Ukraine’s agricultural sector has established its permanent presence before European institutions in Brussels. As of today, October 2, the EU office of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), a business association representing leading Ukrainian agricultural companies, becomes officially operational in the European Union's capital. The office will be led by Nazar Bobitski, a former Ukrainian diplomat and experienced expert on EU trade policy and regulation.

The UCAB European office will provide advisory support to the Ukrainian agricultural producers as they get ready for Ukraine’s EU pre-accession negotiations. The office will advise Ukrainian producers on forthcoming regulatory alignment with EU legislation relevant for the agricultural sector as envisaged in the framework of Ukraine’s EU membership commitments.   

The UCAB EU office will also promote harmonious development of agricultural trade relations between Ukraine and the EU. To this end it will serve as a platform for a constructive dialogue between the Ukrainian agricultural business and the European stakeholders, including the EU institutions, the Member States, and the European agrifood business associations. The UCAB EU office will also promote effective public communication between Ukrainian agribusiness and European stakeholders.

The office's activities will be carried out in partnership between UCAB and KREAB, a leading international public affairs and communications company.

Commenting on the opening of UCAB's European office in Brussels, Oleh Khomenko, the UCAB Director General, said: “The presence of Ukrainian business in the EU capital has long been a priority. Today, it has become an essential need. Ukrainian agribusiness is firmly convinced that the future of Ukraine, its economy and the agricultural sector are closely connected with our country’s return to the European family. We are committed to making every effort to establish an open and constructive dialogue with our European partners.”