Ukrainian PM, EU official discuss border blockade

Kiev, Nov 24 (IANS) Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had an online meeting with European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss the blockade of the Ukrainian border with some European Union (EU) countries.

Ukraine has outlined its proposals on the issue to the EU and is counting on the European Commission's help in resolving the problem, Shmyhal wrote on Facebook.

Ukraine is also rapidly developing alternative logistics routes for its exports and imports, Xinhua news agency quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Since November 6, Polish carriers have been staging protests at several checkpoints on the Ukrainian border, demanding the return of the permit regime for Ukrainian haulers crossing into the EU.

The protesters blocked roads near the crossing points, which resulted in large queues, with thousands of trucks being stalled at the border.

On Thursday, Ukraine sent an official note to the Polish Foreign Ministry demanding the urgent unblocking of the border after two Ukrainian truck drivers died in the queues.

On Tuesday, Slovakian activists seeking the return of permits for Ukrainian drivers joined the protest, blocking a major border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine.

The EU canceled permits for Ukrainian haulers last year.