I International Forum of Border Regions was launched in Pskov on 20 November

The main aim of the Forum is to foster social-economic development of border regions by means of joint projects in the sphere of business, development of society and cooperation of authorities on all levels.
Representatives of the Ministries from Russian Federation, Estonia and Latvia, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, leaders of Hanseatic cities, representatives of local municipalities, public organizations and businesses took part in the Forum.

Forum participants used opportunity to see results of projects of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme, manufacturing factories and logistical terminals of Pskov region on 19 November 2015.


  


    


On 20 November in Pushkinskiy Drama Theatre the opening ceremony was held by the First Vice Governor of Pskov Region, Ms Vera Jemeljanova. In her welcome words she has accentuated on benefits of Hanseatic Days holding, which will offer unique opportunities for Pskov region development. Ms Vera Jemeljanova also noticed that in the frames of cross-border cooperation partnerships of Pskov region with European Union countries were strengthened. During the implementation of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme more than 16 million euros were invested in Pskov region, 25 projects implemented in different spheres. She has expressed her vision that this Forum will work for increasing of the partnerships and constructive decisions.


  


Welcome words were given by Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Dmitry Kurochkin, Head of the Pskov City, Mr. Ivan Tsetsersky, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pskov Region, Mr Sergey Jefimenko.

  

Within the plenary session devoted to the question of Hansa Days organization in Pskov, Head of Pskov City, Mr. Ivan Tsetsersky has said that Hanseatic Days will demonstrate the Pskov city from the focus of tourism, history and religion.


                      


The second plenary session devoted to cross-border cooperation was opened by the Vice Governor of Pskov Region, Mr. Sergey Pernikov. In his welcome words he has emphasized the symbolism of time coincidence of activities of cross-border cooperation Programmes Estonia-Russia and Latvia-Russia and Hanseatic Days in Pskov set on 2019. Mr Pernikov accented: “We consider to spread our cooperation not only on Baltic States but on other countries of the European Union”. 


                                    


Moderator of the session Mr Sergey Pernikov presented video clip on Pskov region achievements with the help of investments made within last years.
Within the plenary session on the questions of positive experience from cross-border cooperation key persons of CBC Programmes took part. Representative from the Secretariat of the Council of Baltic Sea States, Head of “Baltic 21 CBSS” Ms Krista Kampus has presented the opportunities of the CBSS Instrument for Russian partners. To the moderator question regarding application of the instrument to Pskov region development, Ms Krista Kampus answered that projects on development of small cities of Baltic Sea and projects on energy efficiency are most appropriate.


  


Head of Joint Technical Secretariat, Ms Unda Ozolina reported on the best achievements and results of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme implementation in the significant spheres like business support, logistic, tourism, ecology, energy efficiency, health and social aspects, sports, demonstrated in photo story.


  


Ms Unda Ozolina in her interview to Pskov mass media stressed that most investments were made into human resources and this is very important and needed in our daily life.


                      


Advisor from the Ministry of Finance, Ms Julia Koger presented future Estonia-Russia CBC Programme together with planned large infrastructure projects. 
Senior expert of the department for territorial cooperation, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Ms Anna Skabireva introduced with Latvia-Russia CBC Programme expressing hope to launch the Call of project proposals at the end of 2016.


  


In the plenary session the President of Pskov Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Vladimir Zubov and Vice Head of Pskov Customs, Mr Roman Babinov accented in their speeches on possibilities of business cooperation in border regions and optimization of conditions for goods transfer via customs border in Pskov region.


  


After the plenary sessions Forum participants continued the work in the format of thematic round tables discussing best practices of cross-border cooperation Programmes in Pskov region, perspectives in future CBC Programmes (Estonia-Russia and Latvia-Russia), aspects of business development in border regions, theoretical and practical issues on cooperation with investors, development of North-West Russia customs-logistic complex.


  


                   


Moderator of the round table on CBC Programmes as Development Instrument of Border Regions Ms Natalia Goleva, Head of Department for Foreign Economic Relations of State committee of Pskov region for economic development and investment policy, offered to the invited speakers to express their views on successful results achieved during projects implementation as well as perspectives of cooperation in future Programme period. In the round table discussions project partners of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme and representatives from Pieriga and Zemgale regions took active part sharing also ideas for future projects.


                           


  


State committee of Pskov region for economic development and investments policy has organized the First International Forum of Border Regions in Pskov.