If the modernization projects of the border crossing points Terehova, Grebņeva, and Pāternieki are halted, the amount of non-eligible expenses would reach at least 733,504 euros, according to a response prepared by the Ministry of the Interior of Latvia to a request from deputies of the United List Latvia regarding the 35.7 million euros investment in modernizing border crossing infrastructure on the Latvia–Russia border.
Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis explained that the implementation of these projects began in 2024 and has already reached significant progress. This includes the development of initial-stage construction designs, which, if the projects were discontinued, would remain unused and become “wasted resources.” As a result, the national target of commissioning modernized border crossing infrastructure would not be achieved, leading to negative consequences.
The minister also noted that 1.75 million euros has already been spent on the projects. If they were terminated, at least 733,504 euros would be classified as ineligible costs, with additional risks of financial corrections at an even higher level, as well as potential claims related to unjustified termination of procurement procedures.
According to the minister, failure to complete the projects would mean that key objectives would not be achieved, including preventing illegal immigration, the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and illegal goods, as well as the spread of dangerous plant and animal diseases into Latvia and the European Union. It would also undermine efforts to ensure internal security, combat cross-border crime, protect the economic border, and facilitate international trade. Furthermore, measures aimed at strengthening the EU’s external border and ensuring infrastructure and working conditions that meet EU standards for border control services would not be implemented.
Kozlovskis also pointed out that
even if strict national-level import restrictions were introduced, cross-border cargo transport would not cease entirely.
Transit flows would remain, as well as shipments related to other EU member states’ trade with Russia. Border crossings would also continue to be influenced by EU-level regulations allowing certain categories of goods and exemptions.
On Wednesday, the Saeima’s Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee rejected the request submitted by the opposition deputies.
As previously reported, opposition MPs from the United List submitted a request to Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, asking her to explain the consistency of government policy regarding the investment of 35.7 million euros in border crossing modernization, while at the same time publicly committing to fully sever economic ties with Russia by the end of 2026.
The deputies argued that there is a contradiction between declared political goals and actual actions. While the government speaks of ending economic relations, it continues to implement large-scale infrastructure projects at border crossings such as Pāternieki, Terehova, and Grebņeva. According to information from State Real Estate, the projects include the construction of new buildings and infrastructure for border control services,
improving cross-border capacity and transport flow efficiency.
The request highlights concerns that such actions raise doubts about the government’s real policy direction and may mislead the public, as it remains unclear why infrastructure facilitating movement between the two countries is being strengthened while economic ties are supposedly being cut. Deputies also asked what the practical purpose of these infrastructure objects would be after 2026.
They requested detailed information on the current status of all three projects, implementation deadlines, funding already used, and the justification for continuing them. They also asked whether the government had considered redirecting the funds to other security measures, such as strengthening the physical protection of the border, and why such an evaluation had not yet been conducted.
Previously, the head of the State Border Guard, Guntis Pujāts, stated that all border crossing points in eastern Latvia will be equipped with automatic road barriers designed to stop malicious offenders. He explained that a project is underway to strengthen and develop border crossing infrastructure by installing technical solutions capable of blocking vehicle movement. These include metal bollards built into the road that can automatically rise at the push of a button, preventing vehicles from proceeding. The project is led by State Real Estate, and the procurement process is currently ongoing.
Read also: NBS commander: Russia unable to cope with Ukrainian drone strikes