Polish PM says border blockade with Ukraine will be difficult to resolve because of predecessors

Dariusz Klimczak, Polish Minister of Infrastructure in Donald Tusk's administration, stated that it would be extremely difficult to resolve the carrier blockade of the border with Ukraine and accused the previous government of inaction.

Source: Klimczak on the air of Polsat News, quoted by PAP, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The minister mentioned that Poland is attending a meeting between the European Commission and Ukraine on Monday as an observer with voting rights.

Quote: "This is the first time that we can start a discussion about an agreement on the liberalisation of transport links. We know that this deal is a centre of contention, which is why hauliers are protesting at the border," Klimczak said.

According to Klimczak, he should be meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in a few days (probably Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure, or his deputy – EP), and every day he holds negotiations with the protesters.

"We are looking for a common denominator on the basis of which at least the suspension of the protest could be achieved," he explained.

The blockade by Polish hauliers has been ongoing since 6 November, with its key demand being restoration of the permit system for Ukrainian hauliers.  

On Monday, 18 December, Polish hauliers again blocked the movement of lorries through the Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoint.

The protests demand, among other things, the introduction of commercial permits for Ukrainian companies to transport goods with the exception of humanitarian aid and supplies for the Ukrainian military.

Meanwhile, farmers from the Deceived Village organisation have been protesting in Medyka (Polish village on the border with Ukraine) since 23 November. They are demanding, among other things, subsidies for maize.

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