Finnish Border Guard supports Estonian border security

The Finnish Border Guard on Wednesday started to provide bilateral border security support to Estonia, said an official press release.

The support, which will continue until 2 September is being provided at the request of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.

The support sent by the Finnish Border Guard comprises one border patrol and one patrol car.

The patrol will be supporting border security missions in the harbour and airport of Tallinn, thus at the same time supporting Finland's border security.

The support, which is based on the Prüm decision of the Council of the European Union and an agreement between the Finnish Border Guard and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, is related to the phenomenon of irregular migration from Belarus to the Baltic states, and from there on to Finland and other European countries.

The extent and necessity of the support is evaluated in cooperation with Estonian authorities. The support can be increased or continued, if necessary.

“International cooperation is important for Finland’s border security. Cooperation with neighbouring countries in particular is necessary for preventing irregular migration and cross-border crime. It is important for us to develop our ability to both offer and receive support,” said Lieutenant Markus Haapasaari, officer at the International Affairs Unit of the Finnish Border Guard Headquarters.