Polish border plan floated

Date: 01/10/1998

By Simon Coss

GERMANY has hinted at a compromise solution which could head off a potential spat between Poland and the EU over the applicant country's border with its eastern neighbour, Ukraine.

The dispute has been sparked by concerns that Polish entry into the Union could mean an end to the existing 'relaxed' controls at the frontier, which is heavily used by individuals and businesses, with many Ukrainians commuting to work in Polish factories.

To qualify for EU membership, Warsaw will, in theory, have to take on board all the rules of the Schengen free movement agreement, which will shortly be incorporated into the main body of Union law. Current Schengen rules state clearly that Ukrainian citizens must obtain a visa before entering EU territory.

However, German justice and home affairs experts suggest it may be possible to set up a special area around the border where the Union's tough visa rules could be relaxed. “There is a possibility of introducing some sorts of exemptions around the border zone,” said one.

He added that such a system would be set up mainly for people living close to the frontier who might have friends or relations on the other side, and would work on the principle of 'mutual confidence'.

“If these people live in the border area and have income and relatives in their home country, then they are likely to return home,” he said, adding that this special zone could extend between 20 and 40 kilometres either side of the frontier.

But other diplomats warn that it is difficult to envisage any exemptions from the Schengen rules and stress that such a system would have to be rapidly reconsidered if large numbers of Ukrainians from the centre of the country or citizens from neighbouring states began crossing the border.