The solutions we proposed in the migration strategy are not uncontroversial, but the European Union not only took note of our strategy, but even recognized it as its own, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski. He also assessed that “Poland is again setting trends for the whole of Europe.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski On Thursday, he took part in a meeting with the residents of Katowice at the Regional Center for International Debate. In his speech, he reminded that from January 1, 2025, Poland will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. In his opinion, it is “increasingly” up to Poland what course it will choose European Union in the future.
As he emphasized, during the presidency, Poland will have “above-standard influence on the deliberations of the forums” in the EU Council. – We will help set the direction in which the entire community is heading. I believe it is very important to ensure the security of the entire EU, but especially of Poland, said Sikorski.
Radosław Sikorski in KatowicePAP/Jarek Praszkiewicz
According to him, the future shape of the European Union will “largely” depend on how it copes with the current international situation. – Poland is safe, but our environment has become more unstable – noted the minister.
– The head of British intelligence talks about the most serious threats since the end of World War II, not the Cold War – he said. Sikorski also appealed not to allow differences in views “regardless of political disputes” to “affect us at such an important moment.”
“It's a controversial issue”
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also talked about the migration strategy adopted by the government in October, which was adopted by the Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented during the last meeting of the Council of the European Union. As he said, “this is a controversial issue in which the south of Europe, the Balkan direction and now us are under pressure.”
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He added that the solutions “we have proposed are not uncontroversial.” – But the European Union not only took note of our strategy, but even considered it its own – Sikorski noted. – So again – after proposing the Eastern Partnership, after a great victory over populism – Poland is again setting trends for the whole of Europe – emphasized the head of Polish diplomacy.
Donald Tusk did something in Brussels regarding migration that PiS was unable to doKatarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska/Fakty TVN
The government's migration strategy
On October 15, the government adopted the migration strategy announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk – the document “Regaining control. Ensuring security. Poland's comprehensive and responsible migration strategy for 2025-2030”. The strategy assumes, among other things, that in the event of a threat of destabilization of the country by the influx of immigrants, it should be possible to temporarily and territorially suspend the right to accept asylum applications.
The approved document contains a proposal to change the procedures so that they cannot be used in hybrid actions and at the same time take into account the humanitarian dimension of the situation at the Polish borders.
The conclusions of the European Council summit that ended last week highlighted, among others, that: Russia and Belarus and no other country may abuse the right to asylum. Solidarity was also expressed with Poland and the Member States facing related challenges.
At the press conference after the summit, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the importance of these provisions and pointed to – in his opinion – common understanding of the problem Poland is facing. – This was the goal I wanted to achieve – he emphasized.
As he said, all the diplomats he talked to assumed that Poland would make decisions “autonomously” regarding migration.
Main photo source: PAP/Jarek Praszkiewicz