At the meeting of the Latvian-Lithuanian Intergovernmental Commission for Cross-Border Cooperation, which was held on 18 October, 2017, the issues of bilateral co-operation between the two countries in the areas of transport, state border maintenance, health care, employment and climate change were discussed in Kroņauce, Tērvete region, Latvia. On behalf of Latvia, the Intergovernmental Commission was chaired by Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Jānis Eglīts, from Lithuania – Lithuanian deputy Interior Minister Giedrius Surplys.

Representatives from ministries of the two countries, representatives of planning regions and heads of local governments also participated in the meeting.

The deputy head of the Latvia-Lithuania programme Iruma Kravale informed participants about the progress of the implementation of the Programme, supported projects and expected achievements.  During discussions on the reconstruction of border roads, the participants were informed about the Programme’s direct award project “Easycrossing” with 9 million euro ERDF available for the reconstruction of totally 46 km on three cross border road sections Bauska – Žeimelis, Jēkabpils – Pandėlys and Grobiņa – Mažeikiai.

Participants were also briefed about the joint plans of the centenary celebrations of both countries in 2018.