RIGA, Nov 2 (LETA) - The government on Wednesday supported extending state of emergency in municipalities bordering Belarus until February 10, 2023.

As reported, considering the increased illegal immigration pressure from Belarus, the Latvian government in August 2021 declared a state of emergency in the municipalities of Ludza, Kraslava and Augsdaugava, as well as in Daugavpils. At present, the state of emergency there has been extended until November 10. The Interior Ministry has proposed that the government extend the state of emergency until February 10, 2023.

The Justice Ministry, however, did not support the proposal of the Interior Ministry. The Justice Ministry believes there is no legal ground to extend the state of emergency. The state of emergency has been in force for more than a year, but the purpose of the bill is not to allow the state of emergency to become permanent.

A year has been a sufficient period of time to introduce legislative amendments of the current legislation does not allow to ensure security of the state border and prevent illegal migration, the Justice Ministry said.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said that the Justice Ministry's objections are understandable, therefore the next interior minister will be given the task to amend legislation so that the state of emergency should not be applied.

The Interior Ministry noted that since August 10, 2021, 7,562 people have been deterred from illegally crossing the border.