Russia, EU sign agreements on new cooperation programmes

Moscow :  Russia and the European Union (EU) have signed agreements to finance and implement two new cross-border cooperation programmes for the period until 2020, EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer said Thursday.

"I see the cross-border cooperation as a positive example of how much can be achieved by joint efforts in a constructive and positive environment," Ederer said in an online statement, reported Xinhua.

The programmes worth 88 million euros ($108 million) involve Russia and its neighbours Lithuania and Poland, both EU members, will focus particularly on the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, the promotion of social inclusiveness, cooperation for a clean natural environment and efficient management of natural resources, the statement said.

They also aim to promote joint actions for effective border management and security, increasing access to adjacent regions, as well as developing innovation capacities, sustainable transport and communication models.

The latest agreement brought the number of cross-border cooperation programmes between the EU and Russia to seven.

Previous programmes included joint efforts to modernize heating systems in schools and hospitals in border areas, upgrade border crossing points' facilities, build recreational centers and promote ecological education.