EU DISSATISFIED WITH POLISH TRADE REFORM

EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek, meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Dariusz Rosati in Brussels on 16 July, complained about Polish protectionism, international media reported. The EU is dissatisfied with the slow pace at which Poland is dismantling trade barriers. The EU criticized measures to protect the oil sector and restrict the import of commercial vehicles. It also objected to import surcharges and long lines at border crossings. Van den Broek said the EU is concerned about a deal between Poland and Korean car manufacturer Daewoo whereby the latter bring into Poland some 110,000 disassembled cars duty-free for two years. Rosati blamed the EU for the difficulties, saying its refusal to name a date for Polish admission into the union had forced Poland to protect itself. - Jakub Karpinski