Poland is extending its temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania until October 4. This was announced by Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński on Sunday. The reason given was continued concerns regarding irregular migration.
Increased security measures have made the route via Belarus and Russia largely impassable, which is why the migration movement is increasingly shifting to other EU states – especially Lithuania and Latvia.
“The 98% tightness of our barrier means that Belarusian and Russian services and illegal migration are moving to other sections,” says Kierwiński.
“Today, the main task not only for us but also for our partners in the European Union is to close the route to Lithuania and Latvia, if I may use that word,” he added.
In response to illegal migration, Germany introduced controls at its borders with Poland and the Czech Republic. Last year, these controls were extended to all borders.
“In September, we will decide on the next steps in this regard based on data from the border guards, the military and the police,” Kierwiński said.
In Lithuania, controls are being carried out at 13 locations, including three border crossings. The remaining 10 border crossing sites will be ‘ad hoc control sites’, which can be used by local residents.
In Germany, border controls are carried out at 52 locations.
The decision to maintain controls at internal Schengen borders continues to undermine the EU principle of free movement of people.
However, Schengen countries are allowed to introduce border controls in what they consider to be ’emergency’ situations, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, or as a ‘last resort’ for security threats.
