From July 1 to 4, representatives of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) visited Latvia to discuss the development needs and future opportunities of Latvia's border regions together with The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia (MSARD), the Latgale Planning Region (LPR), and local governments in Latgale.
Meeting at the Ministry of Finance: EU Funds and Security Priorities
The visit began with a meeting at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia, where the following key topics were discussed:
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Progress in the implementation of EU funds, emphasizing the stable pace of investment expected to continue through 2025;
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Mid-term revisions, with significant reallocations focusing on national security—including cybersecurity, military mobility, energy independence, civil protection, and regional resilience;
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Framework for the next EU programming period, outlining national investment priorities and the most effective support mechanisms.
Field Visit to Latgale: Understanding Local Challenges First-Hand
The EC delegation traveled to Latgale to gain on-the-ground insight into the challenges faced by border municipalities, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and education sector representatives.
Līvāni as an Example of Successful EU Fund Use
The visit began in Līvāni Municipality. Together with LPR, MSARD, and local representatives, the delegation visited Ceram Optec Ltd., a high-tech company operating in the Latgale Special Economic Zone and one of the world's leading producers of optical fiber glass technologies. Their products are used in medicine, mechanical engineering, chip manufacturing, bioreactors, laser metal cutting, astronomy, and aviation, and are sold in over 100 countries.
The delegation also visited the Līvāni Glass and Craft Center, one of the first sites in the region renovated using Interreg project funds. Here, delegates explored the "Līvāni Glass Museum" exhibition and, in a more informal setting, discussed with municipal representatives the positive impact of EU funding on local development over the past decade.
DG REGIO representative Linda Sproģe praised the municipality’s achievements:
"We are very glad to be here in Latgale with DG REGIO colleagues. We came to see the current situation and to identify potential solutions for Latgale’s challenges. I wish the people of Latgale prosperity, safety, and continued development."
Key Discussion: Border Region Development Challenges and Needs
On July 2, the delegation took part in a roundtable discussion at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils, focused on the challenges, needs, and opportunities for the future development of Latvia's EU external border areas.
The event was moderated by Iveta Maļina-Tabūne, Head of LPR Administration and Manager of the Latgale SEZ, who highlighted the strategic importance of the meeting and the need for targeted EU support for Latvia’s eastern border regions.
Daugavpils City Mayor Andrejs Elksniņš opened the event by thanking the EC representatives for their attention to the region and emphasized that Latvia’s border areas must be recognized as a special development zone at the European level.
Slawomir Tokarski, DG REGIO Director for European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions, Interreg and Programme Implementation, addressed the audience:
"I am honored to visit Latgale and to meet residents of this border region in person. We are now at a key stage in shaping the EU’s seven-year budget. It is essential to hear insights from professionals working in border areas to ensure that our instruments respond effectively to geopolitical challenges."
Sergejs Maksimovs, Chair of the LPR Development Council, emphasized the importance of seeing real project outcomes firsthand:
"Today, EC representatives met with local entrepreneurs and municipalities to discuss ways to strengthen border economies. Special attention was paid to businesses operating in the Latgale and Rēzekne SEZs. The delegation saw how tailor-made programs for Latgale are being implemented to drive economic growth and improve living conditions."
Merike Niitepold, Head of the Managing Authority of the INTERREG Central Baltic Programme, summarized:
"Today we heard valuable insights from practitioners on the region’s needs and challenges. Much has already been done, and the Central Baltic Programme will continue to support cooperation projects in the future."
Jevgeņija Butņicka, Director of the Sustainable Development Planning Department at MSARD, noted:
"This discussion was extremely valuable for identifying regional needs and priorities in education, health, business development, and mobility, while also reflecting on past project experiences."
Business Development as a Regional Priority
One of the visit’s key objectives was to meet with local businesses and better understand the challenges they face daily.
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Gatis Vorošens, representing Weld Pro Ltd. (Augšdaugava Municipality), highlighted the urgent need to improve infrastructure and roads, as well as the importance of attracting investment.
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Toms Andersons, CEO of Nexis Fibers and representative of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Latgale, stressed the role of SEZs in investor attraction and called for stronger ties between businesses and educational institutions.
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Gints Jačuks from LEAX Rēzekne RSEZ Ltd. emphasized that competitiveness is the central factor for local producers and that issues such as geopolitical risks, infrastructure, and labor shortages must be addressed through EU support instruments.
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Border Reality and Strategic Initiatives
Following the discussions in Daugavpils, the EC delegation visited the Vientuļi Border Crossing Point in Vecumi Parish, Balvi Municipality. There, delegates examined previously implemented Interreg civil security projects and discussed future development plans.
The visit continued to the Balvi Municipality Museum, where presentations were held on Interreg projects in business development, employment, and education in the Latgale region.
In conclusion, the delegation visited Kuprava Industry Ltd., a Latgale SEZ company in the village of Kuprava, Balvi Municipality. The company has developed the Sauna LAB brand, producing premium wooden frame saunas and modular buildings that combine natural materials with modern technology. The products are exported to over 20 EEA countries and have helped revitalize this rural border area.
Key Conclusions: Targeted and Flexible Support for the Border Region Is Needed
The European Commission’s dynamic two-day visit to Latgale demonstrated its strong commitment to the development of the region. Meetings with representatives from local authorities, businesses, educational institutions, and NGOs highlighted the need for a tailor-made support mechanism for EU border regions. The value of the Interreg programmes—which have enabled the development of outstanding projects in infrastructure, culture, heritage, and social services—was widely acknowledged. Discussions emphasized that cross-border cooperation instruments must continue to address the real needs of local communities, including support for human capital, infrastructure, security, and economic resilience.
To effectively respond to challenges arising from geopolitical risks and to close the development gap, Latgale—as the EU’s eastern border region—requires a dedicated, targeted programme with earmarked funding under the EU’s investment policy. Such a programme must be capable of responding urgently and flexibly to key challenges such as boosting economic activity, upgrading infrastructure, improving access to skilled labour, and strengthening public safety and regional resilience.
Gratitude for Support and Cooperation
The Latgale Planning Region expresses its sincere thanks to the European Commission delegation for accepting the invitation to visit Latgale, to MSARD, Daugavpils City, Balvi and Līvāni municipalities for their support in organizing the visit, and to all discussion participants for sharing their insights and visions for the region’s future development.
