Krasnaya Gorka border crossing point on European route E30 blocked for citizens of Member States
13.9.2016
Question for written answer E-006845-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR)
I have been informed of a procedure designed to prevent citizens of non-Member States, as well as Polish citizens (and diplomats), from crossing the border between Belarus and Russia in either direction. Crossing the border at Krasnaya Gorka, at the crossing point on the international M1 route, has presented no problems for over two decades. This route also forms part of European route E30 and Asian highway AH6 and is an important road link between the Russian capital and western parts of Europe, passing through five Member States. It is often seen as the most important European communication channel on the east-west axis. The Russian side has now, I think for political reasons, introduced a serious impediment for citizens of some Member States on the basis of the unregulated legal status of the border crossing between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. I would also like to draw attention to the Russian side’s introduction of the practice of detaining Polish trucks. Holding back vehicles on the pretext of failing to complete bureaucratic tasks and shortcomings in documentation causes great uncertainty in economic activity.
In light of the above I would like to ask the following:
- —Is the Commission aware of these problems?
- —What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the E30 route is a real European highway and is accessible to all Member State citizens on an equal basis?