Over 17 million euro planned for cooperation of Lithuanian border regions with Kaliningrad

  • 2017-01-14
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – A tender should be called in mid-2017 where Lithuanian and Kaliningrad border regions would be eligible for support of cooperation projects.

The Lithuanian Interior Ministry said over 17 million euros in European Union (EU) support are envisaged for implementation of the program, with additional 8.5 million euros in money of the Russian Federation envisaged in the budget of the project. The program envisages financing up to 90 percent of eligible project costs.

"The priority of the program is on application and renovation of historic and natural heritage, promotion of cultural ties and tourism development projects. It also supports social inclusion and border region cooperation development, improvement of health, social and education services and promotion community initiatives. Financing will also be provided to projects that will boost cooperation among state government institutions, empower local communities and ensure efficient crossing of borders," said the ministry.

The European Commission last December approved documents on implementation of the 2014-2020 program of Lithuanian-Russian cross-border cooperation.

The program stipulates support and expansion of cross-border cooperation between Lithuanian and Russian border regions to continue the started cooperation under similar programs of Lithuanian, Polish and Russian border regions.