Press releases: Regional development
Cross-border cooperation between Finland and Russia will be focused on EU programmes
Future neighbouring area cooperation between Finland and Russia will be more closely connected to the EU’s cross-border cooperation programmes, which will also be the main source of funding for cooperation. This policy outline is included in the new framework agreement for cross-border cooperation, concluded between Finland and Russia.
Jouni Hakala, Secretary of State to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, and Maxim Travnikov, Deputy Minister of the Ministry for Regional Development of the Russian Federation, signed the agreement on 13 April 2012 in Helsinki.
Aimed at promoting regional development on both sides of the border, the framework agreement supports the implementation of the EU's ENPI CBC (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, Cross-Border Cooperation) programmes across the Finnish and Russian border.
New funding mechanisms will not be created through the agreement. Sources of funding will include the ENPI CBC programmes and other possible EU sources, funding from international financing institutions and budget funding from central and regional government.
In 2007–2013, Finland's cooperation with Russia has been implemented through three programmes, the Kolarctic, Karelia, and South-East Finland – Russia ENPI CBC programmes. Total funding for these programmes amounts to around 190 million euros, with the EU, Finland and Russia contributing to the funding. For the Kolarctic programme, funding also comes from Sweden and Norway. The framework agreement is intended to create a favourable environment for activities in the coming funding period 2014–2020 for the EU's ENPI CBC programmes.
The new framework agreement replaces the Agreement between Finland and Russia on Cooperation in Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia, Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad Region, dating from 1992.
Further information:
Petri Haapalainen, Ministerial Adviser, MEE, tel. +358 40 592 2667
Tuula Manelius, Government Councellor, MEE, tel. +358 10 606 4909
