A decision on whether to build a 600-kilometer pipeline for transporting Ukrainian edible oil to Poland's Gdansk port remains on hold due to legal and technical uncertainties, Ukraine Business News reported on February 16, citing sentiments from Polish officials.

The project, proposed in 2022, aimed to facilitate the export of Ukrainian sunflower oil, a major global commodity, amidst disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict. However, the Polish Ministry of Agriculture recently confirmed that despite ongoing discussions in 2023, no final decision has been reached.

"Doubts of a legal and technical nature, as well as circumstances related to the flow of other agri-food products from Ukraine, have led to the fact that no decision has yet been made regarding further work on the project," the ministry stated, as reported by APK Inform on Thursday, February 15.

One key concern lies in the lack of precedent for such a pipeline, as stated by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

"This type of investment has never been implemented in Poland, and most likely nowhere else in the world," the ministry noted, highlighting the need for thorough legal and technical considerations.

Despite the hesitation, discussions between Polish and Ukrainian agricultural authorities continue. The initial memorandum of understanding, signed in 2022, established a working group tasked with exploring the project's feasibility, financing options, and legal framework.

The potential benefits of the pipeline are significant for Ukraine since it’s the country is major producer of sunflower oil, and efficient export routes are crucial for its economy and global food security. Additionally, the project could strengthen ties and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland.

However, the timeline for resolving the outstanding concerns remains unclear. While both sides acknowledge the project's potential, overcoming the legal and technical hurdles will likely require further negotiations and analysis.