During her summer tour focusing on security, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser visited the Federal Police Station in Görlitz, where the Federal Police cooperate with police officers from Poland and the local state of Saxony to secure the German-Polish border. She gained a first-hand impression of cooperation with the Polish Border Guard and the Saxon state police. In addition, she learned more about the impact of border checks on commuters.

Temporary border checks at the German-Polish border

Temporarily reintroduced border control at internal Schengen borders, including the German-Polish land border, is currently necessary and checks are due to be carried out until 15 December 2024. The goal is to return to internal Schengen borders free of border control as soon as security and migration policy allow. Minister Faeser said, “We will continue temporary border checks as long as necessary to stop human smugglers and reduce irregular migration.” She added, “Today in Görlitz, I witnessed the excellent work done by the Federal Police.”

Swiftly implementing the Common European Asylum System

Implementing the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as quickly as possible is key to returning to an open Schengen area. This requires that reliable checks occur at the EU’s external borders. At the same time, clear and legally certain processes which safeguard human rights must be ensured without compromising the fundamental right of asylum or the individual examination of asylum applications. The EU has therefore decided that some asylum seekers’ cases will be decided at the EU’s external borders. Beyond this, a binding solidarity mechanism has been agreed which also encompasses the distribution of persons seeking protection.