EU provisionally backs about €32 million for Estonia's border surveillance

The European Commission has made a preliminary decision to provide Estonia with approximately €32 million to improve surveillance of its border with Russia, the Estonian Interior Ministry said.

The Police and Border Guard Board will develop the system in cooperation with the Defence Forces. Interior Minister Igor Taro said the equipment should help authorities detect and assess potential threats more quickly.

The ministry said the system was intended to help prevent illegal border crossings, smuggling, misuse of drones and irregular migration.

The support covers three years. Surveillance is intended to cover land, the Narva River and airspace along Estonia's eastern frontier, which is also an EU external border.

Funding is provided through the EU's border management and visa policy instrument. Estonia will contribute 10% in national co-financing.