21 million euros for cooperation
The Finnish government approved the cooperation plan with its neighbouring North-West Russia for 2009.
Focus is given to the City of St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk Region, writes the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press-release.
Neighbouring area cooperation promotes economic cooperation, environment protection and nuclear safety. In addition, neighbouring area cooperation combats threats associated with communicable diseases, drugs and organised crime. It also supports strengthening of civil society and reform of administration and legislation. Each year about two hundred projects are in progress, most of them bilateral projects.
All projects to get funding are based on equal partnership with both partners committed to joint objectives and cost sharing. Neighbouring area cooperation also supports EU’s Northern Dimension policy goals at project level.
