The European Commission reiterated on 8 November the availability of European agencies such as Frontex, EASO and Europol to help Poland, which has reported new difficulties at its border with Belarus, with new arrivals of migrants exceeding several thousand people, according to some media.
“Our reports speak of several hundred people” massed at the border, confirmed Commission spokesman Adalbert Jahnz, again condemning the attempt to “use” people to “destabilise the EU” and reminding Warsaw that European assistance is still on the table.
Poland, which for the time being refuses the agencies’ intervention, accused Belarus of seeking to provoke a “major incident” on the border between the two countries, “preferably with gunfire and casualties: according to media reports, they are preparing a serious provocation near Kuźnica, there will be an attempt to cross the border in a massive way”, Polish deputy foreign minister Piotr Wawrzyk was quoted by Reuters as saying.
“The Polish authorities are ready for any scenario”, said Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Wasik. Lithuania also decided on 8 November to move troops to its border with Belarus to prepare for a possible influx of refugees.
Sanctions
When asked about the European response to this instrumentalisation of migrants by the Belarusian regime, the Commission indicated on 8 November that work on amending the sanctions regime was underway, while 166 individuals and 14 entities have already been targeted by retaliatory measures (see EUROPE 12742/2).
While many flights continue to be operated from Iraq to Minsk, a number of flights also pass through Istanbul.
The Commission will have a discussion with Ankara on this, said Peter Stano, spokesman for High Representative Josep Borrell. The EU Foreign Ministers will return to the subject on 15 November. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)