Poland expresses opposition to EU migration pact, citing unique border challenges

Poland has voiced its concerns over the European Union’s migration pact, emphasizing the country’s unique geographical challenges due to its borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

Polish Border Guard. Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

Interior and Administration Minister Marcin Kierwiński, speaking on Monday in Brussels ahead of the EU Council on Justice and Home Affairs, highlighted that the current proposals of the migration pact fail to adequately consider Poland’s specific situation.

Kierwiński stressed that the ongoing situation at the Polish-Belarusian border requires bespoke solutions within the pact.

„The uniqueness of our border situation, especially with Belarus, demands that any migration pact should address our specific needs,” Kierwiński said, lamenting the previous government’s negotiations which, in his view, overlooked these crucial aspects.

The Polish government is set to negotiate a more tailored approach in Brussels, aiming for exemptions from the pact’s mechanisms. Poland, having taken in a significant number of refugees from Ukraine, seeks recognition of its contributions and a more individualized treatment in the migration pact discussions. „Our primary goal is to secure an exemption, acknowledging our substantial support to Ukraine amidst the refugee crisis,” the minister added.

A contentious element of the EU migration pact is the mandatory solidarity rule, which mandates member states to host migrants or, alternatively, pay a fee of approximately 20,000 euros per person not admitted. This rule is part of a broader migration and asylum reform proposed by the European Commission in 2016, which faced delays due to opposition from several countries, including Poland. The deadlock was eventually broken by moving away from a unanimous to a majority voting system, allowing the EU to adopt a negotiation stance with the European Parliament by the end of last year.

Meanwhile, border tensions continue, as the Polish Border Guard reported 151 attempts of illegal crossings from Belarus into Poland over a recent weekend. The majority of these attempts were concentrated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, with migrants often retreating upon encountering Polish patrols. This area, known for its dense forests and challenging terrain, remains a focal point of migration pressures, with recent attempts including efforts to cross the Leśna Prawa river.

Source: PAP, IAR

Radio Poland