RIGA, Sept 14 (LETA) - The pressure of illegal migration on the Latvian-Belarusian border remains at a moderate level, State Border Guard chief Juris Martukans told the press on Wednesday.

In order to deter the hybrid attack on the Latvian border by the Belarusian regime, using illegal migrants, about 60-kilometer long temporary fence has been built on the border, ensuring that the illegal migrants cannot get into Latvia and the EU.

When choosing the permanent fence, the Border Guard followed experience of Lithuania and Poland, selecting the most optimal solution and lowest construction prices.

"At present the illegal migrant flow from Belarus remains at a moderate level. On average, some 60-80 illegal migrants are deterred a week.  After the fence project is completed, we assume that it will physically ensure deterrence of illegal migrants," said Martukans.

In late August, construction works on the permanent fence on the Latvian-Belarusian border were started. The Interior Ministry and Valsts Nekustamie Ipasumi (VNI) state property manager  made a visit to the site today.

Infrastructure of 149.7 kilometers is planned at the border, of which a total of approximately 82 kilometers must be deforested. A fence is to be built in all that stretch of the border. Four bridges have been built across rivers. It is also planned to build six towers, patrol roads, walkways, and other necessary infrastructure.

The construction of infrastructure on the Latvian–Belarusian border is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2024 and the construction of the fence by the end of February 2024.