Guarding Poland's eastern borders

terespol.jpg

From 2004 Poland will be the eastern gateway to the European Union. This eastern frontier is likely to be the main entry point for refugees and illegal migrants to the EU so Poland is busy modernising its border crossing facilities. But it's also trying to avoid becoming a fortress to its eastern neighbours. Danuta Szafraniec makes a trip to the Terespol border crossing point with Belarus

As of 2004 Poland will be the eastern gateway to the European Union. This eastern frontier will, even more than today, be the main enter point for eastern tourist refugees and illegal migrants to the European Union. And with an eastern border, that is 1200 kilometres long, pressing up against Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine, Poland will control the longest eastern border in the European Union. At present there are 8 checking points along the border with the Ukraine and 9 with Belarus, which have been properly equipped and strengthened with the help of the EU through various types of pre-accession funds. What is important is the fact that Poland will, from May 2004, become a member of the Schengen area, so the Schengen Acquis will have to be complied with no opt out possibilities. Polish officials are optimistic about the progress made in the area of adjusting Poland's borders to the EU standards. Janusz Gonciarz, general consul from the Department of European Integration told me that many investments have already been made. Hence, Poland will have its eastern border ready even before May 2004. Is Poland prepared to face the fact that its eastern border, in accordance with the Schengen agreement, will become the external border of the whole European Union?

"We can certainly say that Poland is well prepared to play a role of a country who is responsible for management of the external European Union border."

I understand that the tightening of our borders was partly possible through funds from the European Union. Can we talk about money?

"Believe me, there are billions of euros invested in the past and billions of euros which will be invested in the future. These investments allow us to meet criterion standards of the European Union which are very high."

And another aspect resulting out of the Schengen agreement, which is the introduction of visas to our neighbours.

"Yes, this is a question of bilateral agreements with the countries - with Russia, with Belarus, with Ukraine and Moldova, proposed very flexible solutions to our neighbours. For example with Ukraine there is an agreement that visas will be free of charge for Ukrainian citizens."

Does it mean actually that there will be more check points along the border from May 2004?

"Yes, this is really the intention of the Polish government - to make cross border traffic as easy as possible. It's not the question of isolating ourselves from our neighbours. This is rather a question of safety and security."

My trip to the Terespol border crossing point showed that Poland is busy modernizing its border crossing facilities and investing in infrastructure with the hope of meeting Schengen requirements. But it's also trying not to create the impression among its eastern neighbours of becoming part of the fortress Europe.