RIGA, Jun 10 (LETA) - Local governments should have greater powers when it comes to the development of territories, Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Edgars Tavars (United List) said on Wednesday after a meeting with representatives of the Association of Regional Development Centers and Municipalities (RACA).

As LETA was told at the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry, Tavars met with RACA representatives today to discuss development, security and governance issues relevant to local governments, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the ministry and local governments.

During the meeting, Tavars presented his priorities: providing digital solutions for secure elections, reducing the development and maintenance costs of state and local governments' ICT solutions, increasing the role of local governments in spatial planning, as well as strengthening the development and security of regions, especially border regions.

Tavars noted that civil protection, in particular the establishment of emergency shelters, is an issue of national importance that needs to be urgently addressed. He also stressed that the state must not create administrative obstacles for local authorities in implementing security measures.

The minister underlined the necessity to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to decide on the development of their territories, to speed up the implementation of civil protection solutions and to ensure that important decisions are made by those who know the local situation best.

During the meeting, municipal leaders raised a number of practical issues, including the need to accelerate the construction of shelters and the development of civil protection infrastructure, the need to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, strengthening the capacity of the State Environmental Service to coordinate spatial plans, and addressing the rising costs of maintaining local governments' digital systems.

During the meeting, the parties agreed to continue regular dialogue on issues of importance to local governments.