Poland is preparing to block the border with Ukraine - International Transport Association of Ukraine

The Polish-Ukrainian border may be closed at all checkpoints by the end of 2023. The reason is a strike by Polish carriers scheduled for November-December.

The Poles want to strike because of alleged excessive competition with Ukrainians after the liberalization of international transportation between Ukraine and the EU. This was reported by the International Transport Association of Ukraine (ITAU), Ukravtoprom reports.

"On November 3, Polish carriers plan to go on strike at the Ukrainian border. They plan to block all available entrances from Ukraine. The action is planned for 2 months. The first meeting of the participants has already been agreed with the local authorities near the Korczowa checkpoint at 10 am on November 3," the statement said.

What do Polish carriers want?

• To return the issuance of transportation permits to Ukrainian carriers.

As previously reported by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the liberalization agreement provides for bilateral and transit transportation by Ukrainian carriers without permits.

• Tighten the ECMT transportation rules for foreign carriers.

This is a document that grants the right to use a motor vehicle of a resident road carrier for international road transportation of goods or passage without cargo through the territory of foreign member states of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) during the period specified in it.

• Inability to register a company in Poland if the company's finances are not located in the EU.
• A separate queue in the electronic queue for cars with EU license plates.
• A separate queue at all borders for empty trucks.
• Access to the "Shliakh" system.

However, the MTAU noted that there is no final decision on blocking the border between Poland and Ukraine yet. "At the moment, it is possible to avoid the planned strikes," they said, without going into details.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine will receive $700 million from the United States to modernize border crossing points, ports and railways. In particular, negotiations are underway to open 4 more checkpoints on the border with Poland.

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