Clearing brush first step in border demarcation

  • 2014-10-01
  • From wire report

TALLINN - Prime Minister Taavi Roivas, Interior Minister Hanno Pevkur and Environment Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus have agreed that the most important thing needed to start demarcation of the Estonian-Russian border is to start clearing the control line. This is expected to be done by the State Forest Management Center (RMK), reports LETA.
“The situation at the Estonian border in terms of nature needs improving, our control line has to be cleared of bushes and trees,” said Prime Minister Roivas. “We agreed today with the Minister of Environment and Minister of Internal Affairs that in cooperation with RMK, we will start clearing and expanding the Estonian-Russian border line and demarking the border,” said Roivas.
“Increasing the security of the Estonian border and guaranteeing national security is the priority of the government,” he added.

Minister of the Environment Pentus-Rosimannus said that using RMK is the most effective way in doing this, because the RMK has all the necessary experience and resources. “The government has been looking for the fastest and most sensible way to clear the Estonian state border of brush. RMK, which specializes in forestry work, has both the readiness and the will to help and get the work done,” said the environment minister.
Interior Minister Pevkur said that 200,000 euros was allocated for clearing the border line and improving the equipment for the border guards this spring and summer. In addition, to further strengthen the border, 2 million euros has been allocated.

Pevkur said that this is being used to acquire additional technical surveillance equipment, night vision devices, personal protection means and weapons for the border guards. “In order to make the border surveillance easier and the operating range of surveillance cameras larger, it is undoubtedly necessary to clean up the border line,” said Pevkur.