The reopening of one border crossing with Belarus aims to assist businesses in the eastern part of Poland that have been affected by the closure of checkpoints.
Tensions between Warsaw and Minsk have led to the shutdown of these border crossings as the challenging situation at the checkpoints has been linked to organized migration efforts by Russia, which attracts people from countries in the Middle East and Africa, relocates them to Moscow, and then moves them to Belarus to put political pressure on Poland and the broader EU.
Earlier this month, the Polish government announced that it’s working on a strategic defense plan aimed at a broader effort to bolster Poland’s military readiness amid rising border security challenges, including significant increases in unauthorized border crossings this year.
The Polish government plans to enhance border security through the "Eastern Shield" project, which involves fortification efforts along the eastern border.
"We need to analyze whether it is possible to unblock one crossing," Tusk told an election rally in the eastern city of Białystok on Friday. However, he added, he would not make this decision “if the military and border guard commands have a negative opinion that it may have a negative, massive impact on our security."
He said the crossing he would consider opening would be Bobrowniki. At present, four of the six crossings with Belarus are completely closed.
The Border Guard has reported an increase in the number of migrants attempting to cross the border illegally in recent weeks.
(aj)
SOURCE: PAP; IAR