On 11 September 2025, the Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development, Raimonds Čudars, met with the Director of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), Marina Zanchi, and the agency’s management team to discuss priorities in digital development and health, the role of EU funding, cooperation opportunities, as well as to review projects that contribute to public safety, health, and sustainable development.
Minister Raimonds Čudars:
“HaDEA’s strategic visit to Latvia provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with national institutions and promote knowledge exchange, so that projects implemented with the support of the European Union deliver maximum added value to society. This means that, as a result of this cooperation, people in their daily lives will have access to more affordable and higher-quality healthcare services, a safer digital environment, more convenient national and municipal e-services, as well as new opportunities to learn and improve skills. It was both an opportunity to present our achievements and to strengthen long-term cooperation that will help Latvia make more effective use of EU support instruments in the fields of digital transformation and health.”
This visit was an important step in Latvia’s progress towards closer cooperation with the European Commission and its agencies. It created an opportunity to improve Latvia’s competitiveness in EU project competitions, establish direct dialogue with HaDEA leadership on priorities and support mechanisms, and strengthen Latvia’s visibility at the European level as a developer of innovation and digital solutions.
EU centralised programmes were a crucial instrument for Latvia’s digital transformation and the modernisation of healthcare. With their support, Latvia strengthened digital infrastructure (CEF Digital), introduced new technologies and artificial intelligence solutions (Digital Europe Programme), improved access to healthcare (EU4Health), as well as fostered scientific and innovation cooperation and synergies (Horizon Europe).
The visit was also attended by Deputy State Secretary for Digital Transformation, Gatis Ozols, as well as representatives from Riga City Council, the Latvian Council of Science, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Transport.