One of the most important challenges for Poland, Europe and the world is to develop a response to the challenges and fears generated by mass migration and migratory pressures used by hostile states in harmful ways.

Poland is supposed to be safe. Polish women and men are supposed to feel free. Safe and free in their own country. Hence the importance of our migration policy,

the Prime Minister noted.

The foundations of freedom include the rule of law and genuine democratic principles, which have been consistently destroyed over the past eight years.

The lack of real oversight and chaos resulting from the previous government's migration policy meant that hundreds of thousands of people from Asia and Africa ended up in Poland, which sparked hatred and contempt.

They built a corrupt system, and there is no doubt about it - a system which allowed an absolutely uncontrolled, partly privatised, influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants. The process was either barely legal or fully illegal.. The migration took place via the Belarusian border, via the visa system, fake student visas, as well as private initiatives in collaboration with the labour market actors,

Donald Tusk explained.

Thanks to the current government's measures, 31% fewer visas of all kinds were granted in H1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The previous government developed the most pro-migration and pro-irregular migration regime in Europe, with no concern for the security of its citizens and EU borders.

One of the elements of the new migration policy will be the temporary territorial suspension of the right to asylum. I will fight for its recognition in Europe. We know very well how this is used by Lukashenko, by Putin, by smugglers and human traffickers, how this right to asylum is twisted and used against us,

the Prime Minister admitted.

The current government is shifting the gears, changing the disastrous practices of its predecessors and proposing consistent measures concerning this area. Migration will not be a threat to the security of borders and citizens.

Over the past eight years, the Polish state has lost control over the wave of illegal migration and the influx of immigrants has become a weapon in the internal political fights. Between 2018 and 2023, Poland issued more than 6 million visas, most of which (3.8 million) were work visas.  

The state is supposed to bring in people,who want to work honestly in Poland, pay their taxes, integrate into Polish society and study at real universities. There people deserve our respect. This also requires integration measures. If someone wants to come to Poland to stay here permanently, to work, to study, they have to respect the Polish way and customs, they must want to integrate into our society. Once this strategy has been adopted, just like in recent months, we will reduce irregular migration to Poland to a minimum. We will abolish these practices in order to fully regain control over who comes here, why, where and how useful they are,

the Prime Minister stated.

A key example of a negative outcome of skipping integration processes can be seen in Germany, where private interests were put before the good of society. A tough government stance in line with the national interest will protect millions of Polish women and men and instil a sense of security.

In order to combat the influx of people from Asia and Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not only raised the price of Polish visas, but also introduced new guidelines for Polish consulates, replacing the previous instructions.

My suggestions are achievable, but under one condition - that Donald Tusk's government will not be obstructed at all times, its acts vetoed maliciously, sent to the so-called Tribunal, and that the appointment of ambassadors will not be blocked forever,

Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski added.

In its report, the Supreme Audit Office found a number of irregularities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning, among other things, consular activities, the visa process and favouritism towards companies, individuals and agencies. The previous Ministry of Foreign Affairs was indifferent to the Russian threat and issued more than 4,200 visas to Russian citizens, starting from the beginning of the aggression against Ukraine until December 2023.

Poland, like many European countries, is facing the challenge of demographic decline. One way to deal with this challenge is to convince of Poles and people with Polish roots to return to their homeland.

We are planning a strategy to encourage returns of Poles and people of Polish origin from the Polish diaspora, from abroad. By building an image of a safe country, Poland is also becoming an attractive place for Poles who have previously left. Why wouldn't an 18-year-old Polish woman or a 20-year-old Polish man living in the United Kingdom, France or the United States, want to come back here, to study here? They will soon be earning as much as they can earn there, and the country is nicer. And perhaps thanks to our migration strategy, it will be not only the coolest but also objectively the safest place in Europe,

Donald Tusk announced.

Citizenship, repatriation and contact with the diaspora are some of the key elements of the migration strategy developed since December 2023. Poland has not had such a document since 2016.

In recent months, Poland has rebuilt its credibility on the international stage and has become the key country responsible for the security of the eastern border of the European Union, both in terms of defence against foreign states and irregular immigrants. Poland will spend 4.3% of its GDP on defence this year and 4.7% next year, topping the list of spenders among NATO member states.

The fact we are investing so much in our defence, in our security, and we are doing it in a well-thought-out way, also builds the image of Poland as a country that really knows what is at stake, that really wants to take care of security,

the Prime Minister said.

The construction of one of the strongest armies in the EU, the unwavering stance of the Polish government, the authorities operating on the border with Belarus do not go unnoticed by those, who aid irregular border crossings.

Since December 2023, the Polish government has been tightening control of the border with Belarus, which is attacked every day as part of the so-called hybrid warfare. Poland's borders are guarded by thousands of police officers, soldiers and border guard officers.

The human traffickers and people in the countries of origin are increasingly aware that this border is impenetrable. If it proves to be impenetrable in the future, no one will die there. Anyone who is persecuted will be able to come to Poland. The conditions are clear - they need to fulfil all the procedures and do it lawfully. There is no way someone could enter Poland illegally and count on us turning a blind eye to it,

the Prime Minister noted.

In less than a year, only two people have lost their lives at the border. 18 people died there in 2023.

Years of neglect are evident not only in the areas of defence and migration policies. The actions of the previous government blocked the transfer of billions of zlotys that could have been allocated to important investments.

Europe, its institutions, the heads of state, pretty much everybody has accepted that Poland has regained access to European funds and has once again become the centre of Europe and its heart. In a sense, millions of Polish people made that decision, thanks to them - rather than our actions - Poland returned to Europe and Europe regained Poland. Money is just a part of the deal,

said the Prime Minister.

Since the first days in power, the government has also been concerned with the security of citizens in other areas, which is reflected in new benefits for families and those most in need, support for entrepreneurs and healthcare providers. As of today, Poles can take advantage of new subsidies, the 800+ programme or special leave for entrepreneurs.

The Prime Minister pointed out that no change could take place if it were not for the support and will of the people and thanked everybody who trusted the current government.

We are aware of how much we owe to millions of people who, against all odds, went and voted to take the power from the people who destroyed the Polish state for 8 years, along with our hopes and dreams. This is the true guarantee. This is the actual foundation of these good, positive changes. We are mere workers. We are here to turn these hopes, dreams, our commitments, the expectations of our voters into facts every day, every month. The most important thing is that we will maintain and accelerate the changes that we started at the end of last year,

Donald Tusk explained.

The Prime Minister noted that Poles want a completely different Poland than they had under the previous government - they expect the highest standards. Voters' demands motivate the government to act, as the government pledges to continue working for the country and its people.