Evaluating the future of railway tracks in the eastern border zone, security interests will come first, said Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) in an interview this morning on the Latvian Television program "Morning Panorama," LETA reports.
According to him, the tracks can still be used for freight transport; however, if security considerations require the issue of their dismantling to be addressed, priority will be given to security interests.
The minister emphasized that the decision on this matter is classified information, while simultaneously acknowledging that the possibility of operational dismantling of the tracks is being considered if necessary.
As previously reported, Colin Smith, a researcher in international relations and defense, in an interview with the LETA agency, called for the dismantling of at least those railway tracks of Russian standard east of Daugavpils that are not in use, as he believes this is necessary to strengthen Latvia's military security, since the absence of a railway would significantly reduce Russia's ability to invade Latvia.
Regarding the weather balloons with contraband cigarettes heading towards Latvia from Belarus, Kozlovski noted that, unlike Lithuania, these flying objects do not pose a threat to critical infrastructure in Latvia. However, the minister expressed concern that the falling balloons could damage private property.
According to the minister, there is no indication from Belarus of any desire to hinder the actions of such smugglers. In this case, support from the Belarusian state may not be as pronounced as in the case of directing migrants to the Latvian border, but there is certainly inaction on the part of Belarusian responsible institutions.
