Leaders of the EU member states expressed solidarity with Poland regarding the fight against illegal migrants, as well as a determination to ensure effective control over the EU's external borders.
This is stated in the final document of the European Council meeting, as reported by "European Truth".
In the final document, the European Council called on the Council, member states, and the Commission to intensify efforts across all areas within a comprehensive approach to migration.
In particular, the document emphasizes the importance of implementing the adopted EU legislation and applying existing laws to best address current challenges.
"Furthermore, new ways to prevent and combat illegal migration should be considered in accordance with EU and international law," the conclusions state.
Additionally, EU member state leaders stressed that "Russia, Belarus, or any other country must not be allowed to exploit values, including the right to asylum, and undermine democracies".
"The European Council expresses its solidarity with Poland and the member states facing these challenges. Exceptional situations require appropriate measures," the document states.
The European Council also reminded of its determination to ensure effective control over the EU's external borders by all available means.
It should be noted that the publication Politico reported that this conclusion was a victory for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who wanted the EU to support the idea that the country could cite security concerns as justification for suspending the right to asylum.
"I just returned from a meeting with all the key leaders, and I achieved what I wanted to achieve," Tusk told reporters.
As a reminder, the Polish government on October 15 approved a migration strategy for 2025-2030, which, among other things, includes the suspension of the right to asylum for migrants and mechanisms for the return of the diaspora.
The European Commission previously stated that Poland's intentions to unilaterally deny asylum to migrants threaten to violate the country's obligations to uphold human rights.
This came after Tusk stated on October 12 that the strategy developed by his government to combat illegal migration involves a temporary territorial suspension of the right to asylum.
Also read on this topic: Migrants that divided Poland: why the new government maintained the policies of its predecessors.