The European Commission (EC) has declared its power to act in the context of the strike of Polish carriers to guarantee compliance and enforcement – stated Adina Valean, EU Transport Commissioner.
On Wednesday, Commissioner for Transport of the European Union, Adina Valean, expressed her position on the situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border, connected with the protest of Polish carriers, supported by farmers for almost a month. She stated that the current situation was considered to be "unacceptable", stressing the European Commission's willingness to take action to reconstruct compliance and effective enforcement.
"There is no good religion in uncovering a solution... and there is almost a complete deficiency of commitment from the Polish authorities... which should enforce the law at this border" said Valean.
"Although I support the right to protest, the full European Union, not to mention Ukraine, a country at war, cannot be taken hostage by blocking our external borders" said EU Transport Commissioner.
She besides pointed out that the European Commission has the prerogative to intervene to guarantee compliance and effective enforcement.
As we have already informed you, the European Commission is preparing to impose sanctions on Poland in connection with the protest of carriers. The Commission requires Poland to remove blockades at the border with Ukraine. If there is no response, the European institutions are planning to take criminal action against our country.
It is worth recalling that representatives of the European Commission participated in talks with protesting Polish carriers, offering, among others, compensation for Poles for losses incurred as a consequence of the abolition of the strategy of permits for Ukrainian drivers, financed by Polish funds.
Transporters associated with the Union of Slovakia Carriers (UNAS) joined the protest of Poles at the border with Ukraine, planning to block the only Slovak-Ukrainian road for trucks, Vyżne Nemecki-Uzhhorod, starting from Friday and continuing until further notice. UNAS argues that they cannot leave Polish carriers alone in the fight.
EU transport ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on 4 December.
Ukraine powerfully criticises the protest at the border, claiming that Ukrainian drivers are suffering, stuck in long queues, and the blockade affects the economy, including imports of LPG. Kiev maintains that Polish demands are unrealistic and accuses protesters of blocking humanitarian and military aid, which is denied not only by the protesters themselves, but besides by observers of the situation. There are besides accusations of alleged cooperation between Polish carriers and Russia, both in Ukraine and Poland, mainly among Ukrainian community and extremist proukrain environments. It is worth noting that besides in Polish media there is simply a discredit run of protest of carriers, with attacks on organizers and politicians supporting the strike, mainly from the Confederation.
Protests of Polish carriers have been moving since 6 November at the border. Entrepreneurs complain of unequal access to the Ukrainian marketplace compared to Ukrainian carriers in Poland. The main problem is the abolition of permits for Ukrainian carriers, while Polish companies must inactive have them in Ukraine. Additionally, Ukrainian companies are not obliged to comply with all EU regulations.
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Adina Valean: EU and Ukraine cannot be held hostage by Polish carriers and farmers:
