Latvia’s government puts off closing Pāternieki border point, plans allied exercises near border

The government has not endorsed an Interior Ministry proposal to suspend the Pāternieki border crossing point on the Latvia-Belarus border. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava told reporters this after today’s cabinet meeting.

Kulbergs said August would see significant preventive steps by the interior and defence sectors to limit the flow of irregular migrants across the border, which also serves as the EU’s external border. The prime minister stressed that the government is examining all available options to deal with illegal migration. He noted that closing Pāternieki is one possibility, but that the government is not confirming it at present because the migratory pressure is not concentrated at that checkpoint but elsewhere.

Dombrava confirmed that an agreement has been reached on even closer cooperation with the Defence Ministry and the National Armed Forces to prevent attempts to bring border violators into Latvia. He said various other options are being assessed to reduce the number of irregular migrants. When asked why the cabinet had not decided on his proposal, the minister described the suspension as one of several possible measures and said it was good that the opinions of various institutions had been heard. He added that the option has not been taken off the table; similar decisions in other countries had been made when problems at border checkpoints escalated, meaning a rapid decision was possible.

The prime minister added that it is necessary to assess which method best achieves the goal, although “we will never reach zero.” He said efforts should focus on technical means, and in August information would be provided on planned activities involving the National Armed Forces. The defence minister has announced exercises and a stronger allied presence closer to the border, using the drills to reinforce border security.

Dombrava noted that technical problems at Pāternieki, related to mobile network coverage, have continued since last Friday, but efforts would be made to resolve them by the end of the day.

Earlier reports said the Interior Ministry had proposed suspending the checkpoint, which would effectively close the only road border crossing on the Latvia-Belarus line. The ministry argued the move was needed to strengthen state security, reduce illegal migration pressure and make more efficient use of border guard resources amid prolonged migration pressure.

Since 31 July, border control at Pāternieki has been impossible because of information system failures. The State Border Guard has advised travellers to use the Medininkai or Šalčininkai crossing points on the Lithuania-Belarus border. Latvia’s enhanced border protection regime in the area remains in force until the end of the year.