On 15 November this year, the European Commission approved the EUR 123.5 million national programme for the period 2021-2027 of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (IBMVP) submitted by the Ministry of the Interior.
The objective of the IBMVP for the programming period 2021-2027 is to establish a strong and modern external border security for Latvia, thus contributing to a high level of internal security in the European Union. It also plans to modernize the common visa policy with a view to facilitating legitimate travel and addressing migration and security risks.
The unstable situation in third countries and their hybrid warfare provocations on Latvia’s external border require significant action to modernize the border by implementing integrated border management adapted to the challenges of the 21st century, including the introduction of new digital security solutions for Latvia’s security. Support for external border security and the modernization of the visa system is particularly important for Latvia, both as a European Union and Schengen border state.
The IBMVP will include the development of a system of sensors, CCTV cameras, a data transmission network and computer software for border surveillance, which will ensure continuous identification of events and online border control for institutions responsible for addressing threats to the country. In particular, the strengthening of the Latvian-Belarusian border is given special emphasis in the framework of the IBMVP 2021-2027 programming period.
Strengthening and modernizing Latvia’s external border security and the common visa policy will reduce the risks of illegal activities at Latvia’s external borders.
The current technological means of surveillance at the external borders of Latvia, NATO, the European Union and the European Economic Area are not sufficient to ensure effective response capabilities in crisis situations. It is essential that all the Member States of the European Union use modern technological means to monitor their external borders.
The Ministry of the Interior is the Managing Authority for the IBMVP 2021-2027 programming period.
The 123 556 749.98 euros available to Latvia for the IBMVP 2021-2027 programming period consist of 94 083 305 euros of European Union co-financing and 29 473 444.98 euros of national co-financing.