Stronger together: Lithuania and Poland join forces to secure their shared border

Finding common ground

The idea for the Lithuanian-Polish project The strengthening of security at the territory of the Lithuanian-Polish border first emerged in 2019.

As Col. Žydrūnas Karčiauskas, Head of the Assets Management Board at the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, explains: 'At the beginning, each institution had its own way of looking at the project. We realised that the key was to build a common understanding.'

That common ground was found through joint meetings, exchanges of officers and training sessions. Step by step, the project moved from an idea on paper to a set of practical actions at the border.

One of the most visible results of this project is joint patrols. Today, Lithuanian and Polish officers share the same patrol cars, checking vehicles and travelers together. The simple change makes a big difference: fewer duplicated checks, quicker border crossings and stronger trust between the officers. The first real test came during COVID-19, when internal borders closed and checks returned overnight. Joint patrols showed their value immediately.

'Working side by side, officers learned how their colleagues approach a vehicle, check documents, or react in tricky situations. This was the best way to understand and trust each other,' says Col. Karčiauskas.

Training and preparedness

Beyond patrols, the project invests heavily in training. Officers are learning how to profile vehicles and travelers so that traffic flows smoothly while suspicious cases are stopped. Crisis management is another key part. In the sensitive Suwalki corridor, scenarios are modelled to prepare for everything from ecological disasters to war-related risks. Training is also a two-way street. Lithuanian officers who take part in sessions in Poland bring back knowledge and share it with their colleagues, and vice versa, raising the overall standard.

For Col. Karčiauskas, security is not only about officers and technology, it is also about trust. 'Local people need to know who they can turn to in any situation,' he explains.

That is why the project includes open days at frontier stations, community meetings and direct contacts with residents. Citizens are encouraged to approach officers, share concerns and know that they will be listened to. The message is clear: security works best when the community is part of it.

Improving infrastructure for the future

The project also invests in infrastructure. Until recently, daily activities at some frontier stations were scattered across several buildings: one for briefings, another for vehicle checks and no proper facilities for helicopters or service vehicles. Now reconstruction is underway to create a single, modern facility. It will include briefing rooms, garages, showers, spaces for detained persons, disabled access and a helicopter landing site. At the launch of construction, a symbolic capsule was placed in the foundations, a sign that the project is not just about today but about preparing for the future.

Not everything has been simple. Procurement rules differ between Lithuania and Poland, and ecological requirements sometimes complicate joint purchases. But as Col. Karčiauskas points out, these challenges have been managed by planning ahead and keeping communication open.

'Both countries’ working groups are focused on the goals. Whenever problems arise, we find ways around them. The important thing is that we are working together.' The long-term benefits are already becoming visible. Border checks are becoming smoother, officers are better prepared for crises and communities are building stronger ties with the people who protect them. Ultimately, the project aims for safer borders and quicker crossings with checks reserved for special cases, based on solid profiling. At the same time, it is strengthening the most important resource of all: trust.

By joining forces, Lithuania and Poland are proving that stronger partnerships create stronger borders and stronger communities.