Baltic ambassadors demarche Poland over blockade of Ukrainian border

The ambassadors of the Baltic states in Warsaw have expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that Polish carriers are blocking truck traffic on the border with Ukraine.

This is reported by the Estonian media outlet ERR.

According to the publication, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that this issue has been repeatedly raised in relations with Poland.

According to Estonian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Brita Kikas, a meeting/demarche of three Baltic ambassadors to the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure took place in Warsaw.

"We respect the right of truck drivers to demonstrate. But unfortunately, this has led to a difficult situation that creates problems for other carriers and additional difficulties for the Ukrainian economy. For our part, we are raising this issue with Poland and hope that a solution will be found shortly in cooperation between Poland, Ukraine, and the European Commission," Kikas said.

It should be noted that in diplomacy, a demarche means an appeal by one government to another government to draw attention to something, often with proposals to take specific measures.

According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Estonia will continue its efforts to find a solution with the new Polish government.

"Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna had a conversation with former Polish Foreign Minister Johannes Rau. In addition, the new Polish foreign minister is scheduled to visit Tallinn soon, where this issue will be discussed," Kikas said.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman confirmed that the issue of the blockade of the Ukrainian border was also discussed at Tsakhkna's meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday, December 4.

As a reminder, since November 6, the movement of freight transport has been hampered on the Ukrainian-Polish border. As of December 5, truck traffic was restricted at four checkpoints on the border with Poland.

The queues at the border were caused by strikes by Polish carriers. They are demanding a return to the permit system for Ukraine.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 05/12/2023