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Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Brussels: Poland today is an example of a successful migration policy

30.06.2023

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki attended a two-day European Council meeting in Brussels. The main topics of the summit were migration and proposals for mechanisms related to it. Economic issues, security and defence, as well as external relations were also discussed. The head of the Polish government expressed Poland's position on the protection of the European Union and its borders from migrants - Poland maintains its opposition to proposals for forced relocation mechanisms and emphasises the validity of the 2018 European Council conclusions. At that time, European leaders agreed that accepting migrants is a voluntary decision of member states. Poland stresses that the security of Poland, Europe and our citizens is a priority. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki presented Poland's “Europe of Secure Borders” plan, which calls for strengthening the protection of the European Union's borders and reducing illegal migration.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Brussels

Migration control is an element of Europe's security

During the European Council meeting in Brussels, leaders took stock of the implementation of the European Council conclusions in the area of migration. Poland believes that progress in this area is far from sufficient, both in terms of protecting the EU's external borders and increasing support for countries taking in war refugees from Ukraine. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed Poland's clear opposition to the manner in which the Council's recent decisions
in the area of migration and asylum and its conclusions have been processed.

“Security at our borders and security inside our countries, peace, public order - these are the values from which everything else starts, the values from which the possibility of doing business, normal social life starts later,” pointed out Polish Prime Minister. “The opening of borders and effective protection of these borders, must take place after taking into account our basic needs, related to security,” he added.

The EU's proposal for the forced relocation of migrants in the European Union is the main point of contention. Poland strongly disagrees with such a solution and refers to the conclusions of the 2018 European Council, where all member states agreed on the voluntary admission of migrants. The head of the Polish government pointed out that these conclusions are still in force and there is no agreement from us to deviate from these provisions.

“We stand by the position that the 2018 Council conclusions apply, in view of the fact that the previous migration policy failed,” stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. “Europeans have a sacred right to be the masters of their own homes and we Poles in particular have a sacred right to be masters of our home,” he pointed out.

The head of government said that Poland did not agree to deviate from this consensus and therefore we also did not agree to adopt conclusions in such a form that would imply Poland's consent to forced migration and relocation of illegal migrants.

Europe of secure borders

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland presented the “Europe of secure borders” plan at the European Council. Polish proposals received a positive response during the talks, behind the scenes and in the plenary sessions.

The main points of the Polish plan to improve Europe's protection against illegal migration are:

  • increased investment in guarding the Union's external borders;
  • strengthening Frontex so that it can effectively combat people smugglers;
  • tackling mass migration at its source;
  • limitation of social benefits for persons who are not citizens of the European Union and do not have special refugee status from a war-torn country;
  • the fight against people smugglers and the black market.

Today Poland is an example of a country with a successful migration policy. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki presented European leaders with key issues that demonstrate the validity of the Polish position. Examples included the defence and strengthening of the Polish-Belarusian external border of the European Union, as well as the successful admission of millions of refugees from Ukraine who have found shelter and work in Poland.

“We are happy that Poland is a safe country, that 96% of people think that there is no risk of going out at night in their neighbourhood, going for a walk. Meanwhile, we see what happens in Western European cities,” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also attended a working meeting of a small group of 10 countries. They discussed issues including the expanding of the European Union and ensuring security for Poland and Europe.

Poles will voice their opinions in a referendum

The head of the Polish government said that Polish women and men would voice their opinions on migration through a referendum.

“We cannot agree to such conclusions and that is why we remain of the opinion that the best solution in this case is a referendum. A referendum which has been announced in advance and will be held in a few months' time so that Poles can have their say on whether they want a safe country or whether they want the kind of images that reach us from certain cities, suburbs of Western Europe,” said the Prime Minister.

External relations of the European Union

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed with European leaders the matter of strengthening EU trade and economic policy instruments in economic relations with China.

“We talked about making sure that the European Union's approach to China is the right one - that is, respectful, but at the same time acknowledging the great strategic and global risks that the rise of China brings, as well as a warning from the European Union towards China not to support Russian aggression. This was a very important topic,” said the head of the Polish government.

The European Council also addressed the forthcoming EU-CELAC summit - this will be a significant event on the agenda of our bilateral and multilateral relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

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