Finnish Interior Minister Marie Rantanen said the country’s government’s decision to close half of the operating checkpoints on the Russian border due to the uncontrolled arrival of refugees from Syria, Iraq and Somalia was only partially successful. The newspaper reports this Helsingin Sanomat.
Rantanen noted that refugee activities have shifted from closed border crossings to other places. The Minister emphasized that he would not yet announce the details of the new restrictions being prepared. According to him, the main goal of the Finnish government is to stop the infiltration of refugees into the country and ensure the safety of Finnish citizens.
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Helsinki has requested additional assistance to the European Union External Border Security Agency (Frontex) to secure the border with the Russian Federation.
Previously reportedA rally was held in the Finnish border city of Lappeenranta against the closure of checkpoints on the Russian border. A similar rally was held in the city of Jyväskylä.
Previously Estonia introduced Vehicles with Russian license plates were banned from entering.