Since the beginning of this month, more than 600 people without valid travel documents have entered Finland via Russia, forcing Helsinki to close several border crossings. “ The government has decided today to close more border crossings,” Orpo said at a press conference.
A border gate between Russia and Finland. Photo: Reuters
The asylum seekers came from countries including Yemen, Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria, according to the migration agency. A spokesman for the European Union border agency Frontex said it planned to deploy officers and equipment to Finland as early as next week in response to a request from Helsinki.
Earlier in the day, Estonia said 75 migrants, mostly from Somalia and Syria, had tried to enter from Russia since last week. The Baltic state said it was prepared to close border crossings if the migrant pressure from Russia increased.
The Finnish border guard said on Wednesday that illegal entry continued at the border crossings with Russia and had moved further north along the border to Vartius and Salla, two border posts that still accept asylum applications.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Monday that repatriating people who do not meet asylum criteria has become impossible and called for an EU-wide solution to prevent uncontrolled entry into the Schengen area.
The Kremlin said on Monday it had sent a formal protest note to Finland over the partial closure of the border between the two countries.
Hoang Nam (according to Reuters)
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