(Reuters) – Finland, which has accused Moscow of gathering migrants on its eastern border, plans to reform laws to strengthen borders and national security and combat so-called “instrumentalized migration” The Ministry of Interior announced on Monday.
Finland closed its long eastern border with Russia late last year after an unusually large influx of people from countries such as Syria and Somalia. The Kremlin has denied Finland’s claims that it is gathering migrants at its borders.
The ministry said in a statement that the leak was an attempt by Russia to influence Finland’s national security.
“This project will strengthen border security and prepare legal reforms that will help to effectively counter any attempts to put pressure on Finland in the form of instrumental migration,” the report said. said.
“The law will be amended to protect Finland from threats to national security,” he said, without providing further details.
Earlier this month, the ministry announced that hundreds of migrants were waiting near the Russian side of the border to enter Finland as the government expanded border controls.
The agency said Monday that the revised bill would be used as a “last resort.”
“This will ensure that authorities are able to deal with the most serious cases of instrumental migration,” the report said.
The government aims to submit amendments to parliament in March.
(Reporting by Anna Ringström; Additional reporting by Anne Kaulanen in Helsinki; Editing by Leslie Adler)