(29 Apr 2004)
Uzhorod, Ukraine - 28 March 2004
1. Watchtower on Ukrainian side of border with Slovakia
2. Ukrainian border guard with binoculars
3. Border sign reading 'Ukraine'
4. Street market in Ukrainian border town of Uzhorod
5. Street trader unloading car loaded with Slovakian goods
6. SOUNDBITE (English) 'Tamilla', retired Ukrainian teacher:
"I'm now a pensioner, and I have a very little pension, and it is hard to live. So I must cross (the border) so that I can sell sweets (uses Ukrainian word) for a better life."
7. Cars and trucks line up to cross into Slovakia
8. Pullback from 'Stop' sign to queues of people lining up to cross border
9. Various of people and vehicles crossing into Slovakia
10. Slovakian border guards stop and check vehicle
11. Slovakian border control vehicle drives along track
12. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Vojtasek Miron, Slovak border official:
"This is going to be an international border crossing on the frontiers of the European Union, and Slovakia is ready for any problems that may arise."
Washington DC, USA - 29 March 2004
13. Set up shot of Slovakian Prime Minister, Mikulas Dzurinda
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mikulas Dzurinda, Slovakian Prime Minister
"We have some money from EU funds to strengthen our Slovakian-Ukrainian border, so I am completely sure that in two years when we will put our papers for entry into the Schengen system the border between Slovakia and Ukraine will have all Schengen parameters. And I can tell you that this border is not a major problem."
German-Polish Border - 26 February 2004
15. Pan across river from Frankfurt Oder (Germany) to Slubice (Poland)
16. Cluster of tobacco shops in Slubice
17. German border guards check cars entering from Poland
18. SOUNDBITE (German) Astrid Pinz, German customs official:
"On May 1, Poland will join the European Union. This means that from May 1 we will no longer have customs controls on our border with Poland. The general customs office here will cease to be a border customs post. Instead it will be an inner German customs office."
19. Cyclist crosses bridge from Poland to Germany
STORYLINE:
Europe's borders are moving - and officials are racing against time to put new controls in place.
The expansion of the European Union on May 1 will create a new eastern frontier, turning peaceful trading communities into front lines in the battle against smuggling and illegal immigration.
For decades the Ukrainian border town of Uzhorod has quietly enjoyed the benefits of its proximity to Slovakia.
Local residents travel to their upmarket neighbour to buy confectionary and other luxuries of life, returning to the Ukrainian side of the border to sell their wares on the street.
For some people in this former Soviet republic, it's the only way to make ends meet.
But not for much longer. From May 1, when Slovakia joins the EU, border controls will be much tighter - placing towns like Uzhorod very much on the wrong side of the tracks.
There'll be much more at stake here than smuggled sweets.
Slovakia's 98-km border with Ukraine has long been used by illegal immigrants from Asia. Until now that's been a Slovak issue but from May 1 it will be of concern across the European Union.
Speaking in Washington on Monday, the Slovakian Prime Minister said the Slovak-Ukraine border was not a major problem and that in two years time his country would be ready to join the Schengen border system.
While the barriers are being raised on the eastern edge of the EU, they're coming down further to the west.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
