The State Border Guard and other services are closely following the news from the Polish-Belarusian border and developments in Belarus. On November 8, a regular meeting was held between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the responsible services, we are also contacting colleagues in Lithuania and Poland.
The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border has significantly worsened in recent weeks. Polish border guards see a record number of people trying to cross the border illegally almost every day. There have been collision between the Polish and Belorussian border guards. Although Latvia has a significantly lower number of illegal border crossers, the situation may change. We have developed action plans also for these changing scenarios.
Cooperation between the State Border Guard, the National Armed Forces and other services to ensure border protection continues. If necessary, a decision will be taken immediately to step up the border controls.
At present, more than half of the temporary barbed wire fence has been installed on the Latvian-Belarusian border, and the works are planned to be completed in November. The Cabinet of Ministers has also supported and submitted to the Parliament the “Law on the Construction of the External Land Border”, which has been developed to ensure the rapid and efficient construction of the infrastructure necessary for the protection of the external land border.
Prepared by:
Linda Curika
Advisor to the Minister of the Interior in the matters of strategic communication