2024-12-12 14:21 update: 2024-12-12, 14:24
Photo PAP/Pawel Supernak
Poland's interior minister has welcomed the European Commission (EC)'s approval of Poland's temporary suspension of asylum rights along with additional funds for reinforcing border security.
On Wednesday, the EC granted Poland, among other border states, EUR 52 million in additional funding to strengthen borders with Belarus and Russia. It also echoed Poland's October decision to impose a time-limited suspension of asylum rights, stating that member states can take exceptional measures to safeguard the EU's borders.
Tomasz Siemoniak, who met with his EU peers in Brussels on Thursday, said he is pleased that the EC "has recognised Poland's stance on border protection and granted the country EUR 52 mln for strengthening the borders with Belarus and Russia."
The minister reported the government will address key aspects of visa and migration policies next Tuesday.
After the Polish cabinet adopted its new migration strategy, Warsaw faced criticism from dozens of NGOs for the "temporary and territorial suspension of the right to asylum." Amnesty International Poland, which also joined the voices of condemnation, said that the move endangers the lives and health of asylum seekers and is in breach of international law.
The Polish government justified the proposed plan by citing the need to protect national security and prevent the exploitation of asylum systems by smugglers and human traffickers. Since 2021, the country itself has faced a migration crisis orchestrated by Minsk and has been labelled as a 'hybrid war' by Polish officials. (PAP)
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