RIGA, March 2 (LETA) - It is important to complete the implementation of technological solutions for border surveillance along the entire eastern border of the country by the end of this year, emphasized President Edgars Rinkevics, who today visited the Latvia-Russia border in the territory of responsibility of the State Border Guard's Vilaka Administration in the Aluksne and Balvi regions.

As the President's advisor Martins Dregeris informed LETA, Rinkevics was accompanied on his visit to the border by the commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS), Kaspars Pudans, and the chief of the State Border Guard, General Guntis Pujats.

The President began his visit by familiarizing himself with the work of the Pededze Border Guard Unit and inspecting the border fence, the construction of which along the entire eastern border of the country was completed at the end of 2025.

At the Latvian-Russian border near Liepna, the President familiarized himself with the border guard infrastructure, which has been adapted to the marshy terrain. Rinkevics listened to information provided by representatives of the State Real Estate Agency and the Latvian State Radio and Television Center on the progress of the construction of the technological infrastructure at the border.

At the same time, representatives of the NBS introduced the President to the anti-mobility barriers and material and technical resources already in place at the closed border control points Pededze and Vientuli and informed him about the future military reinforcement of the border.

Rinkevics emphasized that the border fence that has been built is an important physical barrier, but border security and protection must be strengthened on a daily basis. In his opinion, it is important to complete the implementation of technological solutions for border surveillance along the entire length of the border by the end of this year.

The President noted that it is also important to continue to develop anti-mobility solutions to strengthen border protection and to deploy radar and air defense systems. Rinkevics concluded that the tense geopolitical situation is likely to continue for a long time, so it is necessary to prepare for various scenarios in a timely and organized manner.

"We are currently facing hybrid warfare activities, and with the thaw, illegal migration pressure is also resuming on the Latvian-Belarusian border," said the President.

Rinkevics emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the National Armed Forces, the State Border Guard, and local governments, including explaining the impact of anti-mobility measures to the public.