During the press conference, Minister Tomasz Siemoniak spoke about the good cooperation with Lithuania. 

I am grateful to the Minister and the Lithuanian delegation for the opportunity to meet at the Polish-Lithuanian border. We discussed this by phone a few days ago - our conversation preceded the Polish authorities' decision to reinstate border checks. I have warned the Lithuanian side and we have agreed that we would confirm that Polish-Lithuanian relations are very good

- he pointed out. 

The Minister of the Interior and Administration stated that the measures taken by Poland are not directed against Lithuania. ‘We warmly welcome Lithuanian citizens to spend time here as tourists or for business purposes. They will always be welcome in the Republic of Poland

- he said. 

He also pointed out that he had arranged with the Lithuanian Minister of the Interior to jointly monitor the situation once the checks are in place. The Minister of the Interior and Administration also brought up talks with representatives of the European Commission. 

We have submitted the appropriate notification and informed the European Commission. I personally called Mr Magnus Brunner, the European Union Commissioner for border protection, who accepted our arguments pertaining to this issue

- he stated.

Joint approach to border security

The Minister of the Interior and Administration also spoke about the fact that Poland and Lithuania are struggling with irregular migration and the hybrid warfare perpetrated by Lukashenko's regime. 

Poland has built a physical and electronic barrier along the Polish-Belarusian border at enormous cost. We have 11,000 people serving there, including soldiers. We have introduced various provisions to stem the flow of irregular migrants. who started heading north, trying to get to Poland via Lithuania and Latvia and then move further west. We are reinstating these checks on the Polish-Lithuanian border in order to fight this practice and to combat human trafficking

- he pointed out. 

Minister Tomasz Siemoniak also thanked the Border Guard for the quick preparation for the reinstated border checks. 

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovič spoke of good cooperation with the Polish side. He also informed that Lithuania has no plans to reintroduce border controls. 

We do not plan any joint border patrols with Poland, each side has its own tasks and will carry them out. Nevertheless, our forces - not just the border guards but also the police, will work closely together

- he pointed out.

He added that the partnership of Poland and Lithuania was effective. 

Reinstated border checks along Polish borders

The border checks on the Polish-German and Polish-Lithuanian borders will be temporarily reinstated from 7 July. The decision is dictated by concern for the safety of citizens and the need for better oversight of who crosses the Polish borders. 

Security is our top priority. The Border Guard, Police, Territorial Defence Forces and Military Police will work to make the checks smooth and as unobtrusive as possible.

The decision to temporarily reinstate border checks was preceded by careful analysis and preparation. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the authorities and voivodes planned all the activities together. This ensures that the services are on full alert and also have access to the right equipment and personnel.