POLAND DOES NOT WANT TO CLOSE ITS BORDER WITH UKRAINE

The entry of Poland to the European Union may require a certain change on its eastern border - it could be turned into an impenetrable wall. Negotiations on the entry conditions are soon to start. Since there are actually no borders within the European Union, Western Europeans are worried about the problem of the illegal migration of the citizens from the third world countries and the former Soviet Union.

On the one hand, Poles consider their entry into the EU their top foreign policy priority. On the other, Poland's annual income from the border trade with its eastern neighbors amounts to $3 billion.

Hence, Geremek pointed out that the decision on the introduction of visa requirements for Russian and Belarus citizens was not an easy one and as a result the border trade will be reduced.

However, Warsaw wants to keep a special status for Ukrainians. The Polish minister emphasized that if the Eurocommission accepts their petition, this would be of great help to both Poland and Ukraine.