In response to publicly reported information, a/s “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) categorically rejects allegations of delaying deforestation work on the Latvia–Belarus border. LVM carries out deforestation work with the highest sense of responsibility within the timeframes agreed with the State Provision Agency (NVA), fully understanding and acknowledging the importance of constructing a permanent fence for the security of the Latvian state.

LVM’s involvement in the removal of trees and shrubs related to border construction work is governed by the “Law on the Construction of External Land Border Infrastructure”. In accordance with said law, an agreement has been concluded between the NVA and LVM, which clarifies the cooperation between the two organisations.

The law and the agreement stipulate that the NVA must prepare and submit a work order to LVM for the felling of trees and shrubs in the territory required for the construction of the external border infrastructure. LVM can only begin deforestation work once a work order has been received, while the NVA can only issue such an order once it has secured the necessary land expropriation processes.

Deadlines for the execution of work orders are also determined by the “Law on the Construction of External Land Border Infrastructure”, specifically Article 5, Paragraph 4: “The state joint-stock company “Latvijas valsts meži”, upon receiving the work order mentioned in the third part of this article, shall, within two weeks or another period by agreement with the State Provision Agency, commence the felling of trees and shrubs, conduct an inventory thereof, remove timber products, and carry out alienation in the case mentioned in the second part of this article”.

LVM has not breached either the mutual agreement between LVM and the NVA or the provisions of the “Law on the Construction of External Land Border Infrastructure”. Work is being carried out in the shortest possible time, despite adverse weather conditions that significantly affect the state of roads and soil bearing capacity, as well as other circumstances complicating the work.