On the 12th of December 2012 in St. Petersburg the third meeting of the Russian and Estonian partners meeting of the project «Unique Estonian-Russian fortresses ensemble development as a single tourist product, stage 2″ was held. The project is being implemented within the framework of cross-border cooperation” Estonia-Latvia-Russia “for 2007-2013, the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument.

The project partners are: from Estonia – Narva Department for City Development and Economy (Lead Partner) and Narva Museum, from Russia – Administration of the Municipal Foundation “City Ivangorod Kingisepp Municipal District Leningrad oblast”.

Associated partners in the project are: Heritage Conservation Board of Estonia, Ida-Viru County from Estonia side, the Committee on Culture of the Leningrad Oblast, the Committee on Culture, Sports and Youth Policy of City Administration Kingisepp and the Leningrad Oblast State Administration of Culture ” Museum Agency “(Russia).

The members of the Steering Committee of the project participated in the meeting. First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Culture of the Leningrad Oblast Zoya Zheldina stressed the importance and necessity of international projects in the Leningrad oblast, which is one of the most reliable partners of cross-border cooperation in the Russian Federation, and wished that the common efforts of partners of the project «Unique Estonian-Russian fortresses ensemble development as a single tourist product, stage 2″, would be a success. Anna Veevo, Deputy Director of the Department for City Development and Economy of Narva and Tatiana Sharova, Head of the Municipality “City Ivangorod”, also noted the success of cross-border cooperation between the two cities in the implementation of international projects within the framework of cross-border cooperation programme “Estonia-Latvia-Russia” and expressed hope for further work in the projects in the next programme period.

The main objective of the meeting was to sum up the achieved results during the yearly period and to work out further plans for the promotion of the unique Estonian-Russian ensemble of fortresses as a single tourist product on the tourist market industry and common actions in this direction together with large scale project «Narva – Ivangorod LSP6» .

5 reports of the project working groups for period from 12.16.2011 to 15.12.2012 were presented to the participants of the meeting. For the most part of project activities is carried out in accordance with the timetable schedules. During this period the construction of the road in Pskov street adjacent to Ivangorod fortress has begun; municipal contracts for construction, architectural and construction supervision are signed, tender for supply of audioguides implemented and contract signed on the Russian side. During the period press releases have been regularly published; terms of reference for PR-brochure and the project web site developed.

Anna Karina, the Manager of the project “Development of a unique ensemble Narva – Ivangorod fortresses as a s single cultural and tourist object. Narva – Ivangorod LSP6 », provided detailed information on the project. In the course of its implementation Victoria bastion restoration in Narva and Small Gunpowder barn at Ivangorod fortress is to be carried out. Creation of Welcome Exhibition Center is also planned.

The overarching strategic objective of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia cross border cooperation Programme within European Neighbourhood and Partnership instrument 2007-2013 is to promote joint development activities for the improvement of the region’s competitiveness by utilising its potential and beneficial location in the cross roads between the EU and Russian Federation. The specific objective is to make the wider border area an attractive place for both its inhabitants and businesses through activities aimed at improving the living standards and investment climate. The Programme website: www.estlatrus.eu.

Oksana Poznyak
Info-specialist
Project EstRusFortTour-2
+7 813 75 54178

Natalia Orava
Project manager
+372 35 99 085
atalia.orava@narva.ee