Members of the Parliaments of Estonia and Latvia discuss cross-border connections in Pärnu today

The delegations of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu of Estonia and the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Estonia of the Saeima of Latvia meet in Pärnu, Estonia, today to discuss improving rail and road connections between Estonia and Latvia.

Chairman of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali said that completion of the construction of Rail Baltic and Via Baltica had been delayed for an unacceptably long time. “The construction of Rail Baltic and Via Baltica is not only important from the point of view of tourism, regional development and freight transport, it also plays a crucial role in the military mobility of the European Union as well as the security of the Baltic States. Rail Baltic is the most important infrastructure project in our region and an absolute priority for the European Union,” he underlined.

Among other things, the parliamentary friendship groups will discuss long-term financing models for rail and road connections, the enhancing of cross-border cooperation, and the modernising of roads and connecting them with the local road network.

The members of the parliaments of the two countries will also get an overview of local tourism. Notably, there has been a shift in tourism in the region – families from the Baltic States are spending more time and money in Pärnu region than Finns.

The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and is held at Pärnu City Government. In addition to the Chair of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group Peeter Tali, the Riigikogu delegation includes members of the group Anti Poolamets and Annely Akkermann. They are accompanied by Ambassador of Estonia to Latvia Eerik Marmei.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
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