Transport Ministry's priorities for EU funds investment are sustainable mobility, integration in European transport network and digital connectivity

RIGA - The Transport Ministry's priorities in the EU funds planning period 2021-2017 are sustainable mobility, integration in the European transport network and digital connectivity, LETA learned from the ministry.

The financing available for development of the transport sector in the current planning period is EUR 903.51 million. EUR 870.60 million are available for projects in the transport sector and EUR 32.91 million for projects in the communications sector. The EU investments in the transport and communications sector will be directed towards three goals - Smarter Europe, Greener Europe and Connected Europe.

Transport Ministry's deputy state secretary Ligita Austrupe said that the ministry's priorities in the current planning period are transition to sustainable and smart mobility, development of sustainable TEN-T infrastructure and ensuring digital connectivity.

"The EU climate and digitalization goals are binding for Latvia, while problems that should be solved in the transport sector is reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, huge dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring environmentally friendly electric charging, improvement of internal and external connectivity and security. Even though the situation in Latvia is gradually improving, internet coverage and its quality in rural territories still needs improvement," said Austrupe.

In total, in the 2021-2027 planning period EUR 4.7 billion are available from the EU funds for Latvia. These funds will be spend on the six main goals - Smarter Europe, Greener Europe, Connected Europe, Inclusive Europe, Social Europe and Sustainable Europe.