EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

Nils Usakovs.

Usakovs informed Tarlos about the priorities in the Riga budget and latest developments in the city, emphasizing the budget's social security component and work on the city's tourism policy.

Tarlos, on the other hand, said that renovation of Budapest's housing was one of the key problems at the moment, as the Hungarian government provides no money for tackling the issue.

A new underground line is being constructed in Budapest at the moment, however, the company implementing the project is experiencing financial problems, which is why the city is concerned about the future of the project.

As for the development of tourism policy, this is one of Budapest's priorities, said Tarlos. As for problems in this regard, he mentioned a lack of parking lots for tourist buses, control over the quality of guides' services, as well as bringing order to the city's public areas.

Usakovs said that both cities have similar problems, which is why experience exchange would be very useful. During the visit, the Riga delegation also became acquainted with Budapest's experience of organizing kindergartens and nursery schools.

Usakovs visited Bulgaria on Monday, May 16, where he, together with national airline airBaltic Vice-President Grigorijs Pomerancevs, opened direct Riga-Budapest flights.