According to the latest information provided by border guards, the greatest migratory pressure has now shifted to the Polish-Lithuanian border. Migrants, who previously attempted to cross the Polish-Belarusian border, are now increasingly choosing a route through Latvia and Lithuania in order to then illegally cross into Poland, MP Dariusz Matecki reported. He has appealed to the government to reinforce the Polish-Lithuanian border.
Poland first faced hybrid operations on its eastern border with Belarus. Now, citizens are trying to stop a wave of illegal migration coming from Germany. Meanwhile, another direction poses a potential risk — one that MP Dariusz Matecki is warning about.
He has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Prime Minister, urging an immediate tightening of security on the Polish-Lithuanian border.
“According to the latest information from border guards, the main migratory pressure has now shifted to the Polish-Lithuanian border. Migrants, who previously tried to breach the Polish-Belarusian border, are now increasingly using the route through Latvia and Lithuania to then illegally enter Poland,”
Matecki wrote in his inquiry.
He pointed out that the Polish-Lithuanian border is “porous” and that potentially hundreds of people could be crossing it into Poland each day.
“The government’s lack of response on this issue jeopardizes the safety of the citizens of the Republic of Poland,”
the MP stated.
He added that the border must be “immediately sealed.” He asked whether the government is planning to deploy additional Border Guard or Polish Army forces to the Lithuanian border and whether it is considering reinstating border checks or suspending Schengen rules in that area.
At a press conference today, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that “measures will be taken to prevent individuals from entering Poland illegally via Lithuania.” He did not rule out reinstating border controls.
“We have invested a great deal of effort, money, and unfortunately also some sweat and blood to ensure that the eastern border with Belarus is secure,”
he added.