The state of emergency at the border with Belarus has been replaced with a ban on entering the zone, effective until March 1, 2022. Organised groups of reporters will be allowed to enter the area under the watch of border guards. A press centre for reporters has been opened in Popławce, just outside the zone. The government held the first press conference there. "We are prepared for more organised migrant groups appearing in the coming months," said the government spokesperson, specifying that the migrants are likely to come from Afghanistan. Deputy foreign minister urged to not get distracted with the border situation from what was happening in Belarus.
A press centre for reporters has been opened in Popławce, Podlaskie Voivodeship (a village located outside the restricted area). "The centre has been established mainly for reporters to have a place to warm and eat something. There's a small kitchen and a toilet. Conferences will be held in a special room upstairs. Downstairs are tables where one can charge their phone, computer, and other work tools. It's been announced that also training and workshops for journalists will be held here," said TVN24 reporter Marta Abramczyk, who has seen the press centre.
On Friday, a press conference with government spokesman Piotr Müller, Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz, and Chief of Podlasie Border Guard Unit General Andrzej Jakubaszek.
Gov't spokesman: we expect more migrant groups in coming months
Spokesperson for the government, Piotr Müller, spoke about "fake migration movements" sparked by the Belarusian regime and Russia.
"At the moment, we are prepared for more organised migrant groups appearing in the coming months. This time however - according to diplomatic reports and intelligence gathered by our and our partners' services - organised migration movements from the territory of Afghanistan," he said.
Chief of Podlasie Border Guard Unit, General Andrzej Jakubaszek, said that "numbers may indicate a certain stabilisation". "Indeed there are fewer people there," he admitted.
Deputy MFA chief: don't get distracted from situation in Belarus
Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz urged that the situation at the Polish-Belarusian border "should not distract us from what is still happenning in Belarus". "Journalists are held in prisons, over 800 political prisoners are still kept behind bars in harsh conditions," he said.
Przydacz pointed out that the EU has finally approved the list of particular individuals and companies the sanctions would be slapped with sanctions. "They are 17 persons responsible behind a hybrid operation, as well as people responsible for all repressions," he explained.
He added that the Lukashenko regime most vulnerable places that should be hit with sanctions are companies from oil, energy, chemicals, and airlines sectors.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, TVN24, PAP