Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki urged Prime Minister Donald Tusk to secure language at the Brussels EU summit that would ban the forced relocation of migrants as a condition for any deal. He described the idea to temporarily suspend asylum as a distraction from real border security concerns.
At a Brussels briefing, Morawiecki recalled that the conclusions from the 2018 and 2019 EU summits contained clear language indicating that the union would not compel member states to accept migrant relocations. He argued that any decision of this kind requires unanimous agreement.
Migration Pact, as outlined in the 2018 and 2019 conclusions, was a decisive and unambiguous framework. It established that there would be no forced movement of migrants among member states. Since mid-December, observers say the ruling coalition has moved away from that position. The present legal situation mirrors earlier years when strong vetoes were used against relocations.
Morawiecki noted that the coalition currently governing Poland has abandoned that approach. He called on the present government to address the matter with fairness. He expects a veto against forced relocation and urges the inclusion of the same language from the 2018 conclusions in the final text, specifically banning forced removals. He urged Mr. Tusk and others to commit to that identical paragraph in the conclusions.
Morawiecki was asked about Tusk’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum rights. He cautioned that this is a distraction. The current government tends to shift attention to side issues. The real problem, he argued, lies in forced relocations of Polish citizens.
He added that external subsidies must be protected first.
As long as external borders are effectively protected, Poland will not be exposed to artificial illegal migration said to be orchestrated by Lukashenko and Putin. The leadership currently in power did not defend the barrier on the border with Belarus, doubted its completion within six months, and even publicly questioned whether it would be built within three years. The barrier was built, and today it shields Poland from eastern illegal flows.
He emphasized that the maritime border is the easiest to monitor. He noted that Britain benefited from a long tradition of secure maritime access, while southern European countries face a different challenge, often forced to absorb tens of thousands of illegal migrants due to a left-leaning policy emphasis.
European Council Summit
Two days before the European Council summit, Poland adopted a migration strategy for 2025-2030 that allows for temporary and territorial suspension of asylum applications in cases of destabilization caused by migrant influx. The plan was announced at a convention and drew responses at home and abroad. Tusk then said he would seek recognition from Europe for the decision.
Before the EU summit, Tusk spoke about migration, saying that he had met all key players and achieved understanding. He noted that the measure is not about suspending asylum entirely but about a temporary territorial suspension of asylum applications when border crossings occur illegally and forcibly, especially at the Belarus border. The understanding of the situation was clear to all involved.
The Polish Prime Minister asserted that no one in the EU objects to recognizing Poland’s right to such a temporary suspension. He pointed to the unique circumstances created by hostile regimes involved in trafficking. He added that discussions proceeded more smoothly than expected.
Migration strategy for 2025-2030
The government has adopted the migration strategy for 2025-2030 under the banner Take back control, ensure security. The 36-page document was published on the Prime Minister’s Office website. The main directions cover access to Polish territory, access to national and international protection, access to the labor market, educational migration, integration, citizenship and repatriation, and engagement with the diaspora.
Media coverage showed a broad range of reactions to these plans and their security and humanitarian implications across outlets and social platforms. [Citation: wPolityce]
Media coverage appeared across outlets and social media, reflecting a spectrum of opinions from analysts and public figures.