Belarusian and Latvian participants of the "Bella Dvina" tour project hope for its continuation

July 8, Polotsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The cross-border project "Bella Dvina - Crossing Borders, Discovering Culture, Enjoying Nature of the Western Dvina/Daugava Region" ("Bella Dvina") may be continued. Participants of the Belarusian-Latvian project have applied for participation in the new EU cross-border cooperation program "Belarus-Lithuania-Latvia," as reported today at the international conference "Tourist Region 'Bella Dvina' as an Example of Successful Belarusian-Latvian Cross-Border Cooperation" by Deputy Chairman of the Polotsk City Executive Committee Nikolay Ilyushonok, BELTA correspondent reports. According to him, the application for participation in the new EU program has been submitted and has passed the first stage of expert review. Assessing the completed cross-border project "Bella Dvina," Nikolay Ilyushonok noted that thanks to it, the Polotsk City Executive Committee gained experience working with the European Commission and European grants. The project participants developed a scientifically based tourism development strategy for the Polotsk and Vitebsk regions, devised tactics for promoting the tourist product in foreign markets, and strengthened the material base of tourist facilities. The "Bella Dvina" project began implementation two years ago. Over 560,000 euros were allocated for its implementation, including more than 480,000 euros from the European Union. The Belarusian-Latvian project "Bella Dvina" was implemented within the framework of the EU program "Baltic Sea Region - INTERREG IIIB - Neighbourhood Programme - INTERREG IIIA - Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus (South) Priority." Its participants included the Polotsk City Executive Committee, Beshenkovichi, Verkhnedvinsk, Vitebsk, Gorodok, Miory, Rossonsky, and Sharkovshchyna districts, and 6 districts of Latvia. Project partners also include the Latgale Regional Development Agency (Latvia), the Vitebsk Center for Regional Studies and Development, and the institution "Interaction" of the German-Belarusian House in Belarus. -0-