Kulbergs: More on Latvia-Belarus border steps expected in August

After a meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the public could learn about further steps to reinforce Latvia's border and limit illegal migration as early as August. The talks also covered security issues, including ensuring safe elections and border control.

Kulbergs explained that the government is currently considering various options, from technical measures to allied involvement in the border area. He stressed that Latvia must be able to protect itself against provocations and maintain border control, also in the context of elections. The interior and defence services have agreed on targeted work against the “main elements” of illegal migration in order to prevent people from easily crossing Latvia's border and later reaching other destinations in Europe.

The prime minister said more information would be provided in August, and the media would be informed.

President Rinkēvičs told a press conference that he supports the Cabinet's actions to strengthen security, describing the decisions taken as steps in the right direction. He did not rule out other decisions if the situation on the border does not improve. He welcomed the cooperation between the interior and defence systems but noted that results would not be visible within a few days; consistent implementation of the planned steps would improve the situation on the Latvia–Belarus border.

As previously reported, the government on Tuesday did not decide on the Interior Ministry's proposal to suspend operations at the Pāternieki border crossing point on the Latvia–Belarus border. The ministry is headed by Jānis Dombrava (NA). Pāternieki is the only road border crossing point on that border.

Kulbergs told journalists that significant preventive actions in the interior and defence sectors would be carried out in August to restrict the flow of illegal migrants at the border, which is also the European Union's external border. Closing Pāternieki remains one option, but it is not being confirmed at the moment because the illegal migration flow is not at the specific crossing point but outside it. The prime minister emphasised that the primary consideration is security.

An enhanced border guard regime remains in force until the end of the year in Latvia's border area with Belarus, introduced in response to increased illegal migration pressure created by Belarus.