Poland considers completely closing its border with Belarus
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (photo: Getty Images)
Tension has been growing on the Polish-Belarusian border recently due to migrants. Warsaw is considering closing all checkpoints, states Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
"We are now studying the consequences this will have for our economy and local communities," Sikorski said.
He noted that Poland, like a few years ago, is now suffering from an influx of migrants. They are trying to get to the European Union from Belarus. The Polish Foreign Minister believes that this is happening under the control of Belarusian and Russian services.
"It is particularly shocking that the functionaries of the Belarusian state instruct these people how to beat Polish soldiers and Polish border guards even when our guys are wearing bulletproof vests. This is completely unacceptable," the minister said.
Sikorski said that the final decision to close the checkpoints will be made after analyzing its consequences.
Background
The situation in Poland near the border with Belarus is currently difficult due to a strong influx of illegal migrants. As it became known, migrants recently attacked Polish soldiers while trying to illegally cross the border. One of them died as a result of a stabbing.
Against this background, the Polish authorities decided to hold a meeting of the National Security Council.