Kiev says every obligation to Polish protesters fulfilled

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - The Ministry for the Restoration of Ukraine has met every demand of the protesters blocking the Ukrainian-Polish border, the ministry said on Tuesday following the conversation between Deputy Prime Minister, Restoration Minister Alexander Kubrakov and Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak.

"We have done virtually everything we have promised," Ukrainian media quoted Kubrakov as saying in a statement released by the ministry press service.

The registration with E-queue system for crossing the Nizhankovichi-Malchowice checkpoint will end on January 16 as agreed. The pilot project will be on for a month and its efficiency will be evaluated.

"The Restoration Ministry's position was that such a measure should be taken only after the border is unblocked. The registration is suspended today. Ukrainian transport security inspectors will go there to ensure order on the road," the ministry said.

Agreements with the protesters also imply a separate path in the e-queue for empty trucks crossing the Yagodin-Dorohusk checkpoint. "This option is technically possible as soon as stable traffic through the checkpoint resumes," the ministry said.

Another condition, the opening of the Ugryniv-Dolgobychuv checkpoint for empty trucks, has been fulfilled.

Additionally, the ministries have agreed to launch a joint working group to analyze the situation at the bilateral transportation market and to ensure effective customs and border control. The group held its first meeting on January 8 to discuss a joint plan of action at the ministerial level for balancing the bilateral transportation market and to cut lines at the border.

In fulfillment of the protesters' demands, the Polish Infrastructure Ministry pledged to help find resources for compensations to carriers who lost the eastern markets amid the crisis, to intensify inspections for preventing coastal transportation, and to create a system of control over transport services rendered by Ukrainian companies.

As reported, the Polish Infrastructure Ministry signed an agreement with Polish carriers on Tuesday to ensure that they stop blocking three checkpoints at the Polish-Ukrainian border, which began on November 6, by March 1. The protesters have unblocked the Korczowa-Krakovets, Rava Russka - Hrebenne and Yagodin-Dorohusk checkpoints.