Germany’s border security has historically played a strategic role in the heart of Europe. In particular, the country’s borders with Poland and the Czech Republic have often been a source of political controversy. Today, Germany’s strategy to protect its borders with Poland and the Czech Republic is the result of a process shaped by historical events of the past and integrated into a modern understanding of security.
The Treaty of Versailles signed after World War I severely affected Germany’s borders, leading to the need to prioritize national security. With the end of World War II, Germany’s borders were redefined, leading to significant changes between Poland and Czechoslovakia. This process further strengthened Germany’s need to protect its borders.
Devletlerin son dOne of the methods that states have recently used to ensure border security is to control crossings. In Germany, human smuggling and trafficking have become a “national problem” because of these border crossings. In response, Germany announced on Wednesday that it would increase police patrols along “smuggling routes” along its border with Poland and the Czech Republic to prevent more migrants from entering the country. [1]
It can be said that Germany’s decision was influenced by the discovery of more than a hundred Syrian citizens in a police raid during a smuggling operation. Although German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser did not elaborate on how the borders will be shaped, she emphasized that there will be no border control like the one in place at the Austrian border since 2015. Faeser made the following statements:[2]
“Together, we want to smash the cruel business of smuggling gangs that make maximum profit from the plight of people and smuggle them across borders in a life-threatening way. That is why we have now agreed to step up joint patrols by the police forces there with our federal police on Czech and Polish territory as well.”
According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the number of immigrants to Germany in 2022 is higher than in any other year. Around 2.67 million people entered the country in 2022. This number includes 1.1 million Ukrainian refugees.[3] In response, police in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland will work together to prevent illegal migration on each other’s territory and to detect smuggling routes.
“If we fail to better protect the external borders, then the open borders within the EU are in danger”, Faeser said. According to Faeser, Germany’s decision is a consequence of the activities on the Balkan migration route.[4] The free movement provided by the Schengen Agreement brings a shared responsibility for border security in these countries. Germany continues its strategy of effectively protecting its borders using modern security technologies and intelligence sharing.
The Polish and Czech borders are a reflection of changing political and cultural dynamics throughout history. Today, however, Germany’s security efforts along these borders are not only viewed from a historical perspective, but also from the perspective of the common security of modern Europe. As part of the EU, Germany’s engagement in these regions is part of a broader strategy to strengthen regional stability and cooperation.
[1] “Germany Steps Up Border Controls With Poland And Czech Republic”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/27/germany-steps-up-border-controls-with-poland-and-czech-republic (Erişim Tarihi: 05.10.2023).
[2] “Germany Considering Short-Term Migration Border Controls with Poland and The Czech Republic”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/germany-migration-border-checks-poland-czech-republic-f730e5f1af3e0c20a817afbf901066ed, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.10.2023).
[3] Laura Hülsemann, “Germany, Poland, Czech Republic Start Task Force On Illegal Immigration”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-faeser-task-force-border-poland-czech-republic-illegal-immigration-election-hesse/, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.10.2023).
[4] Same place.
