Latvia Plans To Build Fence Along Russian Border

October 20, 2015

Latvia will build a fence along parts of its 270-kilometer border with Russia to keep illegal migrants out of the small Baltic country.

An Interior Ministry spokeswoman said on October 20 the barrier will cover 90 kilometers of the land border in several sections and will be equipped with high-tech sensors.

It's part of a 20 million euro ($23 million) project over the next four years to strengthen and better mark Latvia's border with its eastern neighbor.

Some 300 migrants have entered Latvia illegally from Russia this year. Most of the migrants are from Vietnam, but also from Iraq and Syria.

The project was planned long ago, but the Interior Ministry spokesman said it had become "a priority" amid the current migrant crisis in Europe.

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