Germany, Poland and Czech Republic take joint action against smugglers

The police union sees Germany's joint action with Poland and the Czech Republic as the right step on the way to a European fight against smugglers. "We police officers hope that the joint European approach will bring noticeable success for the German border regions and relieve our tense work situation," GdP national head Jochen Kopelke told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. A European challenge needs a European solution, he added. "That is why the joint effort in the fight against illegal smuggling with our neighbors Poland and the Czech Republic is the right approach. Europol has a special importance here again."

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) had agreed with Poland and the Czech Republic on joint patrols on their territory. With a task force, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic want to take stronger action against irregular migration at their borders. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the plan is to take effective action against smugglers and to detect and prevent unauthorized entries. Previously, Faeser had announced increased flexible controls at the borders with the Czech Republic and Poland. Fixed border controls, which already exist at the border between Bavaria and Austria, she currently does not want to apply to the EU Commission beyond that. The Union demands this, however, also for the borders to Poland and the Czech Republic.

The police union supports Faeser's joint action with Poland and the Czech Republic, but also demands more resources and personnel. "In order to guarantee sustainable success, in particular also a financial and personnel strengthening of civilian police forces and criminal investigations is urgently needed," said the GdP federal chairman. The European police agency Europol and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, would have to be strengthened in their operational work.