European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for EU member states to approve new sanctions against Belarus for its role in the current migration crisis on Poland’s eastern border.
In a statement issued late Monday, von der Leyen called on Belarus to „stop putting people’s lives at risk,” adding that „the instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes…is unacceptable.”
In addition to sanctions, von der Leyen also mentioned the potential to blacklist „third country airlines that are active in human trafficking” and plans to visit „the main countries of origin and transit to ensure that they act to prevent their own nationals from falling into the trap set by the Belarusian authorities.”
In an effort to address migrants already at the border, von der Leyen promised to „explore with the UN and its specialized agencies how to prevent a humanitarian crisis from unfolding and ensure that migrants can be safely returned to their country of origin, with the support of their national authorities.”
The European Union has accused Belarus of encouraging thousands of migrants and asylum seekers to cross into EU countries via Belarus. Officials have called the unfolding migrant crisis a form of „hybrid warfare” in revenge for Western sanctions on Minsk over human rights abuses.
Source: Radio Poland
Poland on Tuesday closed a border crossing at Kuźnica after Belarusian authorities repeatedly ignored requests to stop migrants and asylum seekers from attempting to enter Poland.
The suspension of border traffic came into force at 7:00 on Tuesday morning, with travelers asked to use the crossings in Terespol and Bobrowniki. Border Guard officials informed reporters a day earlier all road traffic in both directions would be suspended until further notice, while rail connections would continue to operate.
On Monday, the United States voiced concern over „disturbing images and reports” from the Polish-Belarusian border, going on to condemn Belarus for „orchestrating” the flow of migrants and asylum seekers into Europe.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the use of migrants by Belarus as „a hybrid tactic” after discussing the border standoff with Polish President Andrzej Duda yesterday.
A number of EU countries have recently expressed solidarity with Poland, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Greece, and France.
Source: Radio Poland
The Kordegarda Gallery in Warsaw on Tuesday unveiled a rare replica of the Nazi German Enigma cipher machine made by the Polish intelligence service before World War II.
According to experts, the replica is the only surviving item of its kind ever made available to the public and researchers.
Curators from the National Center for Culture in Warsaw describe cracking the code of the German „Enigma” encryption machine as „one of the greatest achievements of Polish cryptologists and the Polish intelligence services,” a feat „which contributed to the defeat of Germany during World War II.”
The Enigma: Mystery Solved exhibition also features a short documentary film and the premieres of two related podcasts and a film on YouTube; the exhibition runs from now until November 28.
More information of the exhibition is available at https://kordegarda.org/pl/exhibition/140287.
Source: Radio Poland, kordegarda.org
After being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gdańsk will once again host Independence Day festivities tomorrow in a modified format.
Instead of the traditional parade, residents of Gdańsk will be able to participate in a series of smaller events tomorrow, including a city game, guided tours, special offers by the Museum of Gdańsk, and small concerts throughout the Gdańsk city center.
Festivities will commence at 10:00 at Góra Gradowa, where a ceremonial flag will be raised, accompanied by a concert of the mobile carillon „Gdańsk” and trumpeters. A mass will be held at 12:00 at St. Mary’s Basilica, accompanied by members of the choir Cappella Gedanensis. Also at 12:00 at Dwór Artusa, the national flag will be raised and the traditional Polish anthem will be sung.
For a full schedule of events or to register for the city game, visit https://radiogdansk.pl/wiadomosci/item/134645-szereg-mniejszych-wydarzen-zamiast-przemarszu-ulicami-gdanska-parada-niepodleglosci-wraca-w-zmienionej-formule
Source: Radio Gdańsk, gdansk.pl
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will peak around a high of 9°C, or 48°F, dropping to a chilly overnight low of 4°C or 40°F. The weather will remain cool and cloudy throughout the week, with a chance for clearer skies and additional sunshine early next week.
Elizabeth Peck/MarWer
