Finland to resume 2 border crossing points with Russia

The government on Tuesday decided to resume two border crossing points at eastern border from December 14.

The government at an extraordinary session decided to resume the border crossing points of Vaalimaa and Niirala for traffic, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release.

The remaining border crossing points, however, will remain closed.

The government will close the entire eastern border again, if instrumentalised migration at the eastern border continues.

“We cannot tell whether things have changed for the better without lifting some restrictions. That is why, after careful consideration, we are opening two border crossing points in a controlled manner. However, we are prepared to quickly impose restrictions again. Finland will ensure its national security,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Goods traffic through Vainikkala will continue.

“Nevertheless, we would like to emphasise that people should not travel to the Finnish-Russian border under these circumstances. Finland will make sure that our eastern border does not become a new pathway for instrumentalised migration into Europe,” said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The government on November 28 decided to close the all the border crossing points with Russia from November 30 against the backdrop of influx of the increasing number of asylum seekers.

Earlier, Finland closed three more border crossing points- Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius- at the eastern border early November 24.

​The government took the decision on November 22.

But entry into Finland at the eastern border has continued despite earlier restrictions.

Earlier on November 18, Finland closed four border crossing points- at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala at eastern border.

The government on November 16, decided to close part of Finland's eastern border with Russia.

The government on November 15 at a meeting decided that measures to ensure border security will be taken following the rapid increase in illegal entry at the eastern border.

Earlier on November 14, the Ministry of the Interior said, the government may decide to restrict cross-border traffic or to close border crossing points at eastern border with Russia against the backdrop of the influx of increasing number of asylum seekers.