RIGA, July 22 (LETA) - Saeima Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee on Wednesday supported draft legislation on development of eastern Latvia that stipulates establishment of a special support fund for the region, which would tentatively require EUR 50 million annually from the state budget.

The bill's preamble says that the objective is to promote resilience, security, and well-being of residents in eastern Latvia by defining the territory of eastern Latvia, the principles for supporting its development, as well as a special legal framework and financial support measures to promote the region's social and economic development, attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen security.

The legislation states that municipalities in eastern Latvia will be granted priority access to the European Union's cohesion policy programs and other financial resources available at the national and EU levels to improve civilian and military mobility, ensure access to education, healthcare, and social services for residents, promote economic activity, create new jobs, attract investment, develop energy security and digital infrastructure, as well as strengthen culture, including the Latgalian language, and societal resilience.

The fund's financing will be made up of state and municipal budget funds, financing from EU funds and other EU financial instruments, resources from international financial institutions.

According to the bill, the fund will be a public foundation supervised by the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry.