“This is a crucial development, because Estonia must have a well-functioning and crisis-resilient solution at the EU’s external border. This includes efficient procedures for international protection and returns. It requires trained personnel and technical solutions, including IT systems, thorough background checks, and fast-track asylum and return procedures already at the border,” explained Minister of the Interior Igor Taro.
“If migration pressure arises at Estonia’s border, as we have seen at the Belarus–Lithuania border, we are now prepared to manage large numbers of people competently. People will undergo comprehensive background checks already at the border, their rights will be protected, they will be treated with dignity, and, if necessary, returned in the same manner. Now we have the funding to build this capability,” stressed Taro.
The primary objectives of the EU asylum and migration reform are stronger external borders and a faster, more efficient, and consistent process for international protection and returns. Implementation of the reforms is co-financed through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Integrated Border Management Fund – Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).
The European Commission has also provided additional funding through the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and BMVI to implement recommendations arising from the Schengen evaluation. The additional ISF funding will primarily be used to strengthen police cooperation and data exchange between EU Member States and Europol.
