EU to provide Finland with EUR 17 million for surveillance of eastern border and Gulf of Finland
Finland will receive EUR 17 million from the European Union to strengthen the surveillance of the eastern border and the Gulf of Finland and improve Finland's ability to maintain an up-to-date picture of the situation. With support from the EU Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI), the Finnish Border Guard will acquire unmanned surveillance systems that are resistant to interference with satellite positioning systems (GNSS disruptions).
Finland has the longest common land border with Russia of all EU countries, stretching 1,340 kilometres. The operating environment at the eastern border has changed dramatically and permanently, which makes it more difficult to predict situations.
These unmanned aircraft, or drones, and unmanned surface vessels, will significantly improve the Finnish Border Guard's ability to control the borders and maintain a situational picture of both the eastern border and the Gulf of Finland.
The total amount of funding available was EUR 150 million. In addition to Finland, funding was granted to Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. The purpose is to strengthen the operational capacity of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex by supporting Member States' border surveillance capabilities. The Finnish Border Guard will actively share the experiences gained from the project financed with the additional funding with other Member States and Frontex.
The objective of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy is to ensure a strong and effective European integrated border management at the Union's external borders, ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union while safeguarding the free movement of persons within it. Actions providing operating support for the implementation of the European integrated border management and of the common visa policy may be funded through the BMVI.
Inquiries:
Riika Väliahde, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 257, [email protected]
