Ukraine and Poland discuss creation of four new border crossing points

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has discussed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the creation of four new border crossing points between the two countries in addition to the existing fourteen, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the governments remain committed to developing border infrastructure and logistics.

«We want to introduce joint border and customs controls, exchange customs databases and continue to modernize our checkpoints,» he said at a briefing with Donald Tusk.

At the same time, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, commenting on Donald Tusk’s visit, said that almost 5,000 trucks have already left for Poland after the blockade of three checkpoints (Dorohusk-Yagodyn, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska and Korchova-Krakivets) was suspended on January 17.

«The largest checkpoint, Yahodyn, has already restored its capacity to 600 trucks per day. This figure is even higher than it was before the blockade. The number of trucks leaving through Krakivets and Rava-Ruska is growing,» Kubrakov noted.

The effectiveness of the solution for the Nyzhankovychi – Malchovice crossing point, where registration in the eCheckpoint has been temporarily suspended, is also being evaluated.

«So far, the checkpoint is not operating at full capacity, but should be able to pass 150 empty trucks per day, as it was during the eCheckpoint operation. It is important that all checkpoints operate at maximum capacity,» the Minister explained.

In addition, the ministry reminded that one of the key issues is the extension of the Agreement on the Liberalization of Freight Transport (transport visa-free regime). Kubrakov noted that the European Commission has recognized its positive impact on all parties. He drew attention to the fact that imports of Polish goods to Ukraine by road increased by 30%, while imports from the EU increased by 44%.

Another important focus of cooperation is the participation of Polish business in the restoration and modernization of Ukraine.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Ukrainian exports to the EU have increased by 47.5% over the year and a half of the transport visa-free regime compared to the same period before it was signed. Imports from the EU by road increased by 44% over the same period.