According to Minister for Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler, renovating the border checkpoints will first and foremost improve the border crossing conditions. "In addition, joint projects between Estonia and Russia help to create new jobs by promoting travel and bringing about new business opportunities," said Kiisler.

In the course of the Värska-Pechory highway reconstruction project, parking zones will be established near the Pechory Monastery and near the Kunichina Gora border checkpoint. Select stretches of the highway, notably from Värska to the Koidula checkpoint and from Kunichina Gora to the Pechory Monastery on the Russian side will also undergo reconstruction.

The projects for renovating the checkpoints in Narva and Ivangorod and for improving the traffic and border crossing conditions on the Värska-Pechory highway will receive 7.4 million euros and 4.7 million euros, respectively, from the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013 Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Program, implemented by Minister for Regional Affairs. The leading partners in the investment projects are the Ministry of the Interior and the Road Administration.

According to the preliminary proposal approved by the European Commission, a total of 12.1 million euros will be invested in renovating the border checkpoints in Narva and Ivangorod and improving the transport link between Värska and Pechory.

Sigrid Maasen