Polish PM rejects implementation of EU Migration Pact
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Poland will not implement the European Union’s (EU) Migration Pact or accept any provisions that would require the country to take in relocated migrants from other EU nations.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Tusk emphasized that his decision is final and urged that the issue should not be politicized.
He ruled out any scenario in which Poland would be obligated to pay for refusing migrant relocation, rejecting claims that the Migration Pact imposes such financial penalties, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Some people imagine the pact working that way, but I rule out any scenario where Poland is forced to act simply because the Migration Pact says so,” he stated.
While the European Parliament recently approved reforms to the EU’s migration policy, Tusk reiterated that Poland will not participate in migrant relocation, stressing that all migration-related decisions for his country will be made in Warsaw, not Brussels.
Tusk clarified that Poland does not oppose the implementation of the Migration Pact in other EU countries such as Italy and Spain. However, he maintained that Poland needs EU support to address its own migration challenges rather than being compelled to comply with relocation measures.
His comments come amid an ongoing EU debate on migration policies, with some member states advocating for collective responsibility while others, including Poland, firmly oppose mandatory relocation.
Earlier, the European Commission stated that Poland will not be exempt from the obligations of the EU Migration Pact.
However, Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, speaking on February 1, dismissed that claim, saying, “No decisions can be made at an informal summit within the EU.”
Despite this, the European Commission confirmed in writing in January that the Migration Pact is moving forward and that Poland cannot opt out of its obligations.
