Belarus crisis: is the EU paying for fences after all? European migration policy facing a surprising turnaround

With the Belarus crisis, EU migration policy is now facing a turning point.

The Union could now support the construction of border fences financially.

Brussels / Munich - Soon the external borders of the EU * could be protected with fences, the construction of which is financially supported by Brussels, indicated EU Council President Charles Michel * during his visit to Warsaw.

Such a decision would be a significant U-turn in European migration policy - and a political defeat for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has so far spoken out against such a project.

In view of the refugee crisis on the EU's eastern external border between Belarus and Poland, EU Council President Charles Michel visited the Polish capital, Warsaw.

There he met the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Belarus crisis: will the EU now financially support border fences?

In Warsaw, Michel announced the possibility of financing “physical infrastructure at the borders”.

This will be discussed in the coming days.

With this, Michel openly challenged the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The commission * under her leadership had previously resisted the project several times.

At the end of October, the responsible interior commissioner, Ylva Johansson, stated that von der Leyen had already made it clear at the last EU summit that “the Commission is not making any money available for the establishment of physical barriers”.

Belarus refugee flow: expert opinion opens the door to financing border fences

With the latest statements by EU Council President Michel, Brussels now seems to be moving in a different direction.

The final decision on the erection of border fences would have to be made by the EU Commission, underlined Michel.

She refuses to pay with EU funds, but the pressure on Commission President von der Leyen is now growing tremendously.

Because behind Michel’s statements there is a legal opinion that additionally fueled the debate about physical barriers.

According to this report by legal experts at the European Council, it is entirely possible to finance “physical infrastructure” for border protection from EU funds.

"Based on the opinion of our legal service, it is legally possible," emphasized Michel.

Michel stressed that this question should be clarified quickly.

An extensive debate had already taken place at the EU summit in October.

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In Warsaw, EU Council President Charles Michel held out the prospect of financing fences at European borders.

© MARCIN OBARA / PAP / dpa

Belarus crisis: Michel calls for an end to the “hybrid attack” against the EU

In addition, Michel said Poland is facing a "serious crisis" and needs to enjoy the "solidarity and unity" of the whole EU: "It is a hybrid attack, a brutal attack, a violent attack and a shameful attack."

The only response to these attacks, said Michel, is a firm and unified response in line with European values.

The EU Council President condemned the actions of the authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to "cynically" place migrants in an unacceptable situation.

Sanctions are on the table.

We must now coordinate with member states to identify the most efficient tools.

We are ready to use them on the #Belarus regime and those participating in this system.

Hybrid attacks against the EU must stop.

We must show our strong unity.

@MorawieckiM pic.twitter.com/c9sRGBJro3

- Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 10, 2021

"The hybrid attack against the EU - not only Poland, but also against the EU - must end," said Michel in Warsaw.

There are also other sanctions on the table.

In order to make the best possible decisions and to be effective, one wants to ensure coordination with all EU member states.

Previously, migration expert Gerald Knaus described further sanctions as just "symbolic" measures.

List of rubric lists: © MARCIN OBARA / PAP / dpa