The construction of a fence along Lithuania’s border with Belarus was completed at the end of last week, as confirmed by EPSO-G, the state-owned energy group responsible for the project. The barrier, consisting of a fence and razor wire, was installed in sections stretching approximately 502 kilometers.
The project team is continuing its work, which includes maintenance tasks, elimination of minor barrier deficiencies, rehabilitation of roads and construction sites, management of project documentation. Lithuania and Belarus share a border of 679 kilometres. This includes 100 kilometres running along rivers and lakes.
Lithuania decided to build a four-metre fence with razor wire along its border with Belarus in a bid to stave off illegal migration from the neighbouring country. Almost 4,200 irregular migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus last year, most of them from the Middle East and Africa. Vilnius has accused the Minsk government of trafficking migrants in order to pressure the European Union.
Lithuanian border guards, instructed not to allow migrants into the country, pushed back more than 13,000 people since August 3, 2021. The number includes repeated attempts by the same people to cross the border.
The State Border Guard Service (VSAT) has said that Belarusian border guards continue to transport migrants to the EU border and direct them to sections without fencing.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė was pleased that the fencing was erected on time and within the projected budget, but said that work on border security will continue, because the fence is not enough to prevent illegal migration. In recent weeks, migrants have again been attempting to cross the border into Lithuania, with 125 turned away on August 27.
