Andrzej Duda’s words came as the Polish Border Guard agency celebrated 31 years since its foundation, state news agency PAP reported.
At a ceremony in the northern city of Koszalin, Duda told border guards he had visited them “to express deep respect" for them "on behalf of the Republic of Poland and all our compatriots.”
The president, who was accompanied by First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda, said in a speech that the work of the Polish border service “has been particularly difficult over the past two years.”
It "has required heightened responsibility and enormous effort, and it definitely involves bigger risk than before,” he added.
Belarus border crisis and war in Ukraine
Duda thanked border workers for protecting Poland “during the hybrid attack at the frontier with Belarus” last year.
“You have risen to the challenge, and the Polish public is grateful for this,” he told those at the ceremony.
Duda also thanked border guards for helping manage the influx of refugees from war-torn Ukraine.
He said Ukrainian forces were "fighting for their freedom and national independence."
Meanwhile, "you have extended a helping hand to their children, to their wives, to their mothers, to everyone who is crossing into our country,” he told Polish border officials.
“Without a doubt, you have been greeted with tears of gratitude,” he added.
Thursday was day 78 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Poland on Thursday reported it had welcomed nearly 3.32 million refugees fleeing Russia's war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, prezydent.pl, strazgraniczna.pl