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Polish farm minister visits protesters at Ukraine border

29.11.2023 07:00
Poland's agriculture minister has met with farmers blocking the Medyka checkpoint with Ukraine, and said the government was committed to hearing their demands and working out measures to resolve the crisis.
Polish Agriculture Minister Anna Gembicka (centre) meets with farmers protesting at the Medyka checkpoint with Ukraine on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Polish Agriculture Minister Anna Gembicka (centre) meets with farmers protesting at the Medyka checkpoint with Ukraine on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.X/Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Anna Gembicka held talks with the protesting farmers at the Medyka crossing on Tuesday evening, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The agriculture minister told the media that the government was determined to "continue dialogue" with the protesters and address their demands.

The farmers have called for subsidies on wheat and state-backed loans amid an influx of grain from Ukraine, and also want the farm tax rates to be kept unchanged, according to news outlets.  

Gembicka said the government was committed to developing "systemic measures" that would provide "a long-term boost to the Polish farming sector in its competition with Ukraine."

The farmers on Monday said the blockade of the Medyka checkpoint would remain in place until January 3, the PAP news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Polish transport companies have been blocking the Hrebenne, Dorohusk, Korczowa and Medyka checkpoints with Ukraine, according to news outlets.

Polish haulers are demanding that the European Union reinstate permits for Ukrainian transport firms entering the bloc, and that Ukraine abolish an electronic queuing system for empty trucks returning to Poland, the PAP news agency reported.  

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Wednesday is day 644 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP