The goal of completing the eastern border by the end of 2025 has been achieved, with the border fence constructed as initially planned. Given the changed security environment, the requirements for the eastern border have increased, and additional work to develop a modern border will continue over the next two years.
By the end of last year, approximately 110 kilometres of the land border had been completed. Several border sections that had previously been subject to land exchanges were closed, dozens of kilometres of new surveillance technology were installed, our border crossing points were reinforced and are now ready for rapid closure if the need arises. The Narva command centre was completed, and new surveillance masts were built to meet future drone surveillance and monitoring needs. Last year, border construction works were carried out on an area of approximately 47 kilometres while in previous years, work related to the construction of border infrastructure has been carried out on approximately 63 kilometres.
According to Veiko Kommusaar, Head of Border Guard at the Police and Border Guard Board, the border was completed in the planned scope by 2025. However, due to the current security situation and increased needs, work on building a modern border will continue over the next two years. “Our goal is to continue the planned activities to fully develop the eastern border. The aim is to complete the ongoing works related to land border infrastructure and technical surveillance capabilities, including in areas where, in previous years, border infrastructure construction had been postponed as a part of cost-cutting measures,” Kommusaar explained.
This year, he said, the Luhamaa command centre will be completed, and construction of infrastructure along the Narva River border will continue. “In addition to the five newly established surveillance positions, nine more are currently under construction, complete with associated infrastructure, which will also partially support drone surveillance,” he said, outlining the upcoming activities.
Even for the last 15 kilometres of the land section, which was not included in the 2025 work plan and is currently unfunded, we plan to work with the Ministry of the Interior to submit the missing requirements to the Government of the Republic to secure financing. Similarly, we plan to apply for funding from European Union funds for surveillance technology. Estonia deserves a comprehensive and modern border infrastructure, and it is our aim to complete its construction,” the Head of the Border Guard emphasised.
According to Kommusaar, it is important for a modern border to have a fully functioning chain. “When the border is fully operational, there will be surveillance systems in place that help to detect as early as possible anyone attempting to cross the border illegally. The border fence designed to hold individuals with bad intentions for as long as possible. What happens at the border will reach modern command centres where border guards have an overview of the entire border area, and from there, the closest border patrols will be sent to respond to the incident. And finally, it is extremely important that border guards, whether they are patrolling by SUVs, ATVs or on foot, arrive at the scene as quickly as possible,” he added.
The Police and Border Guard Board aims to finish all construction work along the entire eastern border by the end of 2027.
The existing surveillance and monitoring equipment at the border has been purchased and is maintained with co-funding from the European Union.
Ragne Keisk
Spokesperson for the Police and Border Guard Board
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