Estonia continues to support Latvia on the Belarusian border - PPA

TALLINN - The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has sent a new ESTPOL team to Latvia to continue supporting the Latvian border guard in repelling migration pressure originating from Belarus.

Estonia continues to contribute to the protection of the European Union's external border in a region where pressure remains high.

According to Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Director General of the PPA, the situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border is not just Latvia's concern but affects the security of the entire European Union. "The defense of the European Union's external border does not begin at Estonia's border. By supporting Latvia where migration pressure remains high, we help to curb illegal migration as close to the external border as possible and prevent its impact from reaching other member states, including Estonia. The further away we can stop illegal border crossings, the better Estonia's own security is protected," Kommusaar said.

He noted that Estonia's contribution has evolved into consistent cooperation with its allies, while the operation also provides Estonian border guards with valuable practical experience. "On the Latvian-Belarusian border, we see firsthand how migration is being used to pressure the European Union. This helps to strengthen Estonia's own preparedness, develop our capabilities, and foster even closer cooperation with partners to be ready for similar challenges in the future," Kommusaar added.

The Estonian team will support the Latvian border guard in areas with the highest migration pressure. In addition to officers, Estonia is contributing to the operation with service dogs, drones, and other specialized equipment.

The ESTPOL rotations are part of Estonia's long-term contribution to strengthening the European Union's external borders and to international police and border guard cooperation.