In addition to fences and patrol paths, technological infrastructure is also necessary on the eastern border. To expedite the outfitting of the border with the required technology, on Thursday, 2 November, the Saeima supported in the final reading amendments to the Law on Construction of the External Land Border Infrastructure.
Henceforth, landowners will no longer be consulted on the installation and construction of technology; instead, they will be informed about it, as indicated by the authors of the draft law, with an emphasis on the necessity to reduce bureaucracy. Landowners will also receive corresponding compensation.
Until now, the construction of technological infrastructure has been challenging or even impossible. All actions had to be coordinated with all landowners, but in practice, they often set unreasonable demands or did not agree to and did not coordinate the planned construction, highlighted the authors of the amendments.
The amendments also stipulate that all documents regarding the construction of engineering networks should be issued within a shorter timeframe.
The eastern border will be equipped with technology by mid-2026, according to the information provided previously by the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre to MPs.
Additionally, the National Armed Forces will be authorised to carry out the construction of border infrastructure, including that of fortifications and other anti-mobility elements on the external land border and in the adjacent territories. Until now, the Latvian Army could only carry out construction on properties owned by the Ministry of Defence. The National Armed Forces will be involved in the construction of a 20-kilometre-long fence on the Latvia-Russia border, as previously indicated by State Real Estate.
The construction of the external land border infrastructure is undertaken by State Real Estate, while the technological infrastructure is developed and implemented by the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre.
The amendments will enter into force on the next day after their promulgation.
Saeima Press Service