EU stands with Poland amid ‘hybrid attack’ by Belarus: von der Leyen
The European Union stands together with Poland and the Baltic states in the face of a migrant surge and “hybrid attack” by Belarus, the bloc’s chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Wednesday during an annual policy speech to the European Parliament.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual policy speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on September 15, 2021.Photo: EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
“Look at what happened at our borders with Belarus,” von der Leyen told European lawmakers. „The regime in Minsk has instrumentalised human beings. They have put people on planes and literally pushed them towards Europe’s borders.”
She added: “This can never be tolerated. And the quick European reaction shows that. And rest assured, we will continue to stand together with Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. And, let’s call it what it is: this is a hybrid attack to destabilise Europe.”
Von der Leyen also said that „these are not isolated events” as similar incidents had taken place „at other borders” and „we can expect to see it again.”
„This is why … we will set out new ways to respond to such aggression and ensure unity in protecting our external borders,” she announced.
„But as long as we do not find common ground on how to manage migration, our opponents will continue to target that,” she added.
Poland this month declared a state of emergency in parts of two regions bordering Belarus.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, ec.europa.eu
