Border management in flux: Comparative lessons from the Norway-Russia and Finland-Russia borders (2015–2023)
This policy brief provides a comparative analysis of border management practices at the Norway-Russia and FinlandRussia borders, focusing on how these have evolved in response to key events between 2015 and 2023. Drawing on the 2015 “refugee crisis” and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the brief explores how both countries adapted their border control practices, policies, and relevant collaborations. As external borders of the Schengen Area and NATO members (with Finland joining in 2023), Norway and Finland present distinct approaches to border control, shaped by differing geopolitical contexts and local dynamics, including the fact that Finland’s border with Russia is also a European Union (EU) external border. The findings highlight lessons learned from the 2015 so-called “refugee crisis”, such as preparedness and inter-agency cooperation, and how these lessons have influenced current border security measures. Policy recommendations emphasize the importance of proactive local engagement, cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and flexibility in addressing evolving security challenges.
