Ministers to discuss the specific topics, and not to protest in principle”, said Denkov.
Parliament lifted the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain, farmers protest (REVIEW)
The connection was breaking on the other side, he thinks. The Prime Minister reminded that the ban was imposed as a temporary measure and closing the market for years to come is impossible. Denkov also commented on the sector’s opposition to Europe, and in his words, he does not understand this, since a large part of the funds for subsidies and equipment for grain producers came precisely from Brussels. Denkov also explained the decision of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to continue with the ban on the import of grain from Ukraine with the fact that there are upcoming elections there.
“Their arguments are completely untenable. The sector cannot claim that the state does not care, given that the state gives more than BGN 2 billion, it cannot treat European requirements with disdain, given that the tractors with which they want to block the roads were bought with European funds, they cannot say that they are not interested in Europe, given that most of the funds they receive in the form of subsidies and aid are European. Let them give up the European funds then. And then put bans on Ukrainian goods. So it should be very clear – there is a need for dialogue. They must find a way for the negotiations in the Council of Ministers”, said Denkov.
According to him, at the beginning there was an attempt to dialogue in specifics, but at some point the branch changed its approach and used false arguments to refuse negotiations.
“In the last 2 days they started behaving like terrorists. They use false arguments, make demands that this happen immediately: “If you don’t do it, we will block the state.” I don’t negotiate with terrorists, I expect them to come to the table and we will negotiate in substance”, said Denkov.
A NOVA team contacted Iliya Prodanov, chairman of the National Association of Grain Producers, for a reaction after the prime minister’s words.
Prodonov stated that they submitted a request for a meeting already 15 days ago, and the Prime Minister’s actions and attitude towards them recently was “hypocritical and frivolous” towards a sector that produced 1/7 of the gross domestic product, says Prodonov.
2023-09-16 08:38:57
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