Lower income from customs duties could slow down trade liberalization

European Union (EU) negotiators fear that Poland' s concerns over dwindling customs duties revenues could prove to be an obstacle in negotiations on liberalization of trade in agricultural goods, and talks were briefly suspended. The European Commission believes that further liberalization would be mutually beneficial and is urging Poland to work out a deal which could go into effect on July 1, 2002. Estonia signed a liberalization agreement a few days ago, while Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania are expected to do so this month. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 25) T.J.