Latvia is ready to participate in rebuilding of Ukraine - Pless

RIGA - Latvia is ready to participate in rebuilding of Ukraine, said Latvian Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Arturs Toms Pless (Development/For) at the  meeting of the Regional Development Policy Committee of the Organization for Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Pless said that Russia's war makes Ukraine live through turbulences and has made a pressure on Ukraine's economic growth, territorial cohesion and welfare of its citizens. "Ukraine has been Latvia's largest partner in development cooperation area, and we are ready to provide our assistance and expertise in the areas administered by the ministry," said Pelss.

Latvia has been providing assistance to Ukraine in all areas - political, military and humanitarian. Help is provided not only by the government, but also local governments, companies and NGOs. The assistance provided by local governments includes financial donations, medical equipment, transport vehicles, power generators and other help. Local governments play a significant role in providing support to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.

The minister said that Latvia supported OECD recommendations included in the report on rebuilding of Ukraine. The recommendations provide for the necessity to boost the capacity of local governments to develop and implement local reconstruction projects, ensure public engagement and supervision of territory development.