The generous support from the European Union once again shows its power and significance by uniting neighboring countries for a common goal: to build a safer and more prepared society. Thanks to the European Union's cross-border cooperation program, the rescue services of Latvia and Lithuania have joined forces to improve their response capabilities in cases of natural disasters, especially floods.
These days mark a significant step forward in strengthening regional security. From September 18 to 19, large-scale civil protection exercises called "Atmata 2025" are taking place in the Klaipėda region of Lithuania. These drills are part of the project "Improving cross-border cooperation of fire and rescue services in flood response in the Zemgale and Klaipėda regions" (FloodAdapt, LL-00105), which is directly funded by the European Union.
The exercises are not just technical training but also a testament to the values of the European Union: solidarity, cooperation, and readiness to help one another in times of crisis. Floods, like other natural hazards, do not recognize state borders. This is precisely why European Union funding is critically important for services to work together as a single mechanism. These exercises allow them to test and strengthen mutual cooperation, communication, and the ability of both countries' services to jointly solve complex situations.
This project is an investment in public well-being. The joint work of the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia and the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania demonstrates that with the support of the European Union, we can achieve much more than by acting alone. This type of cooperation guarantees that when real danger strikes, our services will not only be prepared but also able to act quickly, efficiently, and in coordination to protect our communities.
This story is a vivid example of how the European Union not only provides financial support but also builds bridges between countries and creates a unified, safe space for all its citizens.
