Norway–Russia border barrier

The Norway–Russia border barrier is an international border barrier under construction by Norway on the Norway–Russia border. Construction of the barrier began in 2016. The intent of the project is to prevent the smuggling and illegal crossing of migrants from the Middle East, mainly from Syria, who have used Russia as a route of entry into Norway (and thus into the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone). In the Cold War period, it served as a barrier between Norway (a NATO member) and the Soviet Union (a member of the Warsaw Pact).

Background

The Norwegian-Russian border, seen from Skafferhullet, Norway, with a Norwegian fence (Does not show the newer constructed border barrier).

During the Cold War, the older barrier existed at the old border control site at Skafferhullet near the Pasvik river 4 km west of Storskog. It was probably built around 1960 when the road was used for construction of the Borisoglebsky hydroelectric station, and only accessible for authorised traffic. This border crossing was passable for general public before 1940 and again in 1965.

Furthermore, there are fences around the Pasvik River hydroelectric stations, of which some are located on the border. These fences are not considered to be border fences, but private installation fences.

In 2016, 5,500 asylum-seekers illegally entered Norway from Russia.[1][2] Because it is illegal to drive from Russia to Norway without proper legal permission, and crossing on foot is prohibited, the migrants make the crossing on bicycles.[3][4]

Barrier

The barrier will be located at the Storskog border crossing.[1] It will be built of steel and will stand 660 feet (200 m) long and 11 feet (3.4 m) to 12 feet (3.7 m) high.[1] Norwegian officials aim to complete the barrier before winter temperatures harden the ground.[1]


See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Norway Will Build a Fence at Its Arctic Border With Russia". New York Times. Reuters. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Pancevsky, Bojan (4 September 2016). "Norway builds Arctic border fence as it gives migrants the cold shoulder". The Times of London. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Osborne, Samuel (25 August 2016). "Norway to build border fence with Russia to keep out refugees". The Independent.
  4. ↑ Hovland, Kjetil Malkenes (3 September 2015). "Syrian Refugees Take Arctic Route to Europe More than 150 refugees have entered Norway from Arctic Russia this year". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
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