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Czech Republic and Poland have a similarly negative view on controls at internal EU borders

by AI | 09.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Czechia belongs, according to Fiala, to a group of countries that have long wanted a stricter version of the migration pact, stricter asylum or return policy.

The federal police control vehicles at the German-Polish border crossing Stadtbrücke. Due to illegal migration, Germany has been controlling its entire land border since mid-September. Photo: Patrick Pleul/dpa

Prague – The Czech Republic and Poland have a similarly negative view on the introduction of long-term controls at the internal borders of the European Union, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) told journalists after a meeting between the Czech and Polish governments. Migration needs to be addressed in a different way, he believes. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wants to present his longstanding migration strategy for Poland on Saturday. This will also be a proposal for the entire European Union, he said after the Czech-Polish government consultations.

Fiala agreed with Tusk that more needs to be done regarding illegal migration. “We need to move forward in this matter and perhaps look at things from a slightly different perspective. We need to be more active, more assertive towards third countries,” the Czech prime minister stated. According to him, the Czech Republic and Poland have clear and identical positions on this issue.

Introducing long-term controls at the internal borders of the EU, according to Fiala, is not a long-term tool for addressing illegal migration. It is something that logically does not enjoy public support and goes against the idea of European integration. Since mid-September, Germany has been controlling its entire land border due to illegal migration. Germany has been controlling its border with the Czech Republic since last October. According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, controls at the German borders will continue for as long as possible, the DPA agency reported today.

According to Fiala, the Czech Republic belongs to the group of countries that have long wanted a stricter version of the migration pact, with stricter asylum or return policies. It is necessary to convince other countries as well, he stated. “Otherwise, we will find that one of the greatest advantages, free movement across Europe, will be threatened,” he added. (October 9)