Defending the Eastern border
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-17 15:42
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur responded to questions from Riigikogu members Aleksei Jevgrafov and Arvo Aller concerning the defense and security of Estonia's eastern border. Jevgrafov sought information on how the state plans to strengthen the eastern border's defense capabilities and what the impact of the new measures would be on local residents. Minister Pevkur explained that the reinforcement of border defense is being carried out in close cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, covering river, lake, and land borders. As preventive measures, concrete barriers and barbed wire fences have been placed along the border. These are mostly located away from densely populated areas, ensuring they do not disrupt daily life. As a significant update, the minister announced plans to utilize the Defence Forces reserve this year for internal defense purposes and border protection tasks, starting with a test deployment of a platoon-sized unit. Additionally, a unit focused on border defense will be established within the Northeast Territorial Defence District. Follow-up questions addressed evacuation plans for the residents of Narva in the event of a potential attack. The minister confirmed that the Rescue Board has existing plans for mass evacuation, which have been practiced in cooperation with the Defence League, the Women's Voluntary Defence Organization (Naiskodukaitse), and local municipalities. He emphasized that the need for evacuation could arise during other crisis situations, not just military conflict. Arvo Aller inquired about ensuring the security of Lake Peipus, referencing the marking of the border with spruce branches. Pevkur confirmed that the Estonian state possesses monitoring systems that provide a comprehensive overview of activities on the lake, and the border guard is capable of responding to illegal border crossing attempts regardless of the season.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Aleksei Jevgrafov is today submitting his ninth question to Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the topic of which is the defense of the eastern border.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The address asks how Estonia plans to strengthen the defense of its eastern border, including the potential laying of mines, and how these measures might affect the daily lives of local people.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Pehkur explained that the border is divided into river, lake, and land sections, and to strengthen border defense, cooperation is being carried out between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior. If necessary, the reserve of the Defense Forces and the border defense-oriented unit of the Northeast Territorial Defense District will be utilized, preventive border elements will be deployed, and operations will be assigned to the Police and Border Guard Board. However, the daily lives of local residents will not be directly affected, and the impact is preventive.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the floor and asks Aleksei Yevgrafov to put forward a clarifying question.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov asks the minister whether the state has an evacuation plan for Narva residents, what preparations are needed should an attack occur, and hopes that this will not happen.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that Estonia is doing everything to prevent an attack and military conflict against Estonia, and that Narva evacuation plans are in place, along with cooperation involving the Rescue Board, the Defense League, the Women's Voluntary Defence Organization, and local municipalities. However, in the event of a mass evacuation, there is no absolute assurance, and extensive cooperation is required.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks them and asks Arvo Aller to pose a follow-up question.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In Arvo Aller's address, it was stressed that border protection in the Lake Peipus region must be strengthened. This includes surveillance and the capability to repel those attempting to cross illegally, thereby ensuring the security of the Estonian side.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
The Estonian state maintains a year-round overview of border activity using surveillance and border control systems. The border is marked, and the primary responsibility rests with the fisherman himself, as illegal border crossings are met with a firm response.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanked his colleagues and announced that the tenth question could not be addressed because the questioner, Kert Kingo, was not present in the hall.