Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič and Austrian President Alexander Van Der Bellen visited the Padvarionys frontier station on Lithuania’s border with Belarus on Thursday, discussing migration pressures at the EU’s eastern frontier and shared security challenges.
“Our primary goal and top priority is to ensure the safety of Lithuania and the wider region. The State Border Guard Service is continuously modernising its technical infrastructure with advanced surveillance, monitoring, and border inspection systems,” Kondratovič said in a press statement.
“However, it is essential to keep investing in cutting-edge technology to improve border protection. We must be ready to respond to all threats, from potential provocations and hybrid attacks to illegal migration and smuggling. Cooperation and constant attention to border security remain key tasks,” he added.
The minister noted that this year has seen a rise in illegal crossings at the Belarusian border.
“During the first months of 2025, Lithuanian border guards prevented more than 1,200 people from crossing the border illegally. Since 2021, over 24,000 such incidents have been recorded,” the statement said.
According to officials, Lithuania’s entire external border is now monitored using advanced technology. Around 90% of border guards are equipped with NATO-standard weaponry, while patrol routes are undergoing active renovation.
