Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said she expects Poland to revise its plans to reopen border crossings with Belarus.
“We have already exchanged messages with the Polish Prime Minister, and we will have a more detailed conversation. The Polish Prime Minister will certainly coordinate his actions with us, and that is very important,” she was quoted as saying by LRT.
On Wednesday, the Lithuanian government decided to close its border with Belarus until November 30. Only one border crossing will remain operational under restricted conditions. The day before that decision, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to reopen the Kuźnica and Bobrowniki checkpoints in November.
“No one expected us to take such measures or that a hybrid attack would be directed against Lithuania here and now. Therefore, each country had its own decisions, but after what has happened here in Lithuania, it seems that our neighbours’ plans will also be adjusted,” Ruginienė said.
She added that she plans to discuss border issues later today with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. Only one border crossing currently operates between Latvia and Belarus. Since early autumn, citizens of non-EU countries have been required to submit prior notification of their travel purpose and route before entering Latvia. In addition, starting November 1, Latvia will ban irregular passenger transport across its borders with Belarus and Russia.