“I think, I’m one of the best experts in the area of Ukrainian-Polish relations. I’ve learned much at first hand.

I was witness to many achievements as well as problems in the life of Ukraine and Poland. I am not a novice regarding the relationship between the Catholic and Greek-Catholic churches in Halychyna, transport corridors, the coal sector and regional policies, Olijnyk claims.

Currently, he is preparing a comprehensive political memo on the Ukrainian-Polish relations. “The dynamics of these relations leaves much to be desired, especially considering the fact that Poland is Ukraine’s chief lobbyist in Europe,” Olijnyk says.

“First, I have plans to set up a group at the presidential secretariat to deal with cross border checkpoints. If we do not have 4-6 checkpoints in the Lviv oblast, we’’ not be prepared to integrate in Europe. Second, we have to harmonize our customs system and modernize customs equipment.

Third, Ukraine has to apply more extensively the law on concessions, something that will boost the operation of transport corridors. Finally, we have to set the moral balance for our relations with Poland. Poland has apologized about the repressions against Ukrainians before and after WWII. This done, we are at a qualitatively different stage of our relations,” Petro Olijnyk said.