The Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer has spoken out in favor of stronger security of the EU's external borders with a view to the situation in Belarus.
Dresden - The number of refugees who want to enter Germany via Poland has increased again in the past few weeks.
According to many EU politicians, one of the main reasons for this is the new course taken by the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko.
The 67-year-old should no longer prevent refugees in Belarus from continuing their journey and even bring them to the western border with Poland in controlled actions.
Lukashenko is probably reacting to the new sanctions that the EU has imposed on Belarus.
Kretschmer (CDU) for securing the external borders - "We need fences"
The Polish government has therefore brought into play the possibility of securing the EU's external border in the future with a wall or a fortified border system. A scenario that is also receiving support from high-ranking politicians in Germany. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) also spoke out in favor of securing the external borders in view of the tense situation on the German-Polish border.
"We need fences and we probably also need walls," said the 46-year-old in Brussels on Tuesday.
The measures would be bitter and would not result in nice pictures, but are also necessary to get the current situation under control.
"Nobody is interested in walls, but now it's about the European Union proving its ability to defend itself," the CDU regional chief continued.
Prime Minister Kretschmer calls for a “strong” EU as an antithesis to Lukashenko
Kretschmer had previously met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the current situation in Belarus and on the German-Polish border.
“I would like this European Union to be strong now and straighten its back.
We mustn't allow ourselves to be blackmailed by such a dictator, ”Kretschmer said afterwards, referring to Lukashenko.
The Saxon Prime Minister emphasized that one had to tackle this crisis at the roots and enter into negotiations with the countries of origin.
Nevertheless, the EU's “physical borders” with Belarus would have to be established right now, which could, however, be dismantled again if Belarus were to become democratic.
European Union continues to discuss measures against Lukashenko
Last week's EU summit also discussed the current situation and condemned Lukashenko's efforts as an attack on the European Union.
However, it was not possible to achieve a joint approach to a solution with a view to the external borders.
(fd)