The Seimas expresses support for Poland defending its territory and the EU’s external border

Press release, 11 November 2021 

 

In response to the serious escalation of the situation on the Polish border, with irregular migrants attempting on a massive scale to illegally push their way into the Polish territory across the border with Belarus, the Seimas expresses its support for Poland defending its territory and the EU’s external border.

 

The relevant Resolution of the Seimas (draft No XIVP-1047(2)) has been adopted by 96 members of the Seimas voting in favour with one abstention.

 

The Resolution expresses concern over the attempt, undertaken by hostile forces, to undermine the unity of the European Union by organising the unlawful movement of foreigners from third countries into the territories of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which constitutes a crime against humanity and the principles of international law.

 

As Resolution highlights, the worsening of the situation indicates that the Belarusian regime is moving towards active offensive and provocative actions.

 

The Lithuanian Parliament notes the need for intensive dialogue between the European Commission and the institutions of the Republic of Poland in order to address arising challenges in a pragmatic way, including further dialogue in a broader format.

 

The Seimas also appreciates the close cooperation with Poland to counter the hybrid attack by the Belarusian regime and the joint efforts to achieve EU-wide solutions, including the swiftest possible decision-making regarding sanctions against all participants of the migrant smuggling scheme developed by this regime and the restructuring of the EU’s migration policy and legal framework in such a way as to allow for the immediate and appropriate action and measures to be taken by the EU Member States that are affected by the hybrid attack.

 

Today, Poland celebrates its Independence Day. On this occasion, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, congratulated Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate; Elżbieta Witek, Marshal of the Sejm of the Polish Parliament; and all the people of the country on her own behalf and on behalf of the Seimas.

 

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]