Polish PM Morawiecki lends support to border blockaders, argues old system 'worked well'

The Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, supported the demand of Polish haulers, who want to cancel the "transport visa-free regime" and return to the permit system for cargo transportation, which was in effect until the summer of 2022, PAP writes.

Answering journalists' questions in the Sejm on Wednesday, Morawiecki said that the old system "worked well."

He added that the Polish government understands many of the arguments of the protesters.

"Our delegation in Kyiv agreed on certain changes that may lead to the release of empty trucks returning across the border, which will at least to some extent reduce traffic jams and protests," Morawiecki said.

In two weeks, a new cabinet headed by Donald Tusk will most likely come to power in the country. But by this time, a meeting of the transport council of the European Union is scheduled. The Polish side requested that one of the issues on the agenda be the discussion of the consequences of the transport agreement between Ukraine and the EU, which is effective from July 1, 2022.

The meeting will be held on December 4.

Since November 6, Polish carriers have been protesting at the border crossings with Ukraine in Dorohusk, Hrebenne (Lublin Voivodeship) and Korczowa (Podkarpackie Voivodeship). Protesters let through several cars per hour and demand the introduction of commercial permits for Ukrainian transport companies, with the exception of humanitarian aid and items for the Ukrainian army.

Farmers have also been protesting in Medyka since November 23. On Monday, they announced that the protest at this checkpoint will continue until January 3, 2024.