Slovak truck drivers block border crossing with Ukraine | EUROtoday

After Polish truck drivers, Slovakian freight forwarders have now additionally began blocking a border crossing with Ukraine. They are demanding that the EU reintroduce transport permits for Ukrainian vehicles.

Slovak truck drivers block the nation’s most vital border crossing with Ukraine. In doing so, they adopted the instance of Polish long-distance drivers who’ve been paralyzing border crossings with Ukraine of their nation for a number of weeks. They accuse their Ukrainian rivals of forcing them out of the freight forwarding enterprise inside the European Union with decrease freight charges.

The blockade of the crossing from Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to the Ukrainian metropolis of Uzhhorod started at 3 p.m., the Slovak information company TASR reported, citing a number of union members. The blockade will likely be maintained indefinitely, it mentioned.

Only 4 vehicles per hour

Excluded from the Slovakian border blockade embrace deliveries of perishable meals, army and humanitarian items and animal transport. In addition, 4 vehicles will likely be allowed by way of each hour. The police introduced that they might attempt to make sure the most secure and smoothest potential operation. Vysne Nemecke is the one crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine that vehicles can cross by way of.

The Slovak truck drivers’ union UNAS is looking on the EU to reintroduce transport permits for Ukrainian truck drivers when coming into the European Union. The EU abolished the permits after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Delegations from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary are anticipated to lift the problem at a gathering of EU overseas ministers in Brussels on Monday.