Finland demands to name the exact criteria for opening the border with Russia

The Alexander Society (Aleksanterinliitto) in Finland, which defends the interests of Russians and Russian-speaking Finns, demanded that local authorities name the exact criteria for opening the border with Russia. This is stated in a letter sent to the Finnish Foreign Ministry, posted on the society's website.

"We demand to announce the exact criteria for opening the border, as well as the source of data on which these criteria will be determined. In addition, we ask you to provide a plan for the preparation of state structures for the practical application of the law on expulsion," the letter said, quoted by RIA Novosti.

Finnish officials have repeatedly stated that the border is closed due to "directed migration" and that the adoption of the law on expulsion will help open it to legal travelers, the letter says.

"Nevertheless, the government and The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not give any exact answer on the timing of the opening of the checkpoint. At the same time, neither the information on the basis of which conclusions are drawn that "it is not yet time," nor the criteria by which the right time will be determined, is also not published," the organization stressed.

Recall, the law on the expulsion of refugees on the border with Russia entered into force on July 22 this year. Now the Finnish government, in agreement with the President, can, if necessary, restrict the reception of refugees on a certain part of the border. In practice, it has not yet been applied.

The border between Finland and Russia is closed by decision of the Finnish side until further notice.