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Norway may close checkpoint on border with Russia — PM

According to TV2, there have been no reports that the number of border crossings via this checkpoint is on the rise

Storskog checkpoint Clemensfranz/CC BY 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Storskog checkpoint

© Clemensfranz/CC BY 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

STOCKHOLM, November 22. /TASS/. Norway is ready to follow Finland’s lead and close its checkpoint on the border with Russia, TV2 reported citing Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

When asked if Norway should close the Storskog checkpoint, he said, "If it is necessary." He stressed that Norway is keeping a close eye on the situation both in Finland and in Estonia.

According to the television channel, there have been no reports that the number of border crossings via this checkpoint is on the rise.

On November 22, the Finnish government made a decision to close three checkpoints on the border with Russia with the exception of the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing point. Thus, the Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius border checkpoints will be shut down on Friday, November 24, 2023 at midnight local time (10 p.m. GMT - TASS). On the night of November 18, Finland closed four border posts on its eastern border: Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala. According to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the authorities are reacting to the influx of "third-country nationals" to the eastern border of Finland, which has recently increased. As Interior Minister Mari Rantanen explained, the decision is valid until February 18, 2024.

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