Ukraine requests 220 mln euros in aid from EU for agricultural producers - European Commission

BRUSSELS. Aug 13 (Interfax) - The European Commission confirmed that it has received a request from Kiev for 220 million euros in aid for Ukrainian grain producers, which is being reviewed.

"We have received the request from the Ukrainian authorities for a grant of about 220 million euros. So Ukraine explained actually to us, in the request how this grant could be used," European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said at a press briefing in Brussels on Thursday.

He said the request concerns subsidizing interest rates on bank debts and securing loans for agricultural producers.

At the same time, the European Commission is closely monitoring the situation in the Black Sea, which is affecting agriculture and the economy in general.

"We are in close touch with the Ukrainian authorities also in the context of this request. I can only confirm, for instance, that the EU delegation has recently met with the Ukrainian minister for agriculture," Mercier said.

He also said that the European Commission is continuing to discuss with the Romanian, Moldovan and Ukrainian sides an assessment of the situation regarding alternative shipment routes along "solidarity lanes."

Mercier added that he could not currently provide a timeline for the European Commission's response to these issues, but that contacts on the matter are ongoing.