Kiisler and the Russian Minister of Regional Affairs discussed the future of cross-border cooperation projects

The Minister of Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler met with the Minister of Regional Affairs of the Russian Federation Viktor Basargin in Kaliningrad on 22-23 September. The ministers emphasised the importance of joint projects of the two countries and expressed willingness to continue such substantive cooperation also in the future.

“We discussed the status and financing of large-scale strategic joint projects,” said Kiisler and listed examples like the Narva-Invagorod border checkpoint, the condition of the ports and water treatment facilities on Lake Peipsi, and the Petseri-Värska Road. It was decided at the bilateral meeting that it is necessary to agree in the performance and financing of similar investments also in the coming years.

According to Kiisler, the Minister of Regional Affairs of the Russian Federation confirmed that the Russian state budget includes allocations for such projects also in the future. “Cross-border cooperation is definitely a priority for us as a border state, and concrete projects are the cornerstone of that cooperation,” said Kiisler.
“I am pleased that our cooperation with the Russian Minister of Regional Affairs has been very substantive and we met already for the third time in the past year,” stated Kiisler. At the February meeting in Tallinn, the ministries signed a cross-border cooperation memorandum.

The Estonian delegation to the International Cross-border Cooperation Conference held in Kaliningrad on 22-23 September was led by the Minister of Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler. In his speech given at the conference, he pointed out that transnational cooperation should be focussed more intensely on how to direct investments into priority areas. Estonia’s main interests in such cooperation are related to transport infrastructure projects, as well as solving the problems related to border-crossing and improving the environmental condition of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding areas.
In his speech, Kiisler also drew attention to the risks in the Baltic Sea region, which have been increasing since the expansion of the EU. These risks include the pollution of the environment, economic inequality and inadequate transport connections.