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The minister reminded what he has said before – that there was a substantial increase in the number of persons attempting to cross the border illegally last year, and that dozen of human traffickers also were detained. He said that migration routes today are very changeable, that is why Latvia must be ready for illegal immigrants attempting to enter the European Union via Latvia's eastern border to continue.

He said that straightening out the external borders with Russia and Belarus and improving the capacity of the State Border Guard would need approximately EUR 80 million, and that this should be completed by 2020. The minister hopes that the government's commitment to strengthen internal security will not disappear and that this undertaking will result in a decision on allocating additional financing to the State Border Guard. He reminded that Estonia has already committed to invest EUR 75 million in straightening out its eastern border.

Kozlovskis said that the cooperation between Latvian and Russian border guards in combating illegal immigration is satisfactory, but cannot be described as outstanding. At the same time, Latvia has prepared a plan of action in case masses of migrants begin to flow across Latvian borders, which foresees member of the Home Guard arrive to assist the State Border Guard.

As reported, last year, Latvian border guards detained a record-high number of trespassers, who had crossed the green border in the eastern part of the country illegally – altogether 476 people which is a triple increase from 144 people detained in 2014.

In addition, nearly 90 people were detained as suspected human traffickers for helping illegal immigrants to cross the border last year. Criminal charges have already been brought against 66 people and 25 have been convicted and mostly given jail terms.

Human trafficking is a well-organized business – there are people, who lead migrants to the Latvian border on the other side, and people, who receive them on this side, as well as those, who make arrangements for taking migrants to other European countries. There are Latvian, Russian, Estonian and Polish citizens among the traffickers.

In the first two months of this year Latvian border guards have detained 16 people for illegal border crossing.