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After meeting with the European Commissioner for the Interior, Ylva Johansson, who arrived in Lithuania on Sunday night, the minister said that Lithuania needs ten times more support than is currently provided after reviewing the forecasts of migratory flows.
“One of the necessary measures that we must take immediately is the installation of a physical barrier between Lithuania and Belarus. We are convinced that a comprehensive solution, including the installation of a physical fence, border surveillance with smart technologies and improved border control by part of the joint EU allied forces, would stop most illegal migrants and prevent the establishment of illegal migration through Lithuania, while preventing migrants from going to the West. “- A. Bilotaitė said in the meeting with the representative of the EC.
As reported by the Ministry of the Interior, the Minister highlighted the need for financial support for these measures.
According to preliminary estimates, the implementation of technical measures alone can untie up to 500 million. “, said the Minister.
He also stated that Lithuania needs more financial support from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
The European Commission has promised between 10 and 12 million. Euro support should reach Lithuania already this month. However, as indicated in the report of the Ministry of the Interior, taking into account the revised forecasts of migratory flows, the amount of support required to ensure the necessary measures to manage the migratory crisis is much higher: this year it may reach the 100 million. . 20 million euros in 2022. euros.
During the meeting, the Commissioner for the Interior of the European Commission Y. Johansson, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior, assured that he understood that Lithuania had faced the actions of the hybrid war and that the decisions must be decisive and effective.
The European Commissioner recognized that Lithuania’s decision to install a physical barrier between Lithuania and Belarus to protect the EU’s external border is necessary. The Interior Ministry report notes that the Commissioner promised to seek opportunities to provide Lithuania with even greater financial support for the implementation of border protection measures and the management of the migration crisis.
“We understand that you are facing a completely new and unknown phenomenon, you are experiencing hybrid aggression, but I must say that the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior and the entire Government have taken effective, decisive and timely measures, both in response to the influx of illegal immigrants. and foreign partners. We are united and in solidarity with you and together we will overcome this challenge, “Y. Johansson is quoted in the Interior Ministry report.
The European Commissioner for the Interior also assured that the EU also constantly seeks solutions in negotiations with the migrants’ countries of origin to return them as soon as possible.
Since the beginning of the illegal immigration crisis, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) has strengthened border protection with Belarus. In addition to various organizational measures, officials from other SBGS units were assigned to this section and additional technical resources were assigned. The border guards are also assisted by forces from other Lithuanian institutions, including the army, as well as officials from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency FRONTEX and Estonia.
Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min photo / EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson visited the Interior Ministry
100 agents are helping to protect the Lithuanian border, as well as 30 cars and helicopters constantly monitoring the situation. In addition, Lithuania has also started to build a physical barrier – a concert fence. The Migration Department is hiring more staff to speed up the processing of asylum applications, the Interior Ministry report notes.
On Monday, the European Commissioner will visit the border, where people who have crossed the Lithuanian border illegally are temporarily housed in the firewalls.
According to data from Sunday morning, this year 3,545 migrants illegally crossed the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. Yet on Sunday alone, according to SBGS, a record number of people crossed the border illegally – 255 people.
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