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Mobility and Transport
News article3 June 2022Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport

Solidarity Lanes: European Commission launches EU-Ukraine business matchmaking platform

Since Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of its seaports, Ukraine has been unable to export its produce to destinations around the world via its Black Sea ports. Alternative routes are urgently needed to avoid threats to global food security.

The European Union is taking concrete measures to facilitate Ukraine’s agricultural exports and to support Ukraine’s agricultural sector in view of the 2022 season. In this regard, the European Commission is working closely with the Member States, Ukrainian authorities and business operators to accelerate work on “Solidarity Lanes” to facilitate food exports from Ukraine via different land routes and EU ports. To identify pragmatic solutions, under the EU’s Enterprise Europe Network, the Commission has made available a business matchmaking tool to bring together businesses in the EU and Ukraine.

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: Millions of tonnes of grain are stuck in Ukraine and we need to join forces across sectors and borders to get them moving: From companies looking for ways to support Ukrainian exports to businesses offering transport or storage solutions, and Ukrainian grain traders seeking logistics partners, our business matchmaking platform will help to create new partnerships. I am looking forward to seeing them in action – every ton of grain matters!”

The platform supports the implementation of the EU’s EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes Action Plan, designed to ensure Ukraine can export grain and import the goods it needs.

Many of the actions have already been completed: dedicated national contact points now act as one-stop-shops for requests concerning their country, to resolve logistical issues, and to identify storage capacity. Member States are working to accelerate procedures at border crossing points and the Commission is preparing the conclusion of road transport agreements with Ukraine and Moldova to remove further bottlenecks. Together with the extension of TEN-T corridors in Ukraine, increasing connectivity between the EU and Ukraine will prepare the ground for the reconstruction of Ukraine and help bring Ukraine closer to the EU.  

More information

EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes: Keeping Ukrainian goods moving

 

Details

Publication date
3 June 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport