The State Audit Office Clarified Its Thoughts on Latvia's Eastern Border 0 10

As reported to LETA by the State Audit Office, the report compiles key facts about the progress made and challenges faced in implementing anti-mobility measures, namely the establishment of the Baltic Defense Line, emphasizing the need for more effective inter-agency cooperation. The document was prepared as part of the feasibility study "Is the strengthening of Latvia's eastern border in line with the plan?" to timely inform responsible institutions about identified risks and shortcomings and to call for necessary improvements. The audit is expected to be completed in 2026.

Member of the State Audit Office Council Gatis Litvin points out that significant work is currently underway to strengthen the eastern border. He acknowledges that, given the scale and strategic importance of these measures, their implementation cannot proceed in the usual manner.

"Clear guidance, discipline, and prompt actions are necessary to achieve the set goals," emphasizes Litvin.

He reports that the State Audit Office has already briefed the responsible officials on the report regarding the situation. However, considering the information contained in the document, as well as the directives from the Ministry of Defense and the provisions of the law "On State Secrets," it will not be accessible to the general public.

Litvin adds that the State Audit Office will continue to assess the progress of strengthening the eastern border as part of the feasibility study, and a comprehensive report with conclusions and recommendations will be prepared in 2026.

The State Audit Office emphasizes that effective inter-agency cooperation is crucial for implementing measures to strengthen the eastern border. Alongside the defense sector, the participation of other ministries and their subordinate sectors plays an important role, as well as their understanding of their responsibility for achieving the common state goal.

At the same time, the lack of a unified understanding and coordinated actions manifested, for example, in the development of the law on anti-mobility infrastructure. The special legal regulation necessary for strengthening the eastern border, which was planned to be approved by the end of 2024, was only adopted in early October 2025.

The State Audit Office explains that the facts identified in the report regarding the situation reflect the impact of the actions of all involved agencies on the implementation of military fortification measures at the border and the associated risks, for example, in the areas of forest policy, border protection, and road and railway infrastructure.

In this regard, the State Audit Office, considering the state significance and urgency of strengthening the eastern border, as well as the crucial role of cooperation among various ministries, has called on the Cabinet of Ministers to participate and exercise active political leadership, as well as regular oversight of the implementation of the border fortification plan.

Litvin reminds that 303 million euros have been allocated for the measures to strengthen the eastern border, and work at the border has been ongoing since the beginning of 2024.

"There has been enough time to identify risks, and there is still time to address them to complete the planned work by 2028. I hope that the involvement of the State Audit Office will help make the strengthening of Latvia's eastern border an undisputed state priority and ensure its consistent implementation across all responsible structures," says the member of the State Audit Office Council.

The State Audit Office has sent the report regarding the situation to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense and Finance, as well as the Chairs of the Saeima Commission on Public Expenditures and Audit and the Commission on Defense, Internal Affairs, and Corruption Prevention.

The situation study is a short-term summary of facts on issues relevant to society, without formulating conclusions or providing recommendations. For example, the audit report of the State Audit Office contains identified facts, conclusions, and recommendations, while the situation study contains only facts.

On March 5, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the plan for strengthening Latvia's eastern border and implementing anti-mobility measures, and as of July 23, 2024, strengthening the eastern border has been designated as one of the priorities for the defense capabilities of the National Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the plan for strengthening the eastern border and implementing anti-mobility measures is part of the establishment of the Baltic Defense Line, which along the entire border with Russia and Belarus provides for the creation of outposts for the National Armed Forces – defensive positions for soldiers and fortified structures, various barriers, anti-tank ditches, ammunition depots, and mines.

The State Audit Office began the feasibility study "Is the strengthening of Latvia's eastern border in line with the plan?" in June 2025. The purpose of the audit is to assess whether the strengthening of the eastern border and the implementation of anti-mobility measures are being carried out in accordance with the planned documents, as well as to evaluate progress in achieving the set goals and results.

It was previously reported that the creation of anti-mobility infrastructure is part of the Baltic Defense Line project, which was agreed upon by the Baltic States and Poland on January 19, 2024.

Since March 2024, the National Armed Forces have been working on the military fortification of Latvia's eastern border. The goal of creating defensive structures is to deter, halt, and, if necessary, eliminate the aggressor.

This year, 45 million euros have been allocated for the military fortification of Latvia's eastern border.