Building further safety features, strengthening the barrier on the Polish-Belarusian border, involving thousands of soldiers, tens of millions of euros obtained from the Union and a fresh kind of service in the Border defender – these are the topics that Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs Tomasz Siemoniak raised during today's visit to Podlaski.
On Saturday 22 March, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Home Minister, peculiar Services Coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak paid a visit to the Polish border with Belarus. They first took part in the briefing of uniformed services in Krynkach (Podlaskie province), then a press conference was held close the village of Ozeroany Małe.
– present I received a study which confirms a kind of organizational and political patronage of president Lukashenko's administration. We know about Russian engagement, so we are dealing with both state and smuggling machinery," said the Prime Minister about expanding migration force and hybrid activities.
Tusk stressed that those liable for smuggling migrants are being put in the hands of the services, and that another specified criminals are discouraged by increased security, military presence, etc. He besides added that the talks with the soldiers showed that the terms of their service had improved. “There is more and more satisfaction that what we have organised here together makes this service modern and as comfortable as possible”, said the head of government.
The fact that there is now more emphasis on providing comfort and safety for soldiers serving at the borderDeputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish besides said. The national defence minister mentioned, among others, the amendment of the law concerning the usage of smooth-bore weapons with non-penetrating ammunition and better individual military equipment. – Very important, and that is what we achieved last year, is the harmonious cooperation between the military and all services under Mr. Minister Siemoniak. Everyone wants to show their best, but cooperation here is the key to success. Similarly, the unity of all of us in Poland on the “Hard East” and the safe border is the state's ration," the head of the MON stressed.
Deputy Prime Minister recalled that Since February, the military tasks related to border protection are carried out by the 12th Mechanized Division. At present, about 5,000 soldiers service there, and another 1000 stay in retreat. In total, 17 1000 soldiers are posted to 1 of the largest military operations in Poland's past after 1989.
The head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs Tomasz Siemoniak in his speech pointed out that erstwhile the current government assumed work for the barrier at the border with Belarus, it provided small protection against migrants. “The dam could be overcome in 20 seconds with a jack,” said the minister, whose ministry, he admitted, took care of a crucial strengthening of this structure and installing further safety features.
– We plan various actions to guarantee that there is no danger of illegal immigrants crossing rivers, watercourses, wetlands. This is the precedence of the Ministry of abroad Affairs – said Minister Siemoniak and mentioned 52 million euros late obtained from EU funds. They will be intended for widely understood border sealing, acquisition of drones, ICT devices, etc.
At the end of December, the modernization of the permanent barrier on the Polish-Belarusian border for over 117 million PLN ended. Additional reinforcements and wire were fitted. On the sections of the Istochanka and Świsłocz rivers in the Podlasie state (total approx. 47 km) there is besides an electronic dam, consisting of over 500 pillars and 1.3 1000 cameras. The investment cost more than PLN 85 million.
General Robert Bagan, Chief of Border Guard, at the conference, announced that the electronic barrier on the Bug (172 km) would be full operational by July at the latest. Further activities are the construction of a road moving along a physical barrier (186 km) and the placement of 5 reflection towers in the river areas of the Podlaskie province, which will be utilized by the SG and the military.
– From January, we began recruiting for a fresh kind of contract service. Any man and any female who meets the requirements will be able to enter the service on a section of the Podlasie and Nadbuzhian branch of the Border Guard," General Bagan announced. They are to be directed towards direct border protection activities. From 2025 to 1927, the government intends to allocate funds for 1500 specified contracts (500 per year each).
