Russia and Lithuania signed on Wednesday a memorandum on interregional and cross-border cooperation to promote trade and the development of infrastructure along the border between the two countries.
The document stipulates a timely exchange of information on relevant changes in legislation and on regional best practice in cross-border cooperation, and emphasizes investment in joint commercial projects.
The sides also agreed to set up a joint group of experts to help resolve the complex issues of regional development more efficiently.
Russia's northwestern regions play an increasingly important role in relations between Russia and Europe, which has become one of the main priorities in Russia's foreign policy.
The cross-border cooperation models represent important vehicles for Russia's gradual integration into the European economic, political and security space.
Over the past decade, practically all Russian regions bordering countries of Central and Western Europe have developed different strategies for cross-border cooperation, ranging from dialogue among regional entities on both sides of the border, to more sophisticated models of cross-border integration, such as Euro-regions.
VILNIUS, July 22 (RIA Novosti)
