The Helsingin Sanomat newspaper writes that on Thursday the Finnish government intends to extend the restrictions on the eastern border for another month. The sources say there are no political or legal obstacles to extending the restrictions.
Finland decided in December to completely close its eastern border until January 14. The government will discuss extending the restrictions on Thursday. If the government does not make a new decision, the decision on border measures taken in December will expire at midnight on January 15.
Finland decided to close its entire eastern border at the end of November and then accused Russia of a migration attack. Meanwhile, Helsinki has opened two border crossings and migrants have tried to use the situation to their advantage. The government then decided that border crossings on the eastern border had to be closed again as Russia continued to send migrants to the border.
According to HS the government has not received any information that Russia has changed its activities towards the Finnish border.
The current restrictions are based on the Border Patrol Act. According to this law, the government can decide to close border crossings or restrict border crossings if the closure or restriction is necessary, for example, to counter a serious threat to public order or national security. The decision to extend the eastern border closure must be based on the current Border Guard Law, because the Government will not be able to finalize any other border-related legislation this week.
2024-01-10 12:23:00
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