The head of the Defence Ministry said this after a briefing for Polish soldiers in Tomaszów Mazowiecki on Saturday - adding that the buffer zone will be introduced in 26 areas in the Hajnówka district and in 1 area in the Białystok district.
The government is ready to help enterprises in border areas too, Kosiniak-Kamysz said - underlining that the government's priority is the country's security, but the economy and the people are important as well. He pointed out that many companies will soon benefit from the construction of the so-called 'Shield East' and the connected expansion of border fortifications. He added that today the local service industries, such as hotels and restaurants, also earn money by serving the army.
"We need such service places for soldiers and officers, so we will support them in this way - and if there is a need to support entrepreneurs in the border area, we are open to it too" - said the Polish Peasants' Party PSL leader.
The government explains that restoring the buffer zone is necessary to ensure better border protection and increase the safety of the officers guarding it. In recent weeks, attempts to illegally cross the Polish border have intensified, especially by aggressive large groups of migrants coming from Belarus - according to reports, deliberately formed and additionally 'motivated' by Belarusian special forces.
As a result of such attacks, approximately ten Polish soldiers and border guard officers were injured throughout May.
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Source: IAR