Before the closure, these border checkpoints were the busiest on the eastern border.
The construction of the barrier has only increased interest in the border of Southeast Finland. There are more people wanting to visit than the Border Guard can accommodate.
The closed border crossings on Finland's eastern border and the barrier built there have become popular spots for tours.
Recently, groups have been visiting the border checkpoints in Southeast Finland so frequently that staff are constantly busy. Visits to the border crossings and the border zone are only allowed with permission from the authorities.
Before the closure, these border checkpoints were the busiest on the eastern border.
Yle requested information from the Southeast Finland Border Guard about who visited the checkpoints in Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, and Imatra last year. Tours are also organized at the Border Guard headquarters in Imola, Imatra.
According to statistics, nearly 400 people visited the Southeast Finland border last year.
In addition, many national and international partners from government agencies, who are not included in the statistics provided by Yle, have visited the southeastern border.
Students Were Interested in Security Policy
The student organization of the Coalition Party “Tuhatkunta” visited the Nuijamaa checkpoint with a group of 40 people. Veeti Sistonenen, who participated in the trip, noted that the visit was interesting.
– We were informed about the situation at the border. We got to know the equipment of the border guards and learned how cooperation at the border works under special conditions.
The students were unable to access the new barrier on the eastern border, but they found the presentation about the work of the border guards very interesting.
– It would be curious to get right to the border, – noted Sistonenen.
Only a Few Can Access the Border
The border between Finland and Russia has been closed for more than two years. It was closed after hundreds of asylum seekers attempted to enter Finland due to a migrant influx organized by Russia.
Currently, fences and obstacles have been installed at the checkpoints, and control has become much stricter than in previous years.
Last year, the Border Guard conducted a tour for media representatives at the fence twice, but, for example, for this material, Yle did not receive permission to film at the Nuijamaa checkpoint.
Visitors were also subject to restrictions on photography.
– We were allowed to take a group photo on the street in front of the border post building, – said Veeti Sistonenen.
Interest Remains High
Antti Virta, Deputy Chief of the Southeast Finland Border Guard, noted that turning the eastern border into a tourist attraction is not advisable.
At the same time, interest in the southeastern border and the new barrier remains high.
– At least the beginning of the year has shown that interest is by no means waning. On the contrary, it remains very high, – says Antti Virta.
Ministers and MPs
Last year, many foreign guests also visited the border, including representatives of embassies and American congressmen.
– These are usually visits by high-ranking delegations or meetings with important partners of the Border Guard. We cannot influence such visits in any way, – noted Antti Virta, Deputy Chief of the Southeast Finland Border Guard.
Member of Parliament Antti Kaikkonen (Centrists) was one of those who visited Imatra.
– It was a visit of just over an hour. I received information about the security situation at the border. We also inspected the barrier and the construction site, – said Kaikkonen. Kaikkonen held the position of Minister of Defense in the previous government and participated in the implementation of the barrier construction project at the border. He was interested in how this project was progressing.
– I received practical information, and for me as a politician, it was a useful visit.
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