ST.PETERSBURG. Jan 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Tougher controls will not be imposed at checkpoints on the Russian-Finnish border during the St. Petersburg anniversary celebrations from late May to early June, Federal Border Guard Service Director Konstantin Totsky told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday while visiting the city.
"The only exception is the Pulkovo airport, its working mode will change; it will be possible to fly to St. Petersburg if you are a governmental delegation member in late May," Totsky said.
The number of violations on this border section is the lowest in Russia, but the cargo volume and number of tourists is the highest.
"The situation here is normal and stable. The number of detentions of border violators fell by 30% last year. This evidences the reliability of protection of Russia's northwestern borders," Totsky said at the Brusnichnoye checkpoint on the Russian-Finnish border on Thursday.
In accordance with a recent decision Russian border guard officers will undergo probation at Finnish checkpoints starting from 2003. Finnish border guards will do the same at Russian checkpoints.