Polish Infrastructure Ministry drafts amendments to 'visa-free transport' agreement with Ukraine, conveys them to DG MOVE

MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Polish Deputy Infrastructure Minister Pawel Gancarz has discussed the "visa-free transport" agreement with Ukraine and the respective amendments proposed by the Polish government at a virtual meeting with the European Commission's Mobility and Transport Directorate-General (DG Move) Director-General Magda Kopczynska, Ukrainian media said, citing the Polish Infrastructure Ministry.

"Gancarz has discussed consequences of the ['visa-free transport'] agreement, such as unfair competition, a significant imbalance in the road transport market and losses incurred by Polish carriers," the ministry said.

Before the Ukraine-EU "visa-free transport" agreement, which cancelled international bilateral and transit transportation permits for Ukrainian carriers in the EU territory, took effect, Polish carriers accounted for about 40% of freight transportation to and from Ukraine, the ministry said, adding that their current share is 10%.

The Polish government's proposals on how to solve the problem with due account of the stance of the protesting Polish carriers were discussed at the talks with DG MOVE, the ministry said. The proposals aim to protect the transport market of EU member states, while continuing to assist Ukraine, it said.

"It would make sense to adapt the agreement in such a way as, on the one hand, to protect the interests of EU carriers and restore the market balance, and on the other hand, to ensure the stable supply of key freight and further support for Ukraine," Gancarz said.

As reported, the Polish Infrastructure Ministry signed an agreement with protesting Polish carriers on Tuesday so that they stop the blockade of three checkpoints at the Polish-Ukrainian border, which began on November 6. The Ukrainian Restoration Ministry said it had done everything to meet the demands of the protesters blocking the Ukrainian-Polish border.

It was also reported that the two ministries set up a bilateral working group, in particular, to study the "visa-free transport" agreement and to decide what changes should be made to the agreement, which would be concluded after the current one expires on June 30, 2024, to maintain the transportation parity.