Negotiations with European Union on fishing and transport about to conclude

On Friday Poland is likely to complete negotiations with the European Union (EU) on transport and fishing. Although the European Commission (EC) had recommended postponing closing this chapter until the new aviation law is passed, yesterday it decided that it is enough if Poland promises to adopt the new law once it takes effect on January 1, 2003. The EU Council is to suggest a five year transition period before Polish transport companies can sell their services within the member countries. As of January 1, 2004, the international road transport market will be liberated. The negotiations on transport will be concluded during the visit of the Vice-President of the European Commission Loyola de Palacio to Poland, will also to announce that after the expiry of the European Steel and Coal Union, the coal mining industry would not be subject to EU competition laws, and therefore could use public aid. Yesterday the EU Commission sent directives to the EU Council about closing negotiations on fishing after receiving consent from Polish negotiators to open Polish fishing territories for EU trawlers on the day Poland joins the EU. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) K.S.