Estonia plans to further tighten rules for crossing border with Russia

TALLINN. July 19 (Interfax) - The Estonian Finance Ministry has submitted its proposals regarding further steps to tighten the procedure for crossing the border with Russia to the government.

"Passage across the border using automobile border crossings in the southeast of Estonia and cargo transportation will be allowed only during daytime. There is also a proposal to close the Luhamaa border crossing to pedestrian traffic," the ministry's press service said on Friday.

According to the plan, the border crossing in Koidula (Kunichina Gora on the Russian side of the border) will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with customs clearance available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The changes will not apply to the railway crossing point in Koidula.

The border crossing in Luhamaa (Shumilkino on the Russian side of the border) will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., but will be closed to all pedestrian traffic.

The ministry explained these measures in terms of the need to tighten control over sanctioned goods and to ensure travel safety.

"The overhaul of the rules for the checkpoints' operations stems from the principle endorsed by the Estonian government in April 2022 that economic relations with Russia should be minimized and is prompted by the sanctions policy adopted in the past year," Estonian Finance Minister Mart Vorklaev said.

Estonia has three overland passenger border crossings. The Estonian government has already restricted the opening hours of the Narva-Ivangorod checkpoint, the most used one, to daytime only, leading to long queues at the border.

The Koidula and Luhamaa crossings are fully operational for now.