Finland permanently closes two border crossings with Russia
Finland's Border Guard has announced the permanent closure of two temporary border crossings with Russia in Inari and Parikkala, Finnish news outlet Yle reported on Oct. 24.
The border crossing at Inari was closed on Nov. 1, 2021, and the crossing at Parikkala was closed on April 19, 2022. These decisions were related to restrictions on the export of Russian timber.
"The decision in no way changes the current situation and will not affect local residents," said Deputy Commander of the North Karelia Border Guard, Samuli Murtonen.
The decision to close the temporary border crossings was unanimously agreed upon by the heads of the Finnish and Russian border services in October.
Finland now needs to amend its government regulation on border crossings to eliminate the checkpoints at Parikkala and Inari.
The border agency is currently developing practical steps to implement this decision. In practice, this means, for example, the removal of signs indicating the border crossing.
The reopening of temporary border crossings in the future is possible according to the agreement on border crossings between Finland and Russia.
Border closures in Finland
Finland announced on Nov. 6, 2023 the closure of four border crossings located in the east along the border with Russia.
Several more crossings were closed on Nov. 22, leaving only one open.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen announced on Nov. 28 that Finland would close the last remaining border crossing with Russia.
Finland closed all border checkpoints with Russia on Nov. 30.
The reason for this decision was an increase in cases where citizens of third countries, assisted by Russian border guards, arrived at the Finnish border without documents and sought asylum.
Finland plans to adopt temporary legislation that will allow its border authorities to block the entry of asylum seekers attempting to enter the country from Russia, according to media reports on March 15, 2024.
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