During years 2021-2023, a rapid increase in the number of illegal crossings have been identified on the border of Republic of Latvia and Republic of Belorussia. Taking into consideration the current geopolitical situation, very important is the immediate prevention of foreign provocation and the reinforcement of global capabilities, such as checks and surveillance, the prevention and detection of cross-border crime at the external border with Belarus. Therefore, the construction of the technological solution necessary for the guarding of the foreign land border of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Belarus, is currently vital. It has also been evaluated and recognized by the European Union, granting Latvia financing for arranging automated border surveillance infrastructure within the framework of the Financial Support Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy for the planning period of 2021-2027.
The development of a technological solution is complex and complicated innovative solutions for the information and communication infrastructure, consisting of an infrastructure for optical fiber cable networks (including sewers of electronic communications networks), electricity supply network infrastructure, video surveillance post infrastructure, data transmission network infrastructure and perimeter surveillance technology (e.g. video surveillance)) infrastructure.
The ability to respond promptly to illegal activities and provocation on the border is a basic task of the State Border Guard and an important priority for Latvia. This is why the project aims to improve and strengthen the security of the border between Latvia and Belarus.
In accordance with the Law on the Construction of the External Border, the State Border Guard shall be responsible for the operational co-ordination of the work of the institutions involved in the construction and implementation of the technological infrastructure.
Within the framework of the operation of the project “Automated Border Surveillance Infrastructure” (VRS/RPVP/2023/3), the State Border Guard will acquire three constructed objects on the border of the Republic of Latvia – the Republic of Belarus approximately 96,5 km in length, which will fully ensure the continued guarding of the foreign land border of the Republic of Latvia – the Republic of Belarus at the relevant stages, minimize the threat to hostilities, as well as the ability to respond in real time to criminal offences related to the illegal crossing of the state border.
The project will increase control and response capacity in the border area, strengthen the overall capacity for prevention and detection of crime, and increase the safety and quality of life of local population. The project as a whole will contribute to the implementation of the EU Security Strategy and will protect fundamental rights and European values.
Project implementer - State Border Guard, managing authority - Ministry of Interior. Project co-operation partner - State stock company “Latvia State Radio and Television Center”. The project is co-financed by the European Union.
The total cost of the project is €58 222 782 (€43 667 087 European Union funding, €14 555 695 state budget funding).
