Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday the restoration of border controls from 7 July at borders with Germany and Lithuania. This decision sparked the reaction of Lithuanian abroad Minister Kęstutis Budrys, who called for the avoidance of politicising border protection measures.
Minister Budrys stressed that, in view of the arrangements made under the Schengen Agreement, border checks are not solely a substance for individual countries. He pointed out that this is simply a problem requiring global cooperation.
Lithuania calls for proportionate action
«This is an issue we are already working on here and in Brussels so that all procedures are respected and decisions are made on the basis of actual data and needs. They must be proportionate, targeted precisely and not politically motivated" - said Budrys.
When asked about the political aspects of the Polish decision, the minister replied that “he wants to be certain that it was taken on the basis of hard data alternatively than soft assumptions or any kind of interior situation”. At the same time, Budrys admitted that the number of illegal immigrants reaching Lithuania and Poland is indeed increasing.
Growth in border migrants
According to the Lithuanian Border defender (VSAT) data, 352 migrants were detained in the first half of 2025, who reached Lithuania from Belarus and attempted to enter Western Europe. In the same period last year, it was 140 people.
On Tuesday, the head of Lithuanian diplomacy reported that the interior services of Lithuania and Poland are consulted on border protection. There are besides talks with Latvia to coordinate action.
Lithuanian officers support Latvia
The Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania reported on Tuesday that Lithuanian services are sending their officers to Latvia to strengthen the fight against illegal migration. 8 police officers have begun to service there for the time being, and they will shortly be joined by Lithuanian border guards.
(PAP) Note: This article was edited with Artificial Intelligence.
