The attack on Europe is underway. Europe's borders are not secure. The security of our continent's population is at risk. The Russian invasion of Ukraine showed what hybrid warfare is, what a threat it is to all of us. Belarus is also part of Russia's plan to attack Europe. They use a variety of methods to do this, including hybrid ones, organized groups of illegal immigrants. The Russian and Belarusian attacks are a reminder that the borders between countries are not just artificial lines drawn on a map.

Poland has shown that it is possible to effectively defend its borders against strong migration pressure. The borders mark the real difference between Europe, as a continent of freedom and security, and the areas where it is not uncommon to have chaos, anarchy and sometimes tyranny. We don't want this chaos, this anarchy, in Poland, and we don't want it in Europe. Europe is a civilization that rejects war, that rejects terrorism, murder and rape. That rejects all violence. If someone does not accept this, there is no place for them in Europe. Not everyone understands this, nor does everyone realize the scale of that threat. Some leaders are turning a blind eye to the threat that is emerging at the borders and on the streets of Europe. 

Poland makes it clear: opening up borders, failing to protect them effectively, putting Europeans at risk - this is a strategic mistake that threatens the survival of the European Union. Our people, our citizens, will pay for this mistake, the Europeans will pay for it. For centuries, Poland has defended Europe against various invasions. Today, we are again a frontline country, a country that understands well the threats that Europe is facing. We have successfully defended Europe from the first waves of illegal immigrants. Today, once again, Poland must be the voice of reason for all of Europe. Therefore, at the European Council meeting, I will suggest a specific plan, a plan of secure borders. The plan is clear - “no” to the forced relocation of migrants, “no” to the violation of the right of veto by individual states and “no” to the violation of the principle of freedom, the principles of decision-making by the states on their own, “no” to the penalties imposed by Brussels on member states. And “yes” to security, yes to sovereignty and yes to the best-protected borders in Europe.

Europe is not only a continent located between the Atlantic and the Urals, but above all Europe is a way of life. Anyone can become a European regardless of origin or skin color, provided, however, that they respect European values, that they reject violence and respect our civilization. Member states cannot be deprived of the ability to protect their citizens. People coming from outside Europe were finding a new home here for centuries, because they were accepting the rules that had been in place for centuries. Unfortunately, some politicians in Brussels today want to build a post-national continent, without roots in tradition. This concept is eagerly supported on the one hand by left-wing and liberal circles and their ideologues, and on the other hand it is supported by powerful countries hostile to us, by forces hostile to us in various regions of the world.  This concept is inherently anti-European. 

The blood of the people of Europe is already being shed as a result of lack of responsible policies. What is worse, the green light for uncontrolled migration has nothing to do with protecting human rights. On the contrary, it just serves to violate human rights, increases suffering, contributes to the growth of crime in Europe and indirectly supports criminal groups operating on Europe's borders - smuggling groups. Any signal that the Union will accept a certain number of migrants encourages smugglers to send more. If we accept 30 [thousand] - 300 thousand will come. If, as Europe, we accept 1 million - another 20 million will come. It's a spiral with no end. To open Europe's borders is to open a black market where smugglers, human traffickers, and gangs of all kinds get rich. It's also an increased risk of terrorism across Europe. We see this in many Western European countries in the suburbs of great cities. These are specific threats, described in the latest Frontex report. More uncontrolled migration means more terrorist groups across Europe.

What is true European solidarity? Poland has taken in more than 3 million refugees from Ukraine. There are about one and a half million of these refugees in Poland right now. We have opened our homes. No one has forced us to do it. Poles have shown that they are a great, open nation. There should be no first- and second-class citizens within the European Union, just as there should be no first- and second-class countries. Supporting a citizen from Ukraine with several dozen euros, while threatening to impose penalties of more than 20,000 euros for not accepting an immigrant from the Middle East or Africa, is blatant discrimination, not to use a much stronger word.

Many EU countries are struggling and will have to struggle in the future with the infamous legacy of colonialism. Poles will not repent for the sins of colonialism of former empires. It was not the Polish government that contributed to destabilization in the Middle East or Africa. It was not the Poles who enriched themselves with resources from colonies.

Europe is its peoples - a multiplicity of languages and a multiplicity of cultures. Europe does not form a federation or a centrally administered quasi-state. Instead, it is a community of equal and sovereign states. Meanwhile, some of the most powerful countries in the EU  want to impose their will on others. We will not agree to this. We have a better alternative. We have a plan for secure borders. 

First, we must jointly invest to effectively guard any and all the external borders of the EU. More money is needed for this from the European Union, from the budget. 

Second, Frontex should be reformed so that it effectively fights people smugglers.

Third, the Commission should alter the budget, so that there are more funds for the development of countries that border the European Union. Let's fight effectively against the causes, not the effects of the phenomena we face today.

Fourth, restriction of social security benefits for non-EU citizens.

And fifth,  no more tolerating the cooperation of NGOs with people smugglers. The Union, with the help of Europol and Interpol, must take up an effective fight against gangs and smugglers - simply put: human traffickers.

In Poland, we are proposing a referendum on this issue - this is the fairest way for Poles to have their say - to say what they want. Let those who are primarily affected - women, children, people who are at risk of being attacked through increased illegal migration on Polish streets should there be an increased, European Union-enforced influx of refugees - also speak out. Europe has become the best place to live, friendly, not only because we have freedom, we have prosperity, but also because we can defend them. Let's give voice to the people and encourage other European countries to do so as well.

I will present this plan in a few hours at the European Council. It is a plan for secure borders. On behalf of the millions of Polish citizens whose interests are represented by the Law and Justice government, we will veto the forced relocation mechanism. A Europe of secure borders is also a Europe without forced relocation. This relocation is being brought in through the back door, against the Treaties, under threat of financial penalties. 

The Law and Justice government will certainly not agree to any experiments, to any extortion regarding the admission of illegal immigrants. As prime minister, I will not agree to violation of our rights and of our sovereignty. The so-called Migration Pact is not a pact at all. This is a demand for capitulation on the part of member states, and there is no agreement to it on our part. Every country has the right to be its own host. The same principle applies to our entire continent. Europe has a sacred right to be its own host, and it is high time for all of Europe to realize this.