CONDITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE BETWEEN POLAND AND RUSSIA AFTER THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The aim of the analysis is to answer the question if Poland's accession to the EU has influenced trade turnover between Poland and Russia and the prospects of its further development. The authoress uses the method of statistical analysis (based on the data of the Main Statistical Office ) and the analysis of documents and legal regulations (concerning the change of conditions of the access to the partners' markets ) which lead to the following conclusions. Despite earlier doubts, the period between 2004-2005 saw a considerable rise in the trade exchange between Poland and Russia. It took place in spite of the tension in political relations and the Russian restrictions towards import of some of the Polish food and agricultural products. The increase in the Polish imports was connected mainly with the increase in the world prices of oil and gas - the two resources dominant in these imports. The rise in the exports reflected good economic conditions in Russia as well as a progressing improvement in competitiveness of Polish products and the effects of the previous modernization of companies whose aim was to cope effectively with the competition on the uniform European market. The condition which has to be fulfilled to increase benefits resulting from the trade exchange with Russia is diversification of product structure of the Polish exports and reduction in Poland's dependence on imports of energy resources.