Additional funding totaling €21,405,416 was allocated in August, 2025 for the "Automated Border Surveillance Infrastructure" project. Of this, €16,054,062 comes from European Union, with the remaining €5,351,354 from the state budget.
Hybrid operations conducted by Russia and Belarus have increased risks along the EU's external borders, and weaponized migration flows could be diverted to the Latvia-Russia border at any time. To be prepared for potential provocations and migration risks, this additional funding will be used to construct a modern, technologically advanced border section of approximately 60 km along the Latvia-Russia border, while work continues on the land border section with Belarus.
Work on the Latvia-Russia border is set to begin soon, with completion planned by the end of 2026. The additional funding will facilitate the creation of a smart border surveillance infrastructure—a comprehensive perimeter monitoring solution that operates as a single, interconnected system, ensuring continuous, real-time, and reliable surveillance of the specific border section.
The project is being implemented by the State Border Guard in collaboration with the state-owned joint-stock company "Latvian State Radio and Television Centre" and the State Provision Agency, within the framework of the Financial Support Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy, managed in Latvia by the Ministry of the Interior. The total cost of the project is €117,364,047 (€88,023,036 from EU funds, €29,341,011 from the state budget).
Latvia highly values the financial support from the European Union, which is crucial for strengthening our external borders. This significant contribution helps Latvia counter modern security threats and maintain stability on the EU's frontier. The EU's funding is not just a financial lifeline; it's a testament to the solidarity and shared commitment among member states to protect our common security and values. This collective effort is vital in facing hybrid threats and ensuring the safety of all EU citizens.
