AsMAP offers European colleagues alternative to returning cargo transportation permits - Balin

The Association of International Road Hauliers (AsMAP) is holding talks with European road hauliers and offering them an alternative solution to the return of freight transportation permits for Ukrainians.

This was stated by AsMAP Vice President Volodymyr Balin during a briefing at Ukraine Media Center – Ukrinform.

"Our task together with our partners: Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic, is to develop an algorithm that will allow our hauliers to operate in the same market conditions as European hauliers. If this algorithm is agreed upon between us and the Hungarians, Slovaks, Poles, Czechs, and Lithuanians, we will be ready to go to our governments and show the algorithm that will resolve all the issues. This is a very difficult negotiation process," he said.

Balin noted that AsMAP has already held talks with Hungarian hauliers and presented its proposals to them. Next week, such talks are planned with Slovak hauliers.

According to him, so far, European colleagues insist that the situation on the market can be stabilized only if the permits are returned.

"We are proving that this is not the case, and this is a difficult process. But the goal of these talks with the Hungarians and Slovaks is to bring our positions closer and make it impossible to block the border," Balin added.

As reported, on November 6, Polish carriers began a blockade of truck traffic near the three largest checkpoints on the border with Ukraine: Korczowa-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn.

Among the main demands is the return of the practice of permits for Ukrainian carriers, which was abolished by the agreement with the EU until June 30, 2024.

On January 6, Poland resumed truck traffic on the road to the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing.