"Russia and Belarus, or any other country, cannot be allowed to abuse our values, including the right to asylum, and to undermine our democracies," EU leaders said in conclusions to their summit in Brussels this week.
The European Council, which brings together the leaders of the EU's 27 member countries, expressed "its solidarity with Poland and with Member States facing these challenges."
It further stated that "exceptional situations require appropriate measures" voiced their "determination to ensure effective control of the Union’s external borders through all available means ... in line with EU and international law."
The European Council also reaffirmed "its commitment to countering the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes."
In addition, "new ways to prevent and counter irregular migration should be considered, in line with EU and international law," it said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that "more European leaders have come to realise that current approaches, including the migration package, are not the right response to the threat posed by mass illegal migration."
He said that the summit confirmed EU leaders "fully understand Poland's situation on its eastern border."
He added that "regardless of political views, everyone in the European Council has finally acknowledged that the circumstances have changed, and we are facing a new form of migration, where authoritarian regimes are orchestrating large-scale people smuggling."
Ahead of the summit, Tusk dismissed criticism of his government's new migration strategy, pledging to safeguard the country's eastern border against hostile actions from Russia and its ally Belarus.
Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Tusk defended his plan to temporarily stop accepting asylum applications from migrants illegally crossing Poland's eastern border with Belarus.
He rejected criticism from human rights activists who argued that the move would violate Poland's constitution and international law.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addresses parliament in Warsaw on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
"No one is talking about infringing on human rights or the right to asylum," Tusk said.
"We are talking about not granting rights to people who illegally cross the border in groups organised by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko," he added.
Poland and the EU have accused Belarus and Russia of deliberately sending migrants from the Middle East and Africa to the Polish border.
Tusk told lawmakers on Wednesday: "Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow in Brussels, we will defend the Polish border using all legal means at our disposal."
"Poland cannot and will not be helpless," he added, referring to efforts since 2021 to manage the migrant crisis at the Belarusian border.
Tusk spoke to the lower house of parliament following President Andrzej Duda's earlier remarks suggesting that the new asylum policy, adopted by the government late on Tuesday, could harm Belarusian opposition figures seeking refuge.
Tusk dismissed this criticism, saying that the new policy targets migrants deliberately sent across the border by Belarusian authorities.
Tusk said last Saturday that Poland is open to legal migrants, but they must be willing to integrate into society without compromising national security.
Speaking at a convention of his governing Civic Coalition (KO) group, Tusk said at the time: "If someone wants to come to Poland permanently, work longer, and study longer, they must be prepared to respect Polish standards and our way of life, and they must want to integrate."
Donald Tusk speaks at a convention of his governing Civic Coalition (KO) group in Warsaw on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak
While outlining the government’s new long-term migration strategy, entitled "Regaining Control, Ensuring Security," he asserted: "We will not adopt or implement any European or EU policies if we believe they could compromise our security."
'Temporary territorial suspension of the right to asylum'
Tusk also said at the gathering that Poland was planning to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of efforts to curb illegal migration amid tensions with Belarus and Russia.
"One of the elements of the migration strategy will be the temporary territorial suspension of the right to asylum," he said.
"I will demand this and seek recognition in Europe for this decision," he added.
Tusk argued that the right to asylum was being exploited by Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and by people smugglers "in a manner that goes against the essence" of the asylum system, news agencies reported.
That announcement by Tusk triggered a wave of criticism from human rights groups.
Speaking earlier last week, Tusk said that the new strategy would focus on combating illegal immigration and propose a modern migration policy for the EU in the years ahead.
Tusk said in April that Poland would not agree to the EU's relocation mechanism for migrants, despite its approval by the European Parliament.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVN24, Reuters, consilium.europa.eu