ZPP Newsletter
Warsaw, December 7, 2023
The transportation crisis at the Ukrainian-Polish border is causing losses for for many entrepreneurs. Polish and Ukrainian employers are creating a dialogue platform to reach a compromise
The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU) addressed this initiative to the Governments of the two countries and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
After the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland not only became the main logistical hub for the distribution and sorting of aid to Ukraine but also ranked first among countries that received the most goods exported from Ukraine. In addition, after the decision of the European Union to grant Ukraine the possibility of free trade with EU countries, the total level of trade between Poland and Ukraine demonstrated new record indicators, which had a positive effect on the creation of new jobs and the expansion of production capacities in both countries.
Since November 6, 2023, there has been a protest by Polish carriers at several border crossings between Poland and Ukraine. This has significantly disrupted the transportation of goods in both directions. The protest is supported by all major transportation associations in Poland.
Joint statement of leading business associations
Every day that the border is blocked means new losses for business. The situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible, and for this it is necessary to use all possible tools.
Representatives of the largest associations of employers in Poland and Ukraine – the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU) – form a negotiating platform aimed at accelerating and optimizing dialogue and developing mutually agreed solutions. These decisions will help the governments of both countries to reach a mutually beneficial compromise and unblock the checkpoints on the Polish-Ukrainian border.
“As representatives of employers’ associations, we are more than anyone else interested in finding a constructive and effective compromise that would allow us to resolve claims on both sides, unblock the border and existing logistics routes as soon as possible, restoring the normal level of trade between Poland and Ukraine” , – says the joint statement of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU).
Next Friday, December 8, 2023, the first closed meeting of Polish and Ukrainian entrepreneurs will take place.
Director General of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FRU), Ruslan Illichev noted:
“Trade and production chains between Ukraine and EU countries suffer from the blocking of transportation, which causes losses to European companies, including Polish ones, which supply goods to Ukraine. We and our Polish colleagues are joining forces in order to prevent further escalation of the situation and to speed up the achievement of a compromise. Based on the results of our discussions, we will soon present a developed list of possible compromise solutions for unblocking the border. We hope for understanding and support for our initiative.”
Vice President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP), Marcin Nowacki emphasizes:
“We must learn to conduct continuous dialogue on difficult issues. In Poland-Ukraine economic relations, this is the second industry that generates strong emotions and conflicts. Permanent formats of cooperation should allow us to react earlier to difficulties and resolve them based on respect for mutual interests. The first meeting is ahead of us, which I hope will be the beginning of a constructive dialogue.”
