Hanno Pevkur is satisfied with last year's activities. The design and solutions for bunkers have been discussed. However, he would like to see the pace accelerated. He noted that government agencies face challenges.
Pevkur says a solution needs to be found with the police and border guard authorities. This would help build bunkers and anti-tank ditches near the border zone. He added that the funds have already been planned and decisions made.
The Defense Minister explained that Europe will provide financial aid for the protection of the eastern border. He noted that construction could become more complicated if private land needs to be purchased. This could delay the schedule.
Pevkur stated that the risks are recognized and are being addressed. He hopes for a positive resolution. He emphasized that this year is the most important for establishing the defense line.
The chairman of the Riigikogu National Defense Committee, Kalev Stoicescu, said he would have preferred a faster construction process. He mentioned that the issues are related to private lands that need to be acquired.
Stoicescu stated that such a situation could not have been foreseen in the 1990s. He noted that landowners need to be heard and consulted with. He hopes that the construction will proceed at the planned pace.
On Monday, the Minister of Defense and the National Defense Committee presented the current status of the Baltic Defense Line project. The first bunkers have been installed in Võrumaa, and a 500-meter-long anti-tank ditch has been constructed.
Kristjan Halg said that numerous storage areas have been assembled. The necessary equipment has been purchased and is located in pre-storage areas. Procurements have been made both for materials and land use.