Latvia’s ties with Pskov strengthen

RIGA - The signed agreement on economic cooperation between the Latvian Economy Ministry and Russia’s Pskov Region is a formal, but important step in the development of cooperation, and is a great start for more specific work in the future, Economy Minister Artis Kampars (New Era) said on Sept. 16 after the signing of the agreement, reports Nozare.lv. Kampars added that this agreement officially registers the close cooperation between Latvia and Pskov Region that has been taking place the past several years.

“Economic cooperation will be beneficial for both sides; furthermore, it is important to have direct agreements with Russia’s regions. Today’s agreement opens the door for wider cooperation in areas such as business and culture,” Kampars emphasized.

The minister added that, at the moment, 70 percent of direct foreign investment in Pskov Region comes from Latvia. “There are already many companies in Pskov Region owned by Latvian business people,” Kampars explained.
The governor of Pskov Region, Andrei Turchak, said after the signing that a new era in cooperation between Latvia and Pskov Region has started. “In the near future, we will begin implementing specific projects, which were discussed during this past June’s Latvia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Pskov,” Turchak said.

A large delegation of Riga City Council officials and businessmen will soon make a trip to Pskov Region, where talks will include matters such as the renewal of airBaltic flights between Riga and Pskov, said Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs following a meeting with Turchak. He added that Riga had already been able to improve its relations with other parts of the Russian Federation - Moscow and St. Petersburg - and that now it was time to improve relations with Pskov Region.

As Turchak noted, Pskov Region is the only part of Russia which has a border with Latvia. “We are Latvia’s gateway to Russia, and we have many cooperation projects, for example tourism, public transport, engineering and communications reconstruction, border infrastructure, customs, transport and logistics, and other areas,” added the governor.
The Russian politician also indicated that the products offered by the brand ‘Rigas marka’ were already popular in Pskov, and that Latvian companies had a good opportunity to distribute their products further into other Russian regions. “I hope that soon we will also open a Pskov Trading House in Riga,” said Turchak.