MOSCOW, January 12 Finland is preparing a law on border procedures for asylum seekers on the border with Russia, but the time frame for completing work on the law is difficult to estimate, Finnish Interior Minister Marie Rantanen said on Friday.
“The Finnish Ministry of the Interior is preparing a law on border procedure (on the border with the Russian Federation – ed.) … It’s difficult to estimate the time frame, but work is underway,” she said on public broadcaster Yle’s morning program when asked when the law will be ready, but did not clarified the details of the document.
Rantanen clarified that when preparing the law, a search is being made for available legal instruments that will not infringe on the rights of asylum seekers and restrict free movement across the border. However, according to the minister, the border procedure will not solve all existing issues.
Earlier, the Finnish news agency STT reported, citing Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, that the Finnish government would consider the possibility of returning migrants who arrived across the Russian-Finnish border to Russia without considering their asylum applications. In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that amendments to the law on foreign citizens are being prepared, according to which asylum seekers will not be able to move freely throughout the country and enter other EU countries while their asylum application is being considered.
Previously, Finnish authorities extended the closure of the border with Russia until February 11. The previous government decision was valid from December 15 to January 14. Finland began introducing restrictions on border crossings from November 2023 amid an uncontrolled flow of refugees from third countries. From November 30 to December 13, all land border crossings with Russia were closed. Finland opened two border points on December 14 for a couple of days, then the government again decided to completely close the border until January 14.
Finnish authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately sending asylum seekers to the border.
Earlier, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the closure of Finnish checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation, noted that the Russophobic position, which the leaders of this neighboring country have now begun to adhere to, is deeply regrettable. Peskov also emphasized that Russian border guards comply with all instructions, “the border crossing is used by those who have the legal right to do so,” and far-fetched accusations are unacceptable for Moscow.