The transportation crisis at the Ukrainian-Polish border is causing losses for many companies. Polish and Ukrainian businesses are creating a platform for dialogue to reach a consensus.
The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU) have proposed this initiative to the governments of both countries and to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Poland has become not only the main logistical center for distribution and sorting of aid for Ukraine, but also the top destination country for goods exported from Ukraine. Moreover, after the European Union’s decision to grant Ukraine free trade with EU nations, the overall level of commerce between Poland and Ukraine has reached new record levels, positively impacting job creation and widening production capacity in both countries.
Since November 6 2023, there has been a protest by Polish transporters at multiple border crossings between Poland and Ukraine. As a result, goods transport in both directions has been significantly hindered. All significant Polish transport associations support the truckers’ protest.
A common voice of leading business associations
Every day of the blockade at the border means growing losses for businesses. This situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible, utilizing every available tool.
Representatives of the largest employer federations of Poland and Ukraine – Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, and Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU) are creating a negotiation platform aimed at prompt dialogue and development of a set of shared solutions. This will help the governments of both countries to achieve a mutually beneficial compromise and unblock border checkpoints between Poland and Ukraine.
In their joint statement, the heads of both organizations emphasize: As the representatives of employers’ federations we are more interested than anyone else in finding a constructive and effective compromise. This would resolve all claims from both sides, unblock the border as soon as possible, and restore existing logistical routes thereby resuming normal trade levels between Poland and Ukraine.
The first closed meeting of Polish and Ukrainian entrepreneurs will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023.
Director General of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU), Ruslan Illichev, commented: The trade and production supply chains between Ukraine and EU countries are being disrupted due to transport blockades. This is causing losses for European businesses, including Polish ones, supplying goods to Ukraine. We and our Polish colleagues are joining forces to prevent further escalation and expedite finding a compromise. Based on our discussions, we will soon present a detailed list of possible compromise solutions for unblocking the border. We hope for understanding and support for our initiative.
The Vice President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP), Marcin Nowacki, underscored, “We must learn to maintain continuous dialogue in difficult matters. In economic relations between Poland and Ukraine, this is the second industry generating strong emotions and conflicts. Established forms of collaboration should enable us to respond earlier to difficulties and resolve them based on mutual respect. We are looking forward to the forthcoming meeting as hopefully the beginning of a constructive dialogue.”
