Russian could double import duties if No new trade agreement reached

Russia can double import duties on domestic products, if within a short period of time Poland fails to come to an agreement with the Russian F ederation concerning terms of trade, after entering into EU enlargement in May 2004. The current trade agreement should be automatically exchanged for the one that obliges EU member states. In such a case Poland would remain in a privileged situation ensuring our companies preferential access to the Russian market. The Eastern neighbour however does not agree to such a solution, claiming that it will lead to huge losses for Russian exporters. This would be caused by a necessity to introduce anti-dumping policies against Russian fertilizers, steel products, and other semi-finished goods. The European Commission demands a renegotiation of the agreement and b reaking off of all cooperation regulations between Poland and Russia. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) A.K.