Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, teamed up with Polish authorities, led by the Polish Ministry of the Interior, to test and improve Poland's contingency plans for guarding its external borders.
Frontex regularly organises such simulation exercises across EU Member States to assess and enhance the readiness of border management systems. By doing so, we ensure high and consistent levels of security at Europe’s borders. If any issues are identified, Member States can address these vulnerabilities, often with support from Frontex.
Given Poland's challenges at its eastern borders in recent years, the need for robust contingency plans has never been more apparent. Last week’s exercise, meticulously prepared, involved various Polish agencies, including the Border Guards, Army, Fire Fighting Service, Police, Office for Foreigners, Agency for Internal Security, and the Government Centre for Security. Together, they tackled a complex scenario involving multiple challenges at different border sections.
This exercise provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation and mutual trust between Frontex and Polish authorities. Such collaboration is vital in the event of a significant influx of migrants, including situations where migration is used as a tool by countries outside the EU.