[ad_1]
“Lithuania is facing a hybrid aggression, and this aggression is not only directed against Lithuania, but also against the entire European Union and its fundamental democratic values.
Lithuania is doing its best to manage the situation, but we also need the support and solidarity of other EU Member States to achieve tangible results. 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, smart border surveillance and improved border control with joint EU-allied forces, would stop most illegal migrants and prevent the establishment of illegal migration. through Lithuania, while preventing migrants from moving to Western countries.
We need financial support for this. According to preliminary estimates, the implementation of technical measures alone can untie up to 500 million. “says the Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė.
The Minister also emphasized 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, according to revised forecasts of migration flows, the amount of support needed to ensure the necessary measures to manage the migration crisis is significantly higher: this year it could reach 100 million. 20 million euros in 2022. euros.
During the meeting, the Commissioner for the Interior of the European Commission, Y. Johansson, assured that he was well aware that Lithuania had faced the actions of the hybrid war and that the decisions, taking this into account, 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. He 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.
Mr. Johansson noted that the EU countries highly appreciate Lithuania’s efforts to prevent the establishment of a new illegal migration path and praised the Lithuanian Government for decisive and timely action to solve the problems of illegal migration.
“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, “says Y. Johansson.
The European Commissioner for the Interior assured that the EU is actively cooperating not only to help Lithuania resolve this crisis by providing support and support, but also constantly seeking solutions in negotiations with the migrants’ countries of origin for their return 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. 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.
On Monday, the European Commissioner will visit the border, where people who have crossed the Lithuanian border illegally are temporarily housed in the firewalls.
This year, 3,545 migrants illegally crossed the border between Lithuania and Belarus.
