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Polish Defense Ministry on Eastern Shield: Expropriations to be rare

12.11.2024 16:50
The Polish Defense Ministry assured that the Eastern Shield initiative, aimed at strengthening border security, will largely rely on state-owned land, with expropriations being rare and incidental.
C. Tomczyk (4L) and S. Wziątek (3L) from the Ministry of National Defense, are seen alongside J. Brzozowski (5L), the Podlaskie Voivode at a press conference about Eastern Shield initiative in Białystok, eastern Poland.
C. Tomczyk (4L) and S. Wziątek (3L) from the Ministry of National Defense, are seen alongside J. Brzozowski (5L), the Podlaskie Voivode at a press conference about Eastern Shield initiative in Białystok, eastern Poland. PAP/Artur Reszko

On Tuesday, a press conference on the Eastern Shield initiative was held in Białystok, eastern Poland, featuring Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk, among others.

"All our efforts, including the Eastern Shield initiative and the construction or modernization of the border barrier, aim to ensure the safety of both Podlasie residents and tourists," said Tomczyk.

Eastern Shield investments to use state-owned land, expropriations will be rare

Deputy Minister Stanisław Wziątek stated that the Eastern Shield investments will be implemented on state-owned land, including areas managed by the State Forests and other public assets.

He assured that there are no plans for large-scale expropriations, with any such cases being rare and incidental.

Eastern Shield: securing Poland's borders with €2.3 billion investment

The program, with a minimum cost of 10 billion złotys (2.3 billion EUR), will be funded through the national budget, EU grants, and NATO support.

Its goal is to create the most secure and innovative border in Europe, featuring a range of fortifications, terrain obstacles, and military infrastructure along Poland’s 800-kilometer borders with Russia and Belarus.

Cezary Tomczyk emphasized that these initiatives are designed to guarantee security for local communities and visitors alike.

Source: PAP/MON/TVN24/X/@SztabGenWP

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