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EU Sends €17M Security Aid to Finland to Reinforce NATO’s Northern Border With Russia
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The European Union is providing Finland with 17 million euros to improve surveillance along its eastern border and the Gulf of Finland.
The money comes from the EU’s Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument, according to the Finnish government website on March 20.
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The Finnish Border Guard will use these funds to buy unmanned surveillance systems and surface drones. These systems are designed to stay operational even when satellite signals are blocked or interfered with.
"These drones and unmanned surface vessels will significantly improve the ability of the Finnish Border Guard to monitor the borders and maintain a situational picture of both the eastern border and the Gulf of Finland," the government statement said.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer land border with Russia, which is the longest of any EU member state.
The funding is part of a larger 150 million euro package from the EU intended for several countries, including Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. The goal is to help member states support the work of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
Reports also indicate that Italy and Denmark are looking for ways to close Europe’s external borders if a new migration crisis occurs. They have asked the European Commission to look into preventive measures.
These countries suggested using the methods Greece used with Turkey in 2020 and Poland’s approach toward Belarus since late 2021 as potential models for border security.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced that Finland would increase its defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2029 to protect the country from potential Russian aggression.
He stated that this move was part of Finland’s contribution to Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense.
Additionally, Finnish authorities and the Defense Forces concluded that it was necessary to prepare for a withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use and production of anti-personnel mines, following a thorough assessment of the security situation along the 1,300-kilometer border with Russia.
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