Representatives of the Lithuanian and Polish border services have completed a two-year joint project “The strengthening of security at the territory of Lithuanian-Polish border”. During the closing conference a cooperation agreement was signed confirming the continuity of the activities that had been started.
The agreement provides for further joint work between the Lithuanian and Polish border services to strengthen border security, ranging from joint patrols and the exchange of information on illegal migration or threats to coordinated action in emergency situations, joint training, and constant communication between border representatives and contact officers from both countries.
Vladislav Kondratovič, the Minister of Interior of Lithuania emphasized that the value of the project lies not only in the new equipment and investments acquired during the project, but also in the strengthening of ties between people and institutions: “Projects come to an end, but cooperation must continue. Such initiatives are a cornerstone not only for the border security of our countries, but also for the security of Europe as a whole.”
The project measures implemented over two years have contributed significantly to strengthening cooperation between the Lithuanian and Polish border services. Training on operational planning and response to geopolitical threats at the border, in which 116 officers participated, were conducted and the institutional capacities were supplemented with a modern equipment: patrol cars, an Anafi USA drones, document verification devices, mobile scanners, and communication systems.
Neringa Kačinskienė, a member of the project administration working group, presented the results of the project and emphasized that special attention was paid to strengthening communication and mutual trust: “During the project, we sought not only to purchase new equipment and train officers to use it, but above all to strengthen people’s connections, trust, and ability to work together.”
Saulius Nekraševičius, Deputy Commander of the State Border Guard Service and project manager, emphasized the importance of the project, stating that in today’s reality, communication has become the main tool enabling a more effective response to threats: “The Suwałki Corridor, where we work, is a strategic artery connecting the Baltic countries with Western Europe. I am glad that we have formats that allow us to act in a synchronized manner and with mutual trust – this is the fruit of a long-term partnership.”
Colonel Marek Sochański, Deputy Commander of the Polish Border Guard, added that the results of the project are already changing the daily routine of the services: “Our cooperation has been enriched. We share information, patrol together, and most importantly, we learn from each other. Such projects strengthen our team and our border.”
The final conference of the project presented an analysis of communication in the Lithuanian-Polish border region and recommendations prepared by the consulting company Good to know. Živilė Navickaitė-Babkin, the company’s co-founder, noted that close cooperation between border services, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and the media creates a resilient and informed community in the border region. “This is the area that needs special attention in the near future,” she stated.
Orijana Mašalė, former Deputy Minister of State Defence and Aleksandra Ketlerienė, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the LRT.lt portal, emphasized not only the importance of maintaining constant contact with the media, but also the importance of leadership among officials. “The success of crisis management is very closely linked to leadership, because it is leaders who make decisions in crises and can either reassure the public or, conversely, cause anxiety in society,” noted O. Mašalė.
The conference included not only the presentation of the project results and discussions, but also practical activities – participants planned communication during crises, took part in simulations, sought solutions themselves, and developed crisis management plans, strengthening their ability to act in a coordinated manner in real situations.
About the project
The project was launched on February 1, 2024. It was implemented by the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior of Republic of Lithuania together with the Podlaskie Border Guard Regional Unit. The aim of the project is to strengthen institutional cooperation and the capacity of border services to respond to geopolitical threats.
The project budget is €999,911.12, 80 % of which was funded by the European Regional Development Fund.