Estonia, Good for Business, Investments, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Transport

Valga railway station in 2013.

Representatives of the two countries, who met at the Valga railway station on Saturday, agreed that the most important thing is to focus on business development. The location for the meeting – Valga Railway Station – is symbolic because it is the two states' border station, and a part of the building was renovated for the Estonian-Latvian programme money.

Latvian Environment and Regional Development Ministry Developer Department Head Iruma Kravale expressed satisfaction that many Latvian towns and municipalities have a good cooperation with Estonians, especially in business development.

During the seven years, 500 rescue workers were trained, roads by the border were renovated and tele-medicine centre between the two countries' hospitals was developed. The project brought together classical music radio stations and urban planners of the two states.

Much attention has been focused on development of border areas. Mayor of Valga Kalev Härk stressed that the most important thing is the development of the centre of Valga-Valka. A new investment wants to make the two towns into one whole in economic terms. "This means business development, better labour movement and other cross-border cooperation," said Härk.

In seven years, nearly 40 mln euros was invested in the cooperation between the two countries and the budget of the next seven years is of same size.

Head of the Estonian-Latvian Programme Secretariat Peeter Unt said that one area is business development, as well as the development of small ports, and better labour movement. "So that Estonians would work more in Latvia and vice versa, then there is environmental awareness and the development of tourism based on cultural and natural heritage," said Unt.