A basic regulation on countering hybrid attack by Belarus should be adopted at regional EU level - Karins

RIGA - According to the need, the government would be ready to extend the state of emergency on the border of Belarus, but a basic regulation on confronting the hybrid attack should actually be adopted at the regional level of the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) told members of the press on Tuesday.

He pointed out that in 2021, the state of emergency was introduced because the Belarusian regime decided to organize a hybrid war against Latvia - citizens of third countries are pushed to the border with Latvia and forced cross it illegally. The state of emergency has been declared so that Latvia, together with Lithuania and Poland, are able to protect the external border.

At present, a framework that could be put into law has not yet been fully developed to deal with such hybrid attacks in the future, so the state of emergency is still in place, said Karins.

If the state of emergency is lifted, then according to the laws adopted by the EU, persons attempting to cross the border must be taken and provided for. But this should be for citizens of Belarus crossing the border, trying to flee the regime. However, the regime is deliberately organizing the arrival of citizens of third countries who, according to international standards, should seek asylum in Belarus, the prime minister said.

"Such a basic regulation should be adopted by the entire EU, but if not then at least regionally, that is, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania should at least adopt a similar regulation. If necessary, the government would be ready to extend the state of emergency, but a legal regulation is still being worked on, because it is a regional issue," he said.

Interior Minister Maris Kucinskis (Joint List) also admitted to members of the press that it is important to synchronize actions with Poland and Lithuania also in legislation. At the beginning of February, Kucinskis will visit Lithuania, where he will discuss the search for a legal framework.