Latvia postpones decision on closing Belarus border crossing amid migrant crisis

Latvia's government has deferred a decision on shutting down the Paternieki border crossing with Belarus, a key point amidst an ongoing migrant crisis. While the closure is one potential solution, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs emphasized that state security remains the paramount concern. "The most important thing is security," Kulbergs stated, indicating that economic arguments are secondary to national safety.

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The most important thing is security.

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava confirmed closer cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces (NBS) to prevent illegal border crossings. "We are also considering various other options to reduce this number of illegal migrants to zero," Dombrava said. He explained that the closure of Paternieki is one of several possible measures, and the government has listened to opinions from various institutions before making a final decision.

Kulbergs added that the government must evaluate which measures are most effective, acknowledging that achieving "a complete zero is never possible." The focus will be on implementing technical solutions, with a plan to be presented in August involving the National Armed Forces. "Furthermore, the defense minister announced that exercises will be held, and our allies' forces will be more heavily deployed closer to the border. These exercises will also be used to strengthen border security," the prime minister highlighted.

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We are also considering various other options to reduce this number of illegal migrants to zero.

Dombrava also noted that technical issues at the Paternieki crossing, which began last Friday, are ongoing but efforts are being made to resolve them. The problems are reportedly related to mobile network coverage. The Interior Ministry had previously proposed suspending the crossing's operations, which would effectively close the only vehicle border point between Latvia and Belarus.

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Furthermore, the defense minister announced that exercises will be held, and our allies' forces will be more heavily deployed closer to the border. These exercises will also be used to strengthen border security.