RIGA, Aug 6 (LETA--BNS) - Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development Arturs Toms Pless will meet with Valka Mayor Vents Armands Krauklis during his visit to the region on Friday and participate in the opening of the center of the Valga-Valka twin city.

The new multi-purpose center was established on the basis of the Estonian-Latvian cross-border cooperation program and includes walking trails, a square for events, a sports field, a skate park, a recreation area and a children's playground.

"Valka stands out in that it is the only such city in Latvia and one of six such cities in Europe. Historically, Valka and Estonia's Valga developed as one city, with a unified street network and public space. This project is an example of effective cooperation between municipalities and the rational use of European Union regional aid across borders," Pless said.

The development of the Valga-Valka center cost EUR 5.3 million, of which 57 percent came from the European Regional Development Fund.

Preparations for the next 2021-2027 cooperation program are underway.