Zelenskyy announces plans to launch new 'grain corridor' through Moldova to Romania
Photo: press service of the President's Office

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the opening of the "grain corridor" from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania.

The new Ukrainian grain export route is "an example of how much we can do together, which will be of great importance not only for us, but also for Europe and the world in general," Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, reports the press service of the President's Office.

The two leaders, in particular, discussed and reached agreements on the opening of new checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, adds news outlet Adevalur.

In mid-September, Ukraine agreed with Romania to devise a joint plan for further cooperation on grain export within 30 days. The plan coordinates the conditions and mechanisms for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to Romania.

According to the Minister of Agriculture Florin-Ionuț Barbu, Romania will continue to help Ukraine in the transit of agricultural products.

The Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov confirmed that Romania agreed to the Ukrainian grain export plan because it does not consider Ukraine as a competitor.

The minister added that currently Bucharest expects funds from the European Commission for the development of infrastructure on its territory. And the Ukrainian government is working on logistics and transit projects related to Moldova and Romania.

According to Kubrakov, for Ukraine, this logistical route is more expensive and the margin of such projects is lower. But these projects make sense given the fact that Romania and Moldova are really interested in such cooperation.

On October 4, Greece also offered Ukraine its ports for an alternative "grain corridor".