![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
06-12-2023, 12:29 PM
By Jorge Liboreiro
Published on 04/12/2023 - 13:09
Polish truck drivers have spent nearly a month blockading different crossing points along the border with Ukraine. Last Friday, Slovak drivers joined the protest, turning the dispute into an all-out European crisis.
The around-the-clock restrictions have left thousands of Ukrainian drivers trapped in Poland, waiting for days on end to make it to the other side. Local media speak about queues that stretch more than 30 kilometres into Polish territory.
......
Why are truckers so angry?
The protest stems from a question of market competition.
As part of the European Union's multi-faceted support for Ukraine, the bloc agreed to exempt Ukraine's road freight carriers from carrying the permits that are traditionally required for non-EU haulers. Driving licences and certificates of professional competence issued by one side were automatically recognised as valid by the other.
......
But Polish truckers are not pleased. They argue that Ukrainian drivers have been given excessive leeway and are taking advantage of the new rules to cover transport routes between member states that do not involve Ukraine.
Because Ukrainian carriers offer lower prices for their services and are not bound by EU standards, Polish truckers, who have for years enjoyed a leading position in Europe's road transport sector, feel the situation amounts to unfair competition and demand the immediate re-imposition of the obligation to carry permits.
......
What's Brussels saying?
Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for transport, has described the situation as "absolutely unacceptable" and called for a swift resolution.
......
Could there be a solution?
Talks are ongoing between the different parties but no roadmap for a lasting solution has yet emerged.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/...th-ukraine
Published on 04/12/2023 - 13:09
Polish truck drivers have spent nearly a month blockading different crossing points along the border with Ukraine. Last Friday, Slovak drivers joined the protest, turning the dispute into an all-out European crisis.
The around-the-clock restrictions have left thousands of Ukrainian drivers trapped in Poland, waiting for days on end to make it to the other side. Local media speak about queues that stretch more than 30 kilometres into Polish territory.
......
Why are truckers so angry?
The protest stems from a question of market competition.
As part of the European Union's multi-faceted support for Ukraine, the bloc agreed to exempt Ukraine's road freight carriers from carrying the permits that are traditionally required for non-EU haulers. Driving licences and certificates of professional competence issued by one side were automatically recognised as valid by the other.
......
But Polish truckers are not pleased. They argue that Ukrainian drivers have been given excessive leeway and are taking advantage of the new rules to cover transport routes between member states that do not involve Ukraine.
Because Ukrainian carriers offer lower prices for their services and are not bound by EU standards, Polish truckers, who have for years enjoyed a leading position in Europe's road transport sector, feel the situation amounts to unfair competition and demand the immediate re-imposition of the obligation to carry permits.
......
What's Brussels saying?
Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for transport, has described the situation as "absolutely unacceptable" and called for a swift resolution.
......
Could there be a solution?
Talks are ongoing between the different parties but no roadmap for a lasting solution has yet emerged.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/...th-ukraine
