The MP and the chairman of UKROP political council Taras Batenko has addressed to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and the Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman with a request to assist in resolving the problem of border demarcation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus that has developed in some districts of Volyn region.
“Because of the ongoing inactivity and numerous formal responses to people’s appeals, a dangerous conflict that could have negative consequences for our country at the international level is brewing,” says Taras Batenko in the statement initiated by the faction of UKROP in Volyn Regional Council.
Thus, the appeal states that during border demarcation in Volyn region the part of the territory that has belonged to Ukraine for a long time passed to the neighbouring state. This is the so-called South Canal near Zhyrivskyi Canal (village of Vetly in Lyubeshiv district). In addition, Belarus controls the flood-gate and water drain at the Lake Bile, which, according to local residents, has belonged to Ukraine.
Also the local community points out to the fact that due to clearing the area for the demarcation line the part of Ukraine’s territory is deforestated by the Belarusians. The border line sometimes reaches 50-100 meters. While the violations of the Belarusian enterprises involved in demarcation are also noticed by Lutsk border detachment. In response to the letter of the Head of Volyn Regional Council from February 25, 2016 the border guards state that on February 20 the workers of Dorohochynske reclamation enterprise of Belarus were clearing the territory within Hirkivske village council of Lyubeshiv disctrict, and cut down 139 trees to a depth of 3 meters and length of 500 meters along the state border on Ukraine’s territory. 79 trees were taken to the territory of Belarus. Later this conflict was settled.
The lawmaker Taras Batenko stresses that now the demarcation works continue on the Ukrainian territory, and they include aggrandizement of Zhyrivskyi canal by the Belarusian border guards that may disrupt the balance of the Pripyat river system and cause environmental threat.
Taking into account all these facts, Taras Batenko asks the leaders of the state to give a task to clarify demarcation works and to take measures to prevent further violations during demarcation. In addition, the MP considers necessary to tighten control over the border demarcation, to form a Special Commission on this issue and works in Volyn region, which would involve the MPs, representatives of relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies.
