European Commission president called for EU & Africa to step up food production efforts
In the next two years, the European Commission estimates a 30 percent increase in exports of EU cereals will be needed to mitigate the impact on global markets of the reduced Ukrainian yield due to the war. The Commission president called on countries not to impose any restrictions to global trade to agricultural products. The EU will consider all available ways to circumvent the food export blockade imposed by Russia on Ukraine’s ports, including a naval mission to escort cargo ships, but will not concede to Russia’s demands to lift sanctions.
European Council meet to discuss global food security
EU heads of state met last week to discuss global food security and how to ensure a comprehensive global approach in the context of the war in Ukraine. Ukraine president Zelensky addressed the Council to discuss concrete ways to help Ukraine export its agriculture produce using EU infrastructure and explore ways to better coordinate multilateral initiatives.
As African countries rely on wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine and are acutely vulnerable to price shocks, African Union chairperson Macky Sall (president of Senegal since early 2012) joined the debate via video link.
The EU is now planning an offensive to counter Russian narratives as to which Western sanctions are made responsible for the disruption to global supply of grains and fertilisers.
European Council agrees sixth sanctions package against Russia
After lengthy negotiations held up by Hungary, the European Council finally agreed a sixth package of sanctions against Russia. The package includes the eventual prohibition of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia, with a temporary exception for crude delivered by pipeline into EU member states that, due to their geographic situation, suffer from a specific dependence on Russian supplies and have no viable alternative options (i.e., Hungary and Slovakia).
Furthermore, Bulgaria and Croatia will also benefit from temporary derogations concerning the import of Russian seaborne crude oil and vacuum gas oil respectively.
