KIEV, May 23 – Ukraine’s agriculture minister on Tuesday submitted his resignation, raising questions about the pace of reforms in the country’s massive agriculture sector and his apparent clash with the prime minister.

Taras Kutoviy resigned by submitting a post on his Facebook page without giving any specific reason, only saying it was a “natural process for any European country.”

The resignation was probably triggered by a brewing disagreement between Kutoviy and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman over reform in the agriculture sector, a person familiar with the situation said.

Kutoviy has repeatedly complained about Groysman reducing his powers and taking lucrative state-owned companies, such as alcohol producer Ukrspyrt, away from the ministry’s control.

Groysman issued assurances on Tuesday that the government will continue reforming the agriculture sector, and said the new candidate for the minister job will be revealed soon.

"The new candidate for the post of Minister of Agricultural Policy will be offered after consultation with the coalition, but a strategic line for development of the domestic agricultural sector will definitely continue," Groysman said.

Kutoviy, through a Facebook post, extended special thanks to Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitchko and his political party UDAR among other names for their support throughout his term as the minister.

“I am leaving with gratitude for the trust bestowed upon me by all agrarians, people's deputies from the coalition and the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, members of the agrarian committee, President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, the UDAR group and personally [Kiev Mayor] Vitali Klitschko," Kutoviy wrote on his Facebook page.

Kutoviy suggested he will seek attracting investments into the agriculture sector after leaving the post.

"I think that I have enough knowledge, energy and strength to do even more for Ukraine. And soon I plan to focus on the matters of attracting investments in the Ukrainian economy," He said.

Before his appointment to the government, Kutoviy was financial director of the XXI Century Investment company. He also was the president of the RISE agriculture holding. (nr/ez)