STOCKHOLM, November 17. /TASS/. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, commonly known as Frontex, is ready to send its forces in Finland to the border with Russia, according to Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.
According to the report, Frontex wants to help tackle the problem created by the recent spike in the number of unlawful border crossings. Frontex has not yet chosen which contingent will go to Finland. The exact time of arrival is also unknown, according to the newspaper.
On November 16, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that Finland will shut down four border checkpoints on Friday. "Finland shuts down checkpoints on the eastern border. They will be closed on the night from Friday to Saturday," he said.
According to the government, it is necessary to "react decisively" to the growing number of third-country citizens coming to the eastern border recently, because this is an organized phenomenon, which poses a serious threat to the public order and national security. It was announced during the press conference that 280 migrants have asked for refuge this fall.
Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen specified that the checkpoints in question are located in Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala; the decision will remain in effect until February 18, 2024. According to the Finnish Border Guard, checkpoints in Vartius, Salla, Kuusamo and Raja-Jooseppi will remain open.
Russia will analyze the situation around Finland’s decision and the accusations made by Helsinki, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Evgeny Ivanov told TASS.