Implementation of the Preila Peace Agreement: lessons from a 10-year process

A more than a decade-long peace agreement on construction in Preila, concluded between the Municipality of Neringa, UAB Preila uostas, and other interested parties, has been finalised in order to amicably resolve disputes and potential claims for damages. This agreement covers the area of the old fishing port of Preila, the detailed plan of which was annulled by court decisions because it was contrary to the then Curonian Spit planning scheme.

Although the master plan envisaged building on the site, three decades ago only public buildings were planned. Over time, Neringa has increasingly needed recreational buildings. Changes in the legal framework have allowed owners to regularise buildings in accordance with the new spatial planning documents.

The contract involved new zoning procedures, building permits, and changes to the architectural appearance of the buildings. The access road, utilities, pontoon bridge, slipway, and a landing area for fishermen’s equipment were transferred to the ownership of the Municipality of Neringa. Accommodation huts have also been built, infrastructure has been created, and the area has been developed for recreation.

Patience and drive – key success factors

Negotiations on a peace agreement started in 2011 and lasted almost two years. The negotiations culminated in a peace agreement signed at the end of 2013 between several authorities and the builder. It was the first and probably the only peace agreement of its kind in Lithuania, providing for pioneering and innovative solutions, agreements, and compromises between the builder and the numerous authorities. These include the State Territorial Planning and Building Inspectorate, the State Service for Protected Territories, the Municipality of Neringa, the Department of Cultural Heritage amongst others.

One of the key lessons learnt during the decade-long implementation of the Peace Agreement is the importance of patience and perseverance. Although the process took a long time, the end result showed that patience and consistent work can lead to success. This confirms that the greatest challenges can be overcome with patience and effort.

Cooperation and compromise – the way to peace

The second lesson is the importance of cooperation and compromise. During the negotiations, it was essential that all parties were willing to find common solutions and compromises. Only through open dialogue and mutual understanding was it possible to reach a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. This underlines that cooperation is an essential aspect of peace negotiations.

Flexibility and adaptability to change

The third lesson is flexibility and the adaptability to changing legal conditions. During these years, the legal framework and spatial planning documents evolved, making it necessary to constantly adapt and adjust the execution of the contract, processes and actions.  This experience has confirmed that the spatial planning and construction process is complex and requires not only a good knowledge of the legislation, but the ability to react and adapt quickly to change.

“The decade-long implementation of the peace agreement on the legalisation of construction in Preila has taught us important lessons – that patience, cooperation, and responsiveness to changes in the legal procedures are the most important factors in reaching a peaceful solution,” said NOOR‘s lawyer, Povilas Karlonas.