The Estonian Ministry of Finance has developed another plan to tighten the rules for crossing the Estonian-Russian border.
This is reported by Postimees.
Finance Minister Mart Virklaev explained that the need for changes is due to the security situation in Europe and Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“The revision of the border crossing points follows from the principle reaffirmed by the Estonian state in April 2022 that economic relations with Russia should be minimized, as well as from the sanctions policy adopted last year,” Võrklaiev said.
According to the draft law, the Koydula checkpoint will be open from 5 am to 10 pm during the day, and customs clearance of goods will be possible from 7 am to 7 pm.
The proposed change does not affect the railway checkpoint in Koydula.
The road crossing point in Luhamaa will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The main change will be the complete closure of the checkpoint for pedestrians, but the border will still be accessible by vehicles.
The closure is necessary to improve control over sanctioned goods, as well as to ensure safety and traffic, as those crossing the border on foot and the cars of people who drive them block the roadway at the border, and pedestrian traffic creates dangerous situations on the road.
Author - Olena Madiak, 19/07/2024