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Poland reinstates border controls with Slovakia due to a surge in illegal migration, with military support and international cooperation.
“The Polish Armed Forces will support the Border Guard on the border with Slovakia. Soldiers will have the same authority as the Border Guard, including the ability to conduct inspections. Both operational military units, territorial defense, and engineering forces have been deployed to the border.”
wrote Minister Blaszczak on X
Poland has announced the reinstatement of temporary border controls along its border with Slovakia. The measure, initially set for ten days, is highly likely to be extended due to the surge in illegal migration and the dramatic increase in the number of migrants intercepted in Slovakia.
Poland’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Mariusz Kamiński, stated that the Polish Armed Forces will support the Border Guard in monitoring and controlling the border with Slovakia. Soldiers will have the same authority as Border Guard officers, including the ability to conduct inspections. Various military units, including operational, territorial defense, and engineering forces, have been deployed to assist.
Minister Kamiński pointed out that illegal migration, particularly through Slovakia, has increased almost a thousand percent compared to the previous year. Poland has become a transit route for some migrants heading to Germany and other European Union countries. In just two weeks, Poland intercepted and detained 551 illegal migrants.
Poland informed Slovakia, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the European Commission about the decision in accordance with the Schengen Code. The Czech Republic is likely to follow suit in implementing similar border controls.
Poland’s actions aim to effectively block the Balkan route through its territory to Western Europe. The country emphasizes its responsibility in addressing the broader issue of illegal migration within the European Union.