A second load of pine and spruce seedlings grown in the nurseries of AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) has been delivered to the Chernihiv region of Ukraine under the donation agreement concluded in the spring. This time the seedlings sent to restore the parks and green areas of the Chernihiv region came from the new Mežvidi nursery in Madona municipality. In total, around 40 thousand seedlings have been donated across the spring and autumn forest regeneration seasons to support the restoration of Ukraine's forest areas.
“The cooperation and the support provided to Ukraine are based on the letter of expectations from the Ministry of Agriculture, which also envisages LVM playing an active part in strengthening Europe's common security space and in developing a sustainable business model on a European scale, including support for Ukraine's integration into Europe. In assessing the option of donating tree seedlings this spring and autumn, we concluded that it in no way jeopardises LVM's operations or its objective – to supply Latvian forestry with high-quality forest regeneration material for the continued sustainable improvement of the value and productivity of the forests we grow. A donation of this kind is significant support for Ukraine's efforts to restore the country's devastated green areas, improve recreational opportunities for its people and rebuild ecosystems,” explains LVM Chairman of the Board Pēters Putniņš.
The forest seedlings were donated to Ukraine in response to a request from the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Latvia for support for Ukrainian society in restoring forests and parks. Transporting the tree seedlings to Ukraine under the necessary conditions was carried out in cooperation with AS “Latvijas Finieris”.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Latvia Anatolii Kutsevol: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to AS "Latvijas valsts meži” and to the company "Latvijas Finieris" for their support in restoring forests and parks in the Chernihiv region, where enormous damage was inflicted during Russia's military aggression. The high-quality seedlings grown in Latvia will not only help heal the scars left by Russian aggression, but will also help build a greener, healthier and more sustainable Ukraine."
Uldis Biķis, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS “Latvijas Finieris”, stresses: “Rebuilding Ukraine after the devastation caused by the war is every bit as important as helping Ukraine's heroic and steadfast soldiers, their families, and its health, social care and education institutions. By continuing to give our support tirelessly, we strengthen the Ukrainian people's faith and hope that their land will once again be free of the invaders' hatred and ruin, that green forests will grow and fertile fields will flourish there again, and that peace will come!”
The donation agreement was signed in May 2024 by Ukraine's Ambassador to Latvia Anatolii Kutsevol and LVM Chairman of the Board Pēters Putniņš, who also discussed plans for further cooperation during the meeting.
LVM has had ties with Ukraine for several years now. In December 2021, LVM signed a memorandum of cooperation with the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, under which a number of exchange-of-experience visits took place before the war began. During these, LVM introduced its Ukrainian colleagues to the work of its nurseries, showing how containerised seedlings are grown in Latvia and sharing experience of nursery construction as well as the use of information technology in forestry. LVM remains ready to cooperate and share its experience so that a high-quality forest seedling growing system can also be established in Ukraine. LVM will continue to play an active part in strengthening Europe's common security space and in developing a sustainable business model on a European scale, including support for Ukraine's integration into Europe.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7632-ukraina-nogadats-jau-otrais-lvm-meza-stadu-davinajums?idU=1