After a meeting of the coalition cooperation council on Monday, Transport Minister Tālis Linkaits (New Conservative Party) said that the Transport Ministry has managed to find the EUR 3.7 million necessary for printed press deliveries in 2020.
The minister stated that after evaluating the Pasažieru Vilciens (Passenger Rail) train procurement schedule, the ministry found it possible to delay the provision of funding for construction of a train depot and technological purchases from 2020 to 2021.
“The mail delivery businesses shouldn't worry – all the funding necessary for supplying subscription-based press and general support will be covered by the budget. EUR 3.7 million will be taken from Pasažieru Vilciens’ reserves and EUR 2 million will be taken from the budget,” said Linkaits.
Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) added that the government will continue subsidizing regional press delivery companies in the future. “It is important to the government that the democratic voice does not vanish. At the same time, we will be looking for a long-term solution to ensure these deliveries, considering that the population is decreasing and people read less printed press,” the prime minister said.
