EC expresses support for EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

RIGA - The European Commission (EC) has adopted a comprehensive strategy to increase support for the eastern regions of the European Union (EU) bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, the EC representation in Latvia told LETA.

It emphasizes that strengthening the prosperity and resilience of these regions is an undeniable demonstration of EU solidarity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but it is also a strategic investment in European security, competitiveness, and future stability.

The EC notes that hybrid warfare, the use of migration as a weapon, economic and trade disruptions, and demographic decline have particularly affected several regions in nine Member States : Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Since Russia started the war against Ukraine, the EU has stepped up its political, technical, and financial support to its eastern regions to improve infrastructure, increase economic resilience, enhance defense capabilities, address energy and connectivity issues, and expand employment opportunities, according to the EC statement.

In addition, EU-Ukraine solidarity corridors have allowed trade to continue. However, as the economic and security situation in these regions continues to deteriorate due to the ongoing war, further EU support is needed, the EC acknowledges.

The EC Representation in Latvia emphasizes that today's statement confirms the EC's commitment to continue supporting the eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

The announcement outlines a series of measures through which the EU will help these regions address specific challenges in five priority areas: security and resilience, regional prosperity and growth, leveraging local advantages, connectivity, and people.