Poland to reinstate border controls with Germany, Lithuania from July 7

The border control measures introduced by Germany were originally expected to end in September, but Polish authorities have received information that Germany has decided to extend them.

WARSAW, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that Poland will temporarily reinstate border checks with Germany and Lithuania, starting July 7, to curb illegal immigration.

"We believe that it is necessary to temporarily reintroduce control measures to minimize the number of migrants crossing the Polish-German border in an uncontrolled manner," Tusk said.

He added that Poland will also restore checkpoints near the Lithuanian border to prevent illegal crossings. According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the Polish government has informed the Lithuanian authorities and relevant European Union institutions of the decision.

"The border control measures introduced by Germany were originally expected to end in September, but we have received information that Germany has decided to extend them. Our response will be symmetrical," Tusk was quoted by PAP as saying.

Germany introduced border controls along its border with Poland in October 2023 in an effort to curb illegal migration. ■