According to a press release by the Government Office, the decision is based on the academy’s interests as well as the needs of Ida-Viru County and its residents, and a good deal for all involved parties. The college is to be completed in 2019.

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) said that it was important to the government that not only national security benefitted from the college, but also the local community.

“Establishing the Narva college will send a positive signal that the government values the development of Ida-Viru County, and considers its living environment as important as any other in Estonia,” Ratas added.

“The government’s decision is principal to increasing the presence of the Estonian state in the region,” Justice Minister Urmas Reinsalu (IRL) said, adding that in two years, around 150 cadets and police officers would be training in Narva at any given time.

According to Interior Minister Andres Anvelt (SDE), the Narva college will support the academy’s present development goals by providing cadets and officials with new training and practice opportunities, and by improving national defense studies in the high schools of Ida-Viru County.

“At the same time today’s decision takes the needs of the Police and Border Guard Board into account, which are increasing rapid reaction capability, creating new training opportunities, and improving the living conditions of border guards,” Anvelt said.

The college would offer training facilities for up to 400 cadets. Accommodation would be offered to up to 160 people, including cadets and border guards, the government statement read.