European Commission Delegation to Visit Vidzeme to Discuss Development Needs and Security

Strategic Insights -

A high-level delegation from the European Commission will visit the Vidzeme Planning Region in Latvia on July 3, 2025, as part of a three-day program in the country. The delegation will be led by representatives from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), including Director Slawomir Tokarski, Head of the Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme Unit Agnes Monfret, and other officials. The visit aims to discuss the development needs and security challenges faced by the European Union's external border territories, with a focus on the Vidzeme region's specific challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • 8 representatives of the European Commission, as well as 3 representatives of the secretariats of European Union cross-border cooperation programs, will visit Latvia during the meeting.
  • The delegation will be introduced to the "Interreg" cross-border programme projects implemented in the Vidzeme planning region, which aim to address challenges such as public transport accessibility and business development.
  • The recommendations for improving the programs will be presented to support the needs of the border region more effectively, developed based on the practical experience of the region and the growing security risks exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
  • The Vidzeme planning region and its municipalities advocate a broader view of the Eastern border area in the context of the European Union, including the rest of the Vidzeme planning region, due to its geographical proximity to the EU external border and strategic importance as a potential buffer zone in crisis situations.
  • Key representatives from local governments, businesses, the non-governmental sector, academia, and the military will participate in the discussion, including Inese Suija-Markova, Deputy Chairwoman of the Vidzeme Planning Region Development Council, and Artis Pabriks, representing the Northern European Policy Center.
  • The meeting will cover practical challenges faced by border residents, such as public transport accessibility, business development, population outflow to cities, and strengthening societal resilience in the border region.

Statistics:

  • The Vidzeme Planning Region will be represented by 3 members: Guna Kalnina-Priede (Head of Administration), Santa Vitola (Head of the Vidzeme Open Innovation Center), and Ieva Kalnina (Head of the Territorial Planning Department).
  • The non-governmental organization sector will be represented by 2 representatives: Santa Harjo-Ozolina (association "Aluksne lauku partneriba") and Asnate Ziemele (President of the Latvian Rural Tourism Association "Lauku celotajs").
  • 8 entrepreneurs will also participate in the discussion, including Andis Skele ("Baltic Block" SIA) and Ingars Udris ("CEWOOD" SIA).

Sources:

  • Smiltene Municipality news release: https://www.smiltenesnovads.lv/lv