The Norwegian government plans to follow the example of Finland and erect a fence to Russia. “The border fence is very suitable because it can serve as a deterrent, but also because it will have sensors and sensors to detect people moving near the border,” says the Norwegian Minister of Justice, Emily Enger Mell. “This is a measure that can become relevant for the entire border or for part of it,”, she added, quoted by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
Readiness for rapid action
It was clear from her words that the government is ready to close the border very quickly if necessary. In addition, various measures to strengthen border protection are being discussed, including the appointment of more border guards, increased monitoring, and others.
In 2016, Norway erected a 200-meter defense facility at the Storskog border crossing – the only one between Norway and Russia. At the time, this was perceived by many Norwegians as a rather controversial decision, ARD recalls, adding that later, after the war against Ukraine began, Norway suspended its visa agreement with Russia from 2007.
Migrants from third countries enter Norway from Russia
Norway, which is part of the Western defense alliance NATO, has a border with Russia that is almost 198 kilometers long. Currently, the Storskog border crossing is surrounded by a fence that is 200 meters long and over three meters high. It was erected in 2016 after about 5,000 migrants and asylum seekers entered Norway from Russia a year earlier.
Last year, Finland also temporarily closed all its border crossings with Russia after more than 1,300 third-country migrants entered the country from Russia without proper documents and visas. To prevent Moscow from using migrants as a tool in its hybrid war, Helsinki is currently building fences totaling up to 200 kilometers in separate sections along its borders, which are part of NATO's northern flank and serve as the European Union's external border.
An area that is important to Russia
Inspired by the example of Finland, Justice Minister Enger Mel believes that such a fence could be a good solution for Norway as well. In general, however, cases of illegal crossing of the Norwegian border from Russian territory are very rare. NRK quotes the opinion of Arilda Moe, a senior researcher at the Fritjof Nansen Institute, who points out the differences between the Finnish-Russian and the Norwegian-Russian border: "The Norwegian-Russian border is the end of an area that is heavily militarized by the Russian side. There is active military activity here and this area is very sensitive for Russia.“