December 21, 2007. Latvia and Lithuania joined Schengen area (no control procedures performed at borders). One more wall falls and one more gate opens. Of course, total number of persons crossing the borders increases year by year in both countries. For example: 2016 – 9,8 mln. travellers, 2017 – 10,2 mln. travellers crossed LTU border. In the same time for different reasons were refused to enter Lithuania (EU) in 2016 – 4579 travellers and in 2017 – 5182 travellers.
The fact that illegal immigrants entering to one of EU/Schengen countries could freely travel within EU/Schengen countries raises necessity to tighten random checks at EU internal border, also at Lithuania – Latvia border. To perform it better it is needed to consolidate efforts of both countries by implementing effective cross – border cooperation mechanisms, e.g. Joint operations, Joint patrolling etc.

The project is co-financed by the Latvia-Lithuania programme. Project Lead partner is latvian State police.

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