Komsomolskaya Pravda: “Government set to fight border queues”
In Soviet times, it was common to hear that the border was locked. Today, one is more likely to hear that there is a queue at the border. But the doorway to Russia needs to be modern and comfortable. This is the idea behind a state border development concept for 2012-2017 that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin discussed with officials on Tuesday in Sochi.
"In 2000, we assessed the operation of the border infrastructure in the most important areas, including the Caucasus," Putin said. "At that time, I wasn't expecting to see border guards living for over ten years in dugouts. They literally lived inside pits covered with boards, and guarded the border under those conditions for more than ten years," Putin stressed.
In all, 110 billion roubles have been invested in the border infrastructure since 2004, and 28 new border checkpoints have been set up in the past three years.
"This has made it possible to facilitate better and faster control at many airports," Putin said. "Nevertheless, traffic jams and queues are formed at the border all the time. This leads to direct economic losses and it's a real hassle for people. We need to establish order here as soon as possible and lay the groundwork for the future," Putin said.
Another 19 border checkpoints will open before the year is out. All of them should feature up-to-date equipment from the outset. The Prime Minister said this will make it possible to more effectively combat terrorism, illegal migration and drug trafficking.
"At the same time, the border should be convenient and open for law-abiding people, so as not to impede normal business and the realisation of Russia's huge transit potential," the Prime Minister said.
Putin made a separate request to expand the Arctic border infrastructure in line with security interests and in order to protect natural resources.
"In all, there are plans to spend about 134 billion roubles on upgrading the national border infrastructure in the next nine years," Putin concluded.
By Nigina Beroyeva
