This was agreed at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė, Minister of the Environment Simonas Gentvilas and Deputy Director of the State Protected Areas Service Albertas Stanislovaitis.
According to the Minister of the Interior, together with environmentalists and specialists of protected areas, we managed to find solutions with the least impact on nature.
“Additional border protection measures are necessary because this year alone, around 700 illegal migrants were denied entry in marshy areas on the border with Belarus, and at least 13 cases of smuggling were detected. However, we do this very responsibly by assessing the potential impact on nature together with environmental protection specialists. We received assurances from environmentalists that the impact on nature will be minimal,” A. Bilotaitė was quoted as saying in the report.
The Ministry emphasizes that no additional interventions or forest cutting will be necessary, as the physical barrier will be installed in the border zone, that is, where the monitoring systems are installed.
In turn, the State Border Guard Service also organized meetings with representatives of the State Protected Territories Service regarding border infrastructure strengthening projects in the protected territories located at the state border.
There is no physical barrier along the border with Belarus in a stretch of about 122 kilometers: almost 58 kilometers of them are near the border waters and about 64 kilometers on land, near streams and marshes.
There is no physical barrier along the border with Russia for about 230 kilometers: almost all of this distance consists of border waters and about seven kilometers are on land, near streams and marshes.
In those sections where the state border runs along lakes and rivers, it is proposed not to build a physical barrier at this time.
The entire border with Belarus and Russia, including places where there is no physical barrier, is controlled by the border guards with surveillance systems.
It was decided to build a physical barrier on the border with Belarus after the influx of illegal migrants from this country in 2021. Lithuania accuses the Minsk regime of organizing it and calls it a hybrid attack.
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Interview with Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Bilotaitė. Can you explain the recent meeting that took place regarding border protection measures?
Minister Bilotaitė: Thank you for having me. At the recent meeting with Minister of the Environment Simonas Gentvilas and Deputy Director of the State Protected Areas Service Albertas Stanislovaitis, we discussed necessary additional border protection measures, especially in light of the growing number of illegal migrants and smuggling activities along our border with Belarus.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that around 700 illegal migrants were denied entry this year. What specific measures are being proposed to address this issue?
Minister Bilotaitė: We are looking to implement physical barriers within the border zone, specifically in areas where monitoring systems are already operational. This approach allows us to enhance our border security while ensuring that we do not require additional forest cutting or significant interventions that could harm the environment.
Interviewer: How do you ensure that these measures will have minimal impact on the environment?
Minister Bilotaitė: Throughout our discussions, we worked closely with environmentalists and specialists in protected areas. They provided their expertise, assuring us that the solutions we are proposing will minimize environmental impact. We are committed to balancing security needs with environmental protection.
Interviewer: Can you elaborate on the coordination efforts between the different ministries and services involved?
Minister Bilotaitė: Absolutely. The meeting included representatives from the State Border Guard Service and the State Protected Territories Service. This collaboration is crucial for developing comprehensive border infrastructure while maintaining the integrity of our natural landscapes. We aim for a cohesive strategy that addresses security concerns without compromising our environmental commitments.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister Bilotaitė, for sharing this important information. What are the next steps in this process?
Minister Bilotaitė: In the coming weeks, we will finalize the detailed plans and move forward with the implementation of these border protection measures. Continuous dialogue with environmental specialists will remain a priority to ensure we adhere to our commitments to both national security and environmental conservation. Thank you.
Interview with Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Bilotaitė. Can you explain the recent meeting that took place regarding border protection measures?
Minister Bilotaitė: Thank you for having me. At the recent meeting with Minister of the Environment Simonas Gentvilas and Deputy Director of the State Protected Areas Service Albertas Stanislovaitis, we discussed necessary additional border protection measures, especially in light of the growing number of illegal migrants and smuggling activities along our border with Belarus.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that around 700 illegal migrants were denied entry this year. What specific measures are being proposed to address this issue?
Minister Bilotaitė: We are looking to implement physical barriers within the border zone, specifically in areas where monitoring systems are already operational. This approach allows us to enhance our border security while ensuring that we do not require additional forest cutting or significant interventions that could harm the environment.
Interviewer: How do you ensure that these measures will have minimal impact on the environment?
Minister Bilotaitė: Throughout this process, we worked closely with environmentalists and specialists in protected areas to evaluate the potential impact on nature. I can assure you that the consensus is that the measures we are proposing will have minimal effects, and we have received guarantees from experts that the natural habitat will not be adversely affected.
Interviewer: Can you elaborate on the geographic areas where these barriers will be constructed, especially concerning the marshy regions along the borders?
Minister Bilotaitė: Certainly. There are approximately 122 kilometers of the border with Belarus without a physical barrier, much of which runs through marshy areas. We are focusing construction efforts on specific land sections where they are most needed, particularly where there is already surveillance infrastructure in place. For sections that run along lakes and rivers, we have decided not to build a physical barrier at this time.
Interviewer: This decision seems to follow an urgent need given the hybrid threats perceived from the Belarusian regime. Can you elaborate on this?
Minister Bilotaitė: Yes, the influx of illegal migrants in 2021 prompted a strong response. We believe that the Minsk regime has been facilitating this situation as part of a hybrid attack against our nation. By strengthening our border security, we aim to tackle these challenges head-on while balancing our environmental commitments.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister Bilotaitė, for your insights. It’s clear the government is trying to navigate a complex situation.
Minister Bilotaitė: Thank you for having me. We remain committed to ensuring both the safety of our borders and the preservation of our natural environment.
