Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis attended the celebration ceremony at a former border crossing between Valka in Latvia and Valga in Estonia, on December 21, 2017.
Historically, twin towns Valga-Valka had been developing as one town; while after the states re-independence, the border regime was established in 1991.On December 21, 2007 Estonia and Latvia acceded to the Schengen Agreement and the border crossing points were removed.
On her speech, President Kaljulaid stressed the role of the Schengen in promoting cooperation between communities in the border region. The heads of state also visited the local vocational education center which offers courses to Estonians as well as Latvians.
