President Nausėda thanked President Duda for Poland’s support in providing the necessary means for the accommodation of migrants and a helicopter to strengthen the protection of the external border of the European Union with Belarus. The leaders of both countries underscored that the flow of illegal migration was a hybrid attack used by Belarus as a geopolitical weapon against the EU. They discussed joint actions and agreed to speak with one voice in the fight against illegal migration.
“Protecting the EU’s external border is a shared concern of the European institutions and EU member states. Illegal migration can be used against any member state; therefore, urgent regional measures are needed. Preparations must be made in advance, especially in the run-up to the military exercise Zapad, when new provocations may emerge,” President Nausėda said.
During the telephone conversation, President Gitanas Nausėda stressed the urgent need to build a physical barrier for which the EU’s financial support was paramount. EU’s assistance is also needed in implementing procedures for the readmission of irregular migrants. According to the President of Lithuania, the discussions are ongoing already with the countries of origin and transit of migrants to stem migratory flows, curb human smuggling, and prevent possible terrorist threats.
