Tusk vows: 'EU will not enforce migrant quotas on our nation' following approval of migration pact by member states
The European Union's newly proposed asylum and migration system has been ratified, despite Poland's dissenting vote against the entire migration pact.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk reaffirmed his commitment today, ensuring that Poland "will not be compelled to receive any migrants, and the EU will not enforce migrant quotas upon us," following the European Council's decision.
The primary objective of the pact is to standardize regulations for asylum seekers arriving in Europe. The most contentious aspect has been the "solidarity mechanism," aiming to assist member states facing the frontline of migration.
This mechanism would necessitate other member states to accept relocated migrants from these frontline states, pay €20,000 for each migrant refused, or negotiate alternative forms of support for the affected country.
Poland's former national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government strongly opposed this element last year, a stance upheld by the current government led by Tusk. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, representing Poland in the vote, criticized the pact's failure to consider the unique challenges faced by countries bordering Belarus.
The term "hybrid war" refers to the crisis Poland encountered on its Belarusian border since mid-2021, initiated by Belarusian authorities encouraging migrants to cross into the EU.
Domański attributed Poland's unfavorable position to the previous PiS government's inadequate negotiation of the EU pact. Despite Poland's opposition, Tusk expressed determination to ensure Poland benefits from the pact, citing the country's acceptance of migrants from Ukraine and Belarus.
However, former PiS Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki cautioned that Poland might be compelled to receive illegal immigrants or face significant fines, contrary to Tusk's assurances.
Tusk countered, stating, "We will not bear any financial burden, nor will we be obliged to accept migrants from other directions. We have secured provisions to mitigate the pact's threat to Poland."
As of March, Poland hosted 955,520 Ukrainian refugees, the EU's second-highest number after Germany. Morawiecki urged the government to contest the migration pact at the European Court of Justice, referencing the 2018 European summit's conclusions on Poland's voluntary participation in relocation mechanisms.
Patryk Jaki, a politician from Sovereign Poland, a junior coalition partner during PiS's tenure, criticized Tusk's failed promises regarding EU alliances and blocking the relocation mechanism for Poland.