Onishchenko does not rule out return of Ukrainian confectionary to Russian market
A mechanism that would allow Ukrainian confectionary corporation Roshen to resume its exports to the Russian market may be developed during talks with Ukrainian officials in Moscow on August 16, Gennady Onishchenko, head of the Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor and Russia's chief epidemiologist, told Interfax on Thursday.
"It might happen. We are meeting in order to work out some sort of mechanism. They [Ukrainian authorities] have obviously set such a goal," he said.
"It is the most likely goal of their visit," Onishchenko said.
Negotiations on the resumption of imports of the confectionery products made by the Ukrainian confectionery giant Roshen to Russia will begin in Moscow on Friday.
"Our objections remain the same. Our objections are consistent with our laws on consumer rights' protection, that is, compliance with quality [standards]," Onishchenko said on Wednesday.
"Don't create antagonism toward Russia and don't play with the facts, instead simply sit and attempt to reach an agreement," he said.
Ukraine's economics and agriculture ministers are expected to come to Moscow, Onishchenko told Interfax earlier.
Speaking about the prospects for resuming deliveries of Roshen products to Russia, Onishchenko said: "If all the requirements are observed and if a system is made, we, of course, do not rule out their return."
"However, it will take a lot of work. The quality needs to be consistent and guaranteed," Onishchenko said.
On July 29, Rospotrebnadzor banned imports of confectionary products manufactured by the Roshen company, which is one of the biggest confectionary producers in Ukraine, to the Russian market.