Poland shows border defence success to incoming Irish EU presidency
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski demonstrated the country's successful border defences to Irish Justice and Migration Minister Jim O'Callaghan on Wednesday, seeking continued EU backing ahead of Dublin's EU Council presidency.
The Polish-Belarusian border remains the primary focus of the Polish government due to intensive security investments and the heavy deployment of uniformed services, Kierwinski said as he and O'Callaghan visited the Kuznica border crossing in Poland's northeastern Podlaskie province.
He added that the area has been subjected to a "very harsh hybrid war" orchestrated by Minsk and Moscow over recent months.
The Wednesday visit aimed to brief the Irish minister on the ground realities of securing the European Union's external frontier, just weeks before Ireland assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1.
Standing in front of the 5.5-metre-high steel border wall, Kierwinski said that despite a current drop in migrant activity, Warsaw remains vigilant.
"Even though it is peaceful here today, and it appears calmness has returned to this section of the border thanks to our investments and the effort of our soldiers, we are fully aware that the situation remains highly dynamic," he said.
While the border recorded "exactly zero" illegal crossings during the first quarter of the year, Kierwinski added, seasonal migration pressures could escalate. "We are ready for this... but we will need the support and commitment of the entire EU."
O'Callaghan confirmed that migration and external border security will be central pillars of the upcoming Irish presidency. He said that he was well aware of long-standing Russian and Belarusian efforts to undermine European security by weaponising migration. He added that Poland's border investments must be sustained and strengthened, warning that the threat from Moscow remains constant even if current defence measures are completely effective.
According to the latest figures published by the Podlaskie Border Guard, authorities registered 204 illegal crossing attempts from Belarus since January 1, with all individuals who crossed successfully having been immediately detained.
This marks a steep decline compared to the same period last year, when over 10,000 attempts were recorded, Border Guard spokesperson Katarzyna Zdanowicz told PAP, attributing the drop to the combined deterrent effect of the steel barrier, specialised troops, and electronic monitoring systems. (PAP)
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