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Poland comments: German plans for border controls are unacceptable

by AI | 11.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

To curb irregular migration, the German government plans to introduce temporary controls at all German borders. Neighboring country Poland criticizes the plans and wants to consult with other affected countries on a joint approach.

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, participates in the press conference after the German-Polish government consultations. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Warsaw – Poland sharply criticizes the German government’s plans to introduce temporary controls at all German land borders. “This approach is unacceptable,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. The Schengen Agreement would be virtually suspended as a result. The Schengen Area allows more than 400 million people to move freely between member states without border controls.

“What Poland needs is not a reinforcement of controls at our border, but a stronger involvement of countries like Germany in guarding and securing the EU’s external borders,” Tusk added in reference to the situation at the Polish border with Russia’s ally Belarus.

The Polish Prime Minister further said that his government would in the next few hours ask other countries affected by the upcoming decisions of the German government for urgent consultations on steps within the EU.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser ordered temporary controls at all German land borders on Monday to further curb the number of unauthorized entries. The additional controls are to begin on September 16 and initially last for six months.

Since October 2023, there have already been stationary controls at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. These have been repeatedly extended and currently run until December 15. At the German-Austrian land border, such controls, justified by irregular migration, have been in place since September 2015. The newly ordered controls directly at the border will affect the land borders with France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. (September 10)