2014-2020

Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus 2014-2020 (further – the Programme) operates under the framework of the European Neighborhood Instrument, financed by the European Union.

The legal framework of the Programme constitutes the following documents:

Regulation (EU) No 232/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI Regulation);

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 897/2014 of 18 August 2014 laying down specific provisions for the implementation of cross-border cooperation programmes financed under Regulation (EU) No 232/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument (IR);

Programming document for EU support to ENI Cross-Border Cooperation (2014-2020);

Regulation (EU) No 236/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 laying down common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union’s instruments for financing external action;

Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.

The aim of the Programme is to strengthen relations, raise capacities and share experience among people and organisations from Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus through implementation of joined projects aimed at increasing the overall quality of life in the border regions.

The area of the Programme covers the following regions:

Latvia: Latgale region, Zemgale region (as adjoining)

Lithuania: Utena county, Vilnius county, Alytus county, Kaunas county (as adjoining), Panevezys county (as adjoining)

Belarus: Vitebsk oblast, Grodno oblast, Mogilev oblast (as adjoining), Minsk oblast (as adjoining), Minsk city (as adjoining)

The total budget of the Programme: 81,4 mln. EUR

The obligatory co-financing of at least 10% of the grant cost for the approved project implementation in the framework of the projects financed by the Programme.

Programme thematic objectives:

1. Promotion of social inclusion and fight against poverty:

1.1 Enhancing the access to social and other services for vulnerable groups.

1.2 Stimulating employment through entrepreneurship and innovations.

2. Support to local and regional good governance:

2.1 Increasing capacity of local and regional authorities to tackle common challenges.

2.2 Strengthening society.

3. Promotion of local culture and preservation of historical heritage:

3.1 Promoting and preserving cultural and historical heritage and traditional skills.

4. Promotion of border management and border security:

4.1 Enhancing border-crossing efficiency.

Programme official website: https://www.eni-cbc.eu/llb/ru

Customs authorities implement the following projects within the Programme:

“Modernization of Urbany-Silene border crossing point (Latvia - Belarus)” (large infrastructure project). The contribution of the European Union will be about 3.5 mln. EUR for the Belarusian side and about 1.07 mln. EUR for the Latvian side. Within the project it is planned to provide the construction of an X-ray scanning system is planned at the border crossing point “Urbany”, as well as the reconstruction and expansion of the road section and the creation of additional lanes with the allocation of another lane for vehicles in each direction (currently two lanes in each direction are allocated) between the border crossing points "Silene" and "Urbany”, including the reconstruction of engineering communications and the installation of separate regulating fences in both directions; the creation of lanes for foot crossing organization through the state border in both directions and the protection of the lane for the separation of imports and exports, as well as the construction of a fence surrounding the territory. Improvement of the transport management infrastructure (stopping devices for vehicles, electric boards, etc.) to facilitate the management of traffic flows is also foreseen by the project. Project partners: Vitebsk Custom House, SJSC “State Real Estate” (Latvian Republic).

“Improvement of Infrastructure of Border Crossing Point “Paternieki” (the Republic of Latvia) and “Grigorovshchina” (the Republic of Belarus)” (large infrastructure project). The contribution of the European Union will be about 0.6 mln. EUR for the Belarusian side and about 2.93 mln. EUR for the Latvian side. The project includes measures for the reconstruction of the road section between the border crossing point "Paternieki". It is planned to expand the road and create additional traffic lanes with the allocation of one additional lane for vehicles in each direction (currently two lanes in each direction are allocated), commission other infrastructure, including engineering communications, regulating fences for the pedestrian crossing organization through the state border in both directions. It is also planned to create fences and transport management infrastructure, to reconstruct a road section near the border crossing point “Grigorovshchina” by expanding the passageway and creating additional traffic lanes, as well as creating other necessary infrastructure, passes, fences, etc. Project partners: Vitebsk Custom House, SJSC “State Real Estate” (Latvian Republic), Kraslava municipality (Latvian Republic).

“Modernization of Medininkai Border Crossing Point” (large infrastructure project). The project implemented by the Directorate of Border Crossing Infrastructure under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania together with the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus. The contribution of the European Union for the Republic of Lithuania is 2.5 mln. EUR, Republic of Belarus has non-financial contribution. As a result of the Project, the road section between the border crossing points “Kamenny Log” and “Medininkai” will be expanded by increasing the number of lanes in both directions, pedestrian paths are built. As a result of the project implementation the main transport infrastructure at the border crossing point will be improved, which will lead to waiting time reduction for transport, security ensuring for the people crossing the border in both directions (Belarus – Lithuania, Lithuania – Belarus). It is planned to conduct 5 training sessions on the exchange of experience for customs officers of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Lithuania.

Joint management authority of the Latvia–Lithuania–Belarus cross-border cooperation Programme – Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Joint Technical Secretariat

Constitutions Avenue 7,
LT-09308 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel:+370 5 261 0477
Fax: +370 5 261 0498
information@eni-cbc.eu, www.eni-cbc.eu/llb

The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.