A Spat over Border Controls: Tusk Snubs Merz's Migration Agenda
Merz's migration route excludes Tusk's destination.
Chancellor Merz kicks off his tenure with a trip to Paris and Warsaw, but a frosty welcome awaits him in Poland. Prime Minister Tusk isn't merely offering warm words. Poland is none too pleased about the new federal government's migration policy.
Tusk has taken Germany's planned migration policy to task. "Germany lets anyone it wants into its territory, while Poland only admits those we accept." Tusk's remarks were delivered during Merz's inaugural visit to Poland, expressing his disapproval of the black-red coalition's migration path. Tusk aims to dispel any misconceptions that Germany would send specific groups of migrants to Poland.
Politics: Dobrindt Announces Asylum Rejections as Poland Balks
Tusk's criticism centers on the "Dublin center" being constructed near Poland's border with Germany, designed to facilitate the return of asylum seekers to other EU countries, particularly Poland.
Not only does Poland oppose Merz's border control tightening, but Tusk is also against such controls at the Polish border. "If someone institutes controls at our border, we will do the same. It's nonsensical in the long run."
Securing External Borders: A Shared Responsibility
Tusk points out Poland's significant role in safeguarding the EU's external border. The government in Poland accuses the Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, of intentionally pushing migrants from crisis regions to the EU's eastern border. Tusk expects cooperation from the new German government in securing the external borders.
Politics: Strategies against Illegal Migration
Merz pledges Poland's support in safeguarding the EU's external border. "We believe it's our duty to better protect these European external borders with German assistance and aid than we've managed in the past." A joint European approach to curtail illegal migration is Merz's goal, while he reiterates his commitment to Schengen rules, which promote open borders within the EU.
As Merz advocates for reinforced border controls, he defends his position by emphasizing their importance in fostering local job markets and prosperity. Maintaining the free movement of people in the EU is a shared interest, according to Merz.
Sources: ntv.de, jog/dpa
- Poland
- Germany
- Friedrich Merz
- Alexander Dobrindt
- Migration
- Migrants
- Immigration
- Refugees
- Refugee policy
- EU
- Enrichment Data:Currently, Germany has encforced stricter border controls with Poland, and several other countries, to combat irregular migration[1][2]. Poland has expressed concerns about the potential impact of these controls on daily border traffic[2].
The "Dublin center" mentioned in the article remains an unspecified entity, but it may be connected to the Dublin Regulation, a European Union law that determines which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application.
Key Points:- Border Controls: Germany implements stricter border controls with Poland, facing resistance due to the impact on daily border crossing procedures[1][2].- Migration Policy: Germany seeks to limit irregular migration through fortified controls, while Poland is apprehensive about the potential consequences[2].- Dublin Regulation: Although not specifically named in relation to Poland and Germany, it has a crucial role in shaping the EU's broader asylum and migration policies.
- Poland has voiced opposition to Germany's migration policy, particularly their plans for constructing a Dublin center near the border, as expressed by Prime Minister Tusk during Chancellor Merz's inaugural visit.
- Tusk criticized Germany's policy, stating that they accept anyone they wish, while Poland only admits those they accept, and expressed concerns about specific groups of migrants potentially being sent to Poland.
- Despite his opposition to border control tightening at the Polish border, Tusk acknowledged Poland's significant role in safeguarding the EU's external borders and expressed the expectation for cooperation from the new German government in this area.
- Merz, in response to concerns about border controls, emphasized their importance in fostering local job markets and prosperity, while also reiterating his commitment to Schengen rules promoting open borders within the EU and advocating for a joint European approach to curtail illegal migration.
