Carriers protest at the border. The government blames the EU, even though it has not stood up to it. And he had a chance

Ukrainians practically took over the Polish transport market after they were allowed to perform bilateral and transit transport under a transport agreement with the EU without permits for the transport of goods. This allowed them to reduce transportation costs. Polish companies, however, are several times more expensive and cannot lower their rates because transport would no longer be profitable for them, considering that they have to obtain all the consents required by the EU.

The Polish government blames the European Union

For this reason, carriers have been blocking border crossings with . They want Ukrainians, like themselves, to have to obtain transport permits again. The protests forced the government to talk. Before the weekend, truck drivers met with representatives of the Polish and Ukrainian ministries of infrastructure. But no agreement could be reached. – They have all the EU privileges, but at the same time no obligations – says one of the Polish entrepreneurs who are demanding the restoration of commercial transport permits for companies from Ukraine – said one of the protesters.

The government blames the European Union and Ukraine for the protests at the border. – The European Commission’s decision for the European Union to sign the agreement with Ukraine was made regardless of our opinions, because they were not consulted. The EU signed an agreement with Ukraine (…) as a result of which the obligation for transporters from Ukraine entering Poland to have permits has been suspended. Until the signing of this agreement, permits were in force that allowed symmetrical implementation of transport contracts by Polish entrepreneurs in Ukraine and Ukrainian entrepreneurs in Poland – and yes, the facilitations for Ukrainian transit came into force under the agreement with Ukraine. However, the Polish government also supported the agreement. And when it was extended this year until 2024, it was done without any discussion at the EU Council meeting. The following people were involved in creating the contract: Polish representatives participated, then the ambassadors of all countries (including Poland) had to accept it, and then the EU ministers.

“At each of these stages, representatives of the authorities in Warsaw could try to find something for Polish carriers in Brussels,” notes Katarzyna Szymańska-Borginion. “Her interlocutors also say that if there is unfair competition from Ukrainian carriers, the Polish services should effectively counteract it. And catch those who carry out, for example, cabotage transport without a permit. In accordance with the road transport agreement with Ukraine, cabotage (i.e. transport within one country by a carrier from another country) still requires permits,” we read on the website of RMF FM radio.

The European Commission is ready to sue Poland

According to RMF FM, some representatives of . And they should find a solution because, according to the EC, they are obliged to ensure the flow of goods from Ukraine, the so-called corridors of solidarity. “Polish authorities, under EU law, are obliged to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings,” a European Commission spokesman told RMF24 last week.

There is not much that can be done about the current situation, because if we restored the permits we would be breaking EU law. This would, however, result in an anti-infringement procedure that could result in a lawsuit. However, the Commission supports the request of Polish carriers to create separate lanes at border crossings for empty trucks returning from Ukraine.