RIGA, Jan 15 (LETA) - President Edgars Rinkevics hopes that the plan to strengthen Latvia's eastern border areas will bring positive results and give impetus to the development of these territories.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) on Wednesday, the President at a press conference praised the plan adopted by the Government for the economic growth and security strengthening of Latvia's eastern border area, which Rinkevics has discussed several times with the Prime Minister, responsible ministers and the Latgale sub-committee of the Saeima.

He pointed out that the plan shows the measures to be taken to improve security on the eastern border, and that this is happening in a context of limited economic resources. The President expressed the hope that the implementation of the plan would give impetus to the development of Latvia's eastern border area.

"[I have] heard different opinions [about the plan]. I think that the plan reflects a certain reality. It is also important to implement the plan, because we know how to write papers, but sometimes the implementation is weak. I wish the responsible ministries and border municipalities good cooperation," the President said at the press conference.

As reported, the government on Tuesday endorsed an Action Plan for the economic growth and security of the Eastern Border Region from 2025 to 2027, which will cost more than EUR 640 million.

The plan identifies the main challenges that need to be tackled in the eastern border area as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine. These challenges are common to countries bordering with Russia and Belarus in the EU and include the worsening of the already unfavorable economic situation, difficulties in maintaining business activity, for instance, small and medium-sized enterprises.

The negative impact on citizens' sense of security and increased social tensions have been cited as challenges, hence the need to strengthen societal resilience and preparedness.

Negative impacts on potential investment flows, disrupted transport corridors, and halted tourist flows were also mentioned in the action plan.

The measures included in the plan are aimed at strengthening security, economic development and human resources development.

The plan includes 59 measures and activities, complementing existing measures and interventions included in other national planning documents. Of these, 58 measures have a total financial allocation of EUR 644,598,937.