Estonia installs additional barriers on the border with Russia
Estonia installs additional barriers on the Russian border (Getty Images)
At the border crossing in Narva, Estonia, preparations for the possible closure of the border with the Russian Federation continued today, November 24. Additional barriers were installed on the bridge, reports ERR.
The first concrete pyramids appeared on the Narva bridge on the evening of November 16 after 19 citizens of Somalia and Syria arrived at the eastern border of Estonia, attempting to enter the country through the Narva border crossing without legal grounds.
On Thursday, November 23, the Ida-Viru Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Department announced that due to the escalation of the migration situation, the border point in Narva may be closed. In that case, it will be difficult to return to Estonia, so authorities do not recommend traveling to the Russian Federation.
"We are preparing to close the border crossing point. Last week, we installed barriers there, and in the coming days, we will further strengthen security at the Narva border crossings. We will close two lanes, which will not hinder the movement of vehicles for now. At the currently closed pedestrian border crossing point 'Narva-2,' we will reinforce barriers on the bridge to prevent its illegal use for crossing the border," the statement said.
Russia exerts migration pressure on Estonia
The Ida-Viru Prefecture added that they are closely monitoring the situation at the border because Russia is exerting migration pressure on Estonia and Finland by sending people to our border who do not have the right to enter the European Union.
In the past week, several large groups attempted to enter Estonia. The barriers will continue to be useful as of February 1, when the Ivangorod checkpoint will close for reconstruction.
"Two scenarios for using barriers: from February 1, when Ivangorod closes, and the second - in case of necessity," said the Police and Border Guard Department.
Background
Recently, Finland began blocking entry from the territory of the Russian Federation due to the influx of illegal migrants. The Finnish Border Guard banned entry to people traveling by bicycle through border checkpoints with Russia.
Finnish border guards had to use tear gas when migrants attempted to illegally enter camps from Russia.
From November 18, four checkpoints on the border between Finland and Russia were closed, and on November 22, the Finnish government decided to close almost all border crossings. Currently, only one checkpoint is operating in Lapland.
The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, also stated that Norway may follow Finland's example and close the only crossing point on the border with Russia
