On Friday, 28 November, a meeting of the Latvia–Lithuania Intergovernmental Commission for the Promotion of Cross-Border Cooperation will take place in Panevėžys, Lithuania.
During the meeting, the parties will discuss current bilateral cooperation matters, including action in the context of the migration crisis and the coordination of civil protection, the reinstatement of temporary border control and the coordination of unmanned aircraft flights, the new entry requirements for third-country nationals, as well as the development of transport and infrastructure in border areas. The agenda also includes the preparedness of the cultural sector for crisis situations and the strengthening of resilience, connectivity, and territorial cohesion in border regions.
The meeting will also provide information on the implementation status of the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027 and the BRIDGEforEU initiative, which promotes cooperation and sustainable development in cross-border regions.
The Intergovernmental Commission plays an important role among the various cooperation formats between the two countries, ensuring dialogue between Latvian and Lithuanian state institutions and the local governments of border regions, and serving as an effective mechanism for resolving legal and administrative obstacles in these areas.
The meeting will be chaired by Vaidotas Jakštas, Vice Minister of the Interior of Lithuania. The Commission includes experts from sectoral ministries of both countries, representatives of planning regions, and local government leaders.
The previous meeting of the Latvia–Lithuania Intergovernmental Commission took place in 2024 in Kuldīga, Latvia.