According to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets, this is an internationally significant development. "As a country on the EU’s eastern border, we are responsible for the security of the entire Schengen Area. It is precisely security and accurate knowledge of our border traffic that ensure the openness and functioning of the Schengen Area. This concerns not only the movement of people but also goods. In the bigger picture, the openness and functioning of the Schengen Area are one of the foundations for the smooth functioning and competitiveness of the European, and thus also our, economic space," emphasised Läänemets.
The total volume of the BMVI programme has increased to €53,128,375.22, of which €2 million will be allocated as targeted additional funding for the implementation of the 'Smart Borders' system across Europe. With the additional funding, we can launch the systems at the same time as other member states.
Queries from the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be utilised in border control, migration supervision, visa processing, and in the fight against terrorism and other serious crime. These systems will process data of third-country nationals who cross the EU's borders for short-term stays. The data of Estonian and EU citizens and residents will not be entered or processed in these systems. The projects will be implemented by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Previously, Estonia has used BMVI funding to procure and install drones, land and water vehicles for patrolling, various cameras, radars, and other modern surveillance and security technology at its external borders. In addition to the acquisition and installation of surveillance and security equipment, BMVI funding is also used for the maintenance and upkeep of this equipment, including the rental of ABC gates at border crossing points in Tallinn, Narva, and Saatse. With the support of the EU the external border is protected with the state-of-the-art technology, ensuring smoother flows of travellers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, speeding up border crossings, and enabling effective prevention, detection, and combatting of cross-border crime.
