MINSK, 31 October (BelTA) – There is no official information about suspending the reopening of two border crossings with Belarus in November, Podlaskie Voivode Jacek Brzozowski stated on 31 October, Radio Bialystok reported.
“At present, in accordance with the prime minister’s instructions, we are preparing to reopen the border crossings,” Jacek Brzozowski said.
“As of today, there has been no information confirming or indicating that the prime minister is canceling this decision. We are working as usual. The administration, the National Revenue Administration and the Border Guard are all preparing to carry out the tasks assigned to us by the prime minister, and we will fully implement them once the decision is finalized,” he stated.
Krzysztof Truskolaski, head of the Podlaskie regional branch of the Civic Platform party, noted: “When announcing the readiness to reopen the border in Bialystok, the prime minister did not provide exact dates. However, we believe that the announced reopening of the border crossings in Podlaskie Voivodeship will take place.”
“The prime minister was already aware of the closure of the border between Lithuania and Belarus when he announced the decision in Bialystok. The decision has been made public. We all believe that these checkpoints will open as soon as possible,” he added.
Donald Tusk announced on 28 October that starting in November, drivers would once again be able to use the border crossings in Bobrowniki and Kuźnica on the border with Belarus. Tusk referred to their “trial opening”. According to him, these border crossings “can be useful for ordinary people on both sides of the border, and politics should not constantly and brutally interfere in the daily lives of the region's inhabitants”. Podlaskie Voivode Jacek Brzozowski said that after the official announcement of the date for opening the road border crossings with Belarus in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, the border services would be ready for it within 48 hours. According to Polish media, the news about the opening of the border crossings with Belarus was positively received by Poland's transport community; industry workers called it a “long-awaited signal of hope” and a “step towards a normal life”.
Meanwhile, according to the PAP agency, on 30 Octover Adam Szłapka, a representative of the Polish government announced that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė had agreed that Poland would open two checkpoints on the Belarusian border “around mid-November.” Inga Ruginienė stated the same day that Poland would postpone the reopening of the crossings. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budris said on 29 October that Lithuania is in negotiations with Poland regarding the border with Belarus, emphasizing the need for joint steps.
The Kuźnica border crossing was closed in November 2021, and the Bobrowniki checkpoint was closed in February 2023.
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