Latvia, Lithuania cut border guards

  • 2011-01-01
  • TBT Staff

VILNIUS - The border guards manning Lithuania/Latvia crossings have been let go as the two countries drastically slash the amount of border control between the two countries.

As of Jan. 1, 2011, there are just 50 border guards remaining. About 220 border crossing posts were removed.

Though the two countries joined the Schengen Zone in 2007, thus removing the need for regular passport control, there remained border crossing points designed to combat smuggling.