Be prepared that the situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border with illegal immigrants could change / Article

At present, the number of illegal immigrants crossing the Latvian-Belarusian border in Latvia is not large, but we must be prepared for this situation to change. This was stated by the Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva in the Latvian Television program “Morning Panorama” (“For Development / Par!”).

Currently, the pressure is right on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, where, compared to the previous period, there is a large number of illegal immigrants. In its turn, the Latvian border guard must be ready that “the situation could change hypothetically” on our border as well, the Minister pointed out.

Golubeva noted that the Border Guard has developed action plans for various scenarios, including the involvement of the army and the National Guard in the event of a deterioration of the situation.

“It simply came to our notice then. But at the moment we do not predict that something like this could happen on the Latvian border, “said the Minister.

The Minister has previously pointed out that Latvia is stepping up security at the Belarusian border, but the population should not worry, as this is just as a precaution.

CONTEXT:

Number of migrants wanting from Belarus illegal entry into Lithuania, is growing every week – the Latvian Border Guard has received such signals from colleagues in Lithuania. In the first half of the year, more than 800 migrants were detained on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, which is 10 times more than last year. In comparison, five have been detained on the Latvian-Belarusian border.

After Lithuania detained another 150 illegal migrants from Belarus at its border on 2 July, the Lithuanian government decided to declare a state of emergency in the countryto speed up decision-making on logistical, financial and other issues, including ensuring epidemiological security during a pandemic. Lithuanian officials say the situation is worrying enough.

Events on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border also call attention to the Latvian border guard. From Thursday, July 1, also on the Latvian border Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is up and runningresponding to a request for assistance. This is the first time that experts have been admitted to Latvia for border surveillance.

–