On 18-19 December 2025, Raimonds Čudars, Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development, will participate in the Baltic States' regional affairs ministers' meeting in Lithuania, where the following topics will be discussed recent developments in regional policy issues and priorities for the development of the eastern border regions within the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, including additional support for strengthening socio-economic resilience.
Raimonds Čudars, Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development: “Protecting our common interests and European security interests along the eastern border has become a necessity. As ministers responsible for regional policy, we are most aware of how important regional stability is for the overall development of our countries. At the same time, our regions are not just national territories – they also form part of the European Union's external border and thus contribute directly to European security and stability. Today's meeting provides a good opportunity to exchange experiences, harmonize views, and coordinate a common Baltic approach. This is particularly important in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, as we continue discussions at European Union level and defend the interests of our region.
The meeting will also highlight positive trends in Latvia's regional development, emphasizing the reduction of regional disparities and faster growth outside the Riga region, as well as highlighting measures already implemented and planned for business and infrastructure development in the regions, including investments in industrial parks, road infrastructure improvements and improved access to services, while also emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in regional development.
The territorial reform of local government has strengthened the capacity of local authorities and improved service delivery, complemented by targeted investments in mobility, particularly in regional and local road infrastructure, which is essential for economic development, everyday accessibility and regional resilience. Equally important is citizen participation: Latvia has introduced participatory budgeting as a mandatory procedure in all municipalities, thereby strengthening citizen involvement in local decision-making. Strong communities and civic participation are essential elements of both regional development and social resilience.