Finland’s government parties want to keep eastern border closed
The four parties in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s (NCP) coalition government want to keep Finland’s border crossings with Russia closed, according to news group Uutissuomalainen (USU).
Finland’s land border crossings with Russia have been closed for about a year, due to Russia funnelling asylum seekers from third countries to the border. The practice is called instrumentalised migration, a form of hybrid warfare.
A survey of party leaders found the Greens and Left Alliance had some interest in a partial opening of the crossings, USU reported on Friday.
However, the opposition SDP said it was important for the government to keep a close eye on the situation at the eastern border.
The eastern border’s closure is based on current threat assessments by authorities, MP Matias Marttinen (NCP) told the news group.
“According to their assessments, there is still a high risk that instrumentalised migration would start again if the border is opened,” he told USU, adding that the crossings should remain closed until the threat has ended.
The government parties are the National Coalition Party, Finns Party, Christian Democrats and the Swedish People’s Party. Parliamentary parties in the opposition include the Social Democrats, Greens, Centre, Left Alliance and Movement Now.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Yukon Arctic defence council calls for more attention to infrastructure in new report, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark’s Arctic, North Atlantic focus: Canada among new defence attaché posts, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: US, Norwegian forces in Lapland for rapid reinforcement exercise, The Independent Barents Observer
Norway: Nordic countries get ready to establish cross-border military corridors, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia:Russia to begin artillery firing near Norway’s Grense Jakobselv, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Updated version of Sweden’s preparedness guide sent out to households, Radio Sweden
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
