Eastern border trade blockade escalates

The government in Minsk is demanding Brussels pay recompense to the Belarussian transport companies for losses incurred as a result of blockades on Polish borders. "The loss to the Belarussian economy is amounting to tens of millions of dollars," said Sergyei Niegryei from the Belarussian Transport and Communication Ministry. Polish companies can demand recompense from the Finance Ministry, and according to initial estimates, these losses could amount to around EUR100 million. Yesterday in Biała Podlaska Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that most of the demands of the striking officers will be met, however, he sees no possibility of arranging a pay increase greater than the proposed zł.500. Representatives of the customs officers will meet with governmental representatives in the Finance Ministry later today. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) A.K.