From midnight, Poland will restart temporary border controls at the Polish-Slovak boundary. The measure is set for ten days, with a strong likelihood of extension, according to Mariusz Kamiński, the Minister of the Interior and Administration, speaking at a Tuesday press conference.
We detained 551 illegal migrants in two weeks
The minister announced the decision to restore temporary checks at the Slovak border during a briefing at the ministry’s headquarters. He noted that compared with the previous year, illegal migration and the number of detected migrants at the border with Slovakia have surged by nearly tenfold.
He also warned that some foreigners use Poland as a corridor to Germany and other European Union destinations.
In two weeks, 551 illegal migrants were traced and apprehended, he added.
The government has decided to resume temporary border controls at the Slovakia border. The checks will begin at midnight, the minister confirmed.
Kamiński said the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Slovakia, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic have been informed, as has the European Commission, in line with the Schengen Code.
The Czechs will also introduce checks
The Czech Republic plans random border checks with Slovakia starting at midnight on Wednesday, announced Prime Minister Petr Fiala. He indicated that the steps were coordinated with Poland via social media posts.
Security inspections, he said, help guarantee the safety of citizens and tighten the fight against smugglers and human traffickers.
Interior Minister Vit Rakuszan added that inspections are scheduled through October 13, with a possible extension depending on evolving conditions.
We expect this issue to be fully resolved
The interior chief stated at a Tuesday briefing that Poland will reintroduce temporary border controls on the Polish-Slovak border at midnight. The approach aims to minimize burden on Polish and EU citizens while ensuring controlled access to Poland.
He mentioned a discussion with Czech Interior Minister Vito Rakusan on Monday and suggested that the Czech side might take similar steps soon to restore checks at the Slovakia border. The goal is to block the Balkan route, a corridor linked to Western Europe via Poland, with effective nationwide cooperation, he noted.
Poland is urged to act as a responsible nation and apply robust measures at its eastern border with Belarus as well. The broader aim is to address the Balkan route issue regionally and persuade other European Union partners to join these efforts.
The total duration for border-control restoration
According to the plan, eleven border crossings along the Slovakia border will be opened, including eight road crossings and three railway points, stated Commander-in-Chief Major General Tomasz Praga. The Interior Ministry reiterated that Poland will restore temporary border control by midnight, under the Schengen Borders Code and its urgent-entry provisions.
The initial control period is ten days, with the possibility of extensions in successive terms, up to a total of two months. The decision to implement temporary border measures rests with the Minister of the Interior and Administration, in line with the State Boundary Act. The ministry will issue a regulation detailing the specific border crossings allowed for legal entry, the type of crossing, opening times, and territorial scope.
Eleven border crossings are planned on the Slovakia border, including eight road routes and three railway points, the authorities confirmed. In Podkarpackie, Barwinek, Radoszyce, and Łupków (railway crossing) are among the sites, along with Muszyna (railway), Muszynka, Piwniczna Zdrój, Chyżne, and in Silesian Voivodeship, Zwardoń and Zwardoń Skalite (railway) plus Korbielów. Additional foot crossings will also be available at eleven locations across the border region.
Source: wPolityce [Cite: wPolityce]