The information was translated using the ChatGPT service.
Economic Minister Ilze Indriksone today, May 23, in Chernihiv (Ukraine), discussed primary support needs for the region's restoration with local and municipal leaders and visited potential restoration sites.
The Ukrainian side has indicated primary directions for reconstruction as critical and social infrastructure, which involves the restoration of kindergartens, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and housing. This will facilitate the return of residents to the area. "However, it's just as important to also include support for entrepreneurship and employers, strengthening the energy sector, and maintaining the logistics industry," notes the Economic Minister.
Since the start of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, more than 20,000 structures in the Chernihiv region have been destroyed, of which over half are residential. Significant damages have also been inflicted on critical and social infrastructure. Since the end of the occupation of the Chernihiv region, approximately 80% of the residents have returned, and around 90% of businesses continue to operate.
During her visit, the minister met with the head of Chernihiv's regional state administration Vyacheslav Chaus, Mayor of Nizhyn Oleksandr Kobol, acting mayor of Chernihiv Oleksandr Lomako, and other municipal officials. They indicated that the reconstruction process in the Chernihiv region has resumed and the local government is actively working to return life in the area to pre-war conditions as much as currently possible.
During the meeting, Indriksone reaffirmed Latvia's commitment to continue supporting the reconstruction efforts in the Chernihiv region. She also stressed that Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine affects the interests of Latvia and its allies. Therefore, comprehensive support must continue until Ukraine achieves a complete victory in the aggressive war against Russia and restores its independence, territorial integrity, and economy.
V. Chaus listed specific objects currently needing support for their restoration during the meeting. He emphasized that Latvia is one of the first countries not waiting for the end of the war but has been providing tangible support from the early days - not just military and humanitarian, but also real assistance in restoring infrastructure, public buildings, residential areas, and businesses in the Chernihiv region.
During her visit, the Economic Minister donated to the Chernihiv region a symbol of Latvian strength - an oak tree, and 200 pine seedlings grown in Latvia. This symbolizes Latvia's commitment and involvement in the region's restoration and sustainability. Together with the administration, the oak and some of the pine seedlings were planted in the Ukrainian Microbiology Institute's park, creating the Latvia-Ukraine Friendship Alley. The remaining pine seedlings were handed over to the cities of Nizhyn and Chernihiv.
The oak and pine seedlings, which the Economic Minister donated to Ukrainian officials during her visit, were specially prepared by the state company "Latvian State Forests", which has been cooperating with Ukraine for a long time. In December 2021, they signed a cooperation memorandum with the Ukrainian State Forest Agency to share experiences in nursery operations, including the growing of containerized seedlings.
The visit of Economic Minister Ilze Indriksone to Ukraine (Kyiv and Chernihiv) takes place from May 22 to 24 of this year. The aim of the visit is to discuss with responsible Ukrainian officials Latvia's involvement in Ukraine's post-invasion reconstruction due to Russia's brutal incursion. Accompanying the minister on her visit are Latvia's ambassador to Ukraine, Ilgvars Klava, the state secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Edmunds Valantis, the representative of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency in Ukraine, Ainārs Mežulis, the president of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aigars Rostovskis, the general director of the Latvian Employers' Confederation, Kaspars Gorkšs, and the chairwoman of the Latvian Territorial Planners Association, Līna Dimitrijeva.
As known, this year's state budget has allocated five million euros for the reconstruction of the Chernihiv region. The Ministry of Economics plans to use its allocated funding to implement restoration projects in the Chernihiv region, providing an opportunity for Latvian entrepreneurs to participate. Latvia has already provided support to the Chernihiv region, participating in the restoration of the energy sector, residential buildings, and businesses.