Poland Bows to EU, May Accept Syrian Migrants for Medical Care

(AP) — Poland’s foreign minister says the government is thinking of temporarily taking in Syrians who need medical treatment.

The statement Tuesday by Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski was a significant, albeit cautious, change from the conservative government’s refusal to take in any migrants from the Middle East and Africa due to security concerns.

Poland’s refusal to participate in a European Union program aimed at relocating some 140,000 migrants from Italy and Greece has drawn condemnation from EU leaders and warnings of sanctions.

Following a meeting of foreign ministers from central and eastern Europe on Tuesday, Waszczykowski said Poland is “at the early stage of thinking about so-called humanitarian corridors.”

The corridors would mean temporarily bringing in Syrians for treatment and convalescence.

The foreign minister distinguished them from resettlement programs and said the move was a form of humanitarian assistance.