Bilotaitė: Even more troops will be mobilized on the border with Belarus

“Concrete actions and plans were presented to VGT today. The main emphasis is on improved border security, currently the maximum number of SBGS officers is concentrated on our border, and all other forces in the internal affairs system are involved. Today, we specifically discuss additional military capabilities.

Although the soldiers have been stepping up border protection since Saturday, we have agreed that our border protection will be reinforced by even greater forces from our national defense, ”said Minister A. Bilotaitė.

He said he couldn’t name specific numbers because it was too sensitive information.

“Decisions have been made to build a physical wall that would look like this: a 2-meter fence, and then a concert hall would be placed,” the interior minister said.

Interior Minister A. Bilotaitė affirmed that illegal immigrants are already appearing who agree to return to their country of origin voluntarily.

The interior minister told a news conference on Monday that he was aware of all the risks involved.

“Regarding the places where illegal immigrants will be accommodated, we will build on the good practices that other countries have. By organizing the implementation according to certain sectors and groups, we understand the risks of riots, there are also coronaviruses and other things. , so they will be taken into account ”, explained Interior Minister A. Bilotaitė.

The minister stated after the VGT meeting that when illegal immigrants apply for asylum, the procedures that must be followed begin.

“Those measures like a physical barrier, a barbed wire, an even greater number of officers and troops, we are already seeing a slight tendency for this to work. If it becomes even stronger, I believe that we will get a better result and that this will help us to manage illegal migratory flows. But when it comes to paperwork, when those people go to the Republic of Lithuania and apply for asylum, yes, the mechanism is activated and we have to carry out all the paperwork, ”said the Interior Minister.

He also announced that all roads to Poland are under strict control.

National Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas stated that the Lithuanian Armed Forces were ready to provide further assistance.

“When the Ministry of the Interior requested assistance from the Ministry of the Interior, that assistance is provided. Logistical support was provided: tent camp, hangars, installation of fences for concerts. And national defense volunteers at 8 border barriers. But given the need, the Lithuanian Armed Forces are ready to provide significantly more support, and that will be done. In the coming weeks, that support will increase steadily, “said the minister.

A. Anušauskas stressed that support must be used effectively.

The minister urged not to forget the Zapad military exercise to be held in Lithuania.

Prepared a resolution

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the Seimas Defense and National Security Committee (NSGC), announced after the VGT meeting that a resolution had been registered in the Seimas, which states that the Seimas considers the actions against Lithuania as a hybrid aggression.

“In addition to the measures already mentioned, we will urge the Government to build the fence as soon as possible, the processes have begun. We also emphasize that organizers of illegal migratory flows must be prosecuted, ”said Seimas member L. Kasčiūnas.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the Seimas Defense and National Security Committee (NSGC), announced after the VGT meeting that a resolution had been registered in the Seimas, which states that the Seimas considers the actions against Lithuania as a hybrid aggression.

“What does this mean in practice? That the traditional dichotomy between a political refugee and an economic migrant is not necessarily applicable to this situation, which is in Lithuania. Because they are actions organized by another neighboring regime. Naturally, this should be seen. Furthermore of the measures already mentioned – we will urge the Government to build a strong defensive barrier as soon as possible – a fence, the processes have started, we are happy about that. We also emphasize that the organizers of illegal migratory flows must be prosecuted “, said Seimas member L. Kasčiūnas.

“If such aggression is intense, other means of detention can be used. Here we suggest thinking of some more flexible measures,” said the parliamentarian.

Seimas member L. Kasčiūnas stated that the countries of origin of illegal refugees should be aware that Lithuania does not provide “greenhouse conditions”.

“Those countries need to know,” he said.

L. Kasčiūnas also stated that if the aggression does not stop, two more actions are planned at the theoretical level.

First, to enter into consultations with NATO members, in particular the United States, in accordance with Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which establishes that “The Parties shall consult each other if they consider that territorial integrity, political independence or the safety of either Party is threatened.

Also call on EU member states, the European Commission and other institutions to show solidarity and provide Lithuania with the necessary support in the fight against hybrid aggression, including in accordance with Article 222 of the EU Treaty. the solidarity clause, which states that “in the event of a terrorist attack, natural catastrophe or man-made catastrophe in a Member State, the Union and the Member States shall act jointly and in solidarity”.

Faced with huge flows of illegal immigrants

The chairman of the Seimas Defense and National Security Committee, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Commander of the State Border Guard Service and the Head of the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities were invited to the meeting.

The State Defense Council includes the President: the Commander-in-Chief of the State Armed Forces, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Seimas, the Minister of National Defense and the Commander of the Armed Forces.
The State Defense Council is headed by the president.

In recent months, Lithuania has faced a nearly twenty-fold increase in the flow of illegal immigrants across the Belarusian border. Lithuanian officials say it is a hybrid attack organized by the Belarusian regime against Lithuania.