A joint approach of the European Union (EU) to border protection is necessary, allocating the necessary resources to it, the parliamentarians of the Baltic states express after visiting the Finnish-Russian border.
Deputies of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden visited the border crossing point in Vartius, on the Finnish-Russian border, which is the easternmost border crossing point in the EU, the LETA agency was informed by the Press Service of the Saeima.
The EU’s eastern border is a shared responsibility that requires increased awareness, a tighter focus, as well as better and closer cooperation between all the democratic countries of the Baltic Sea region, as well as other EU countries, says Jānis Vucāns (ZZS), head of the delegation of the Baltic Assembly. The politician says that this is especially relevant, taking into account Russia’s aggression and growing security threats. A joint approach to the coordination of border protection is urgently needed, emphasizes Vucāns.
Together with Vucanas, MP Andris Kulbergs (AS) is also visiting Finland, whose working group of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on Energy Supply Security, Self-sufficiency, Resilience and Connectivity previously deliberated together with Finnish security experts on the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, especially in the energy sector.
Parliamentarians from the Baltic States, while visiting the border, emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach to security, preparedness, cooperation and prevention of hybrid threats at local, national and regional levels in the Baltic Sea region.
We believe that governments should prioritize the development of a coordinated strategy to more effectively defend our common border, society and their infrastructure, says Vucāns. The EU should consider border security in the east and allocate the necessary resources to strengthen cooperation and readiness in the Baltic Sea region, says the politician.
Vucāns points out that the Finnish Border Guard visibly demonstrates a proactive approach to protecting the country’s borders, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in combating international challenges. The MPs also got an insight into the role of the Kainu military brigade in preparing to train personnel to form units for the defense of the northern parts of Finland.
Tags: parliamentarians Baltic states resources implement common approach border protection
