Neighbouring Area Cooperation
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND
2009
UM_LAY_ENG_Kansi_041109.indd 1
4.11.2009 16:42:05
Table of contents
Foreword, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen
1
What is neighbouring area cooperation? 2
Foundation and goals 2
Fields of activity 3
Grounds for neighbouring area cooperation 3
How is neighbouring are cooperation carried out? 4
Working groups and Action Plan for 2009– 2011 4
Multilateral cooperation 5
Financing 5
How does the project cooperation operate in practice?
Administration and procedures 7
Project preparation appropriation for SMEs 7
NGOs’ neighbouring area cooperation 7
Examples of projects
7
8
Action Plan for Neighbouring Area Cooperation 2009 –2011
17
This publication is one in the series of three brochures
published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in autumn 2009,
which provide information about Finland’s policy on
the northern and arctic regions and Finland’s neighbouring
area cooperation. The two other publications are entitled
Northern Dimension and Arctic Know-How in Finland.
The brochure has been prepared by the Unit for Regional
Cooperation in the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe
and Central Asia in cooperation with stakeholders.
Further information can be requested from:
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND
Unit for Regional Cooperation (ITÄ-30)
Tel: +358-9-16005
Fax: +358-9-1605 6120
E-mail: [email protected]
Graphic design and lay-out: Mika Kettunen
Cover picture: Lehtikuva
Printing: Edita Plc
UM_LAY_ENG_Kansi_041109.indd 2
4.11.2009 16:42:06
Foreword
When neighbouring area cooperation started at the beginning of 1990s, I was Minister
for Foreign Affairs and took part in generating ideas for cooperation. In 1992 I signed and
even wrote parts of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Neighbouring Area Cooperation
between the Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation. I am pleased that, as Minister
for Foreign Trade and Development, I now have the opportunity to take responsibility
for this unique form of cooperation between Finland and Russia.
The neighbouring area cooperation between our two countries has served as an example
for other initiatives, such as the EU’s cross-border programmes developed in the framework
of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and its Cross-Border Cooperation
(ENPI CBC) component.
Compared to the situation that prevailed during the early years of neighbouring area cooperation,
our operating environment has changed markedly. Cooperation is now developed on the basis
of equal partnership and efforts are made, above all, to promote economic cooperation and social
development. Furthermore, we strive to combat various threats towards our region and its people;
for this reason, key sectors of cooperation include also the environment, nuclear safety,
social welfare and health care issues.
Neighbouring area cooperation is an element of Finland’s foreign and security policy.
It supports the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia, the policy for the Northern
Dimension (ND) and the ND partnerships themselves as well as supporting the activities
of the regional councils in the north of Europe.
This brochure describes the framework and priorities of neighbouring area cooperation
and the concrete achievements that have been made. I hope it will encourage neighbouring area
actors and will make the opportunities offered by neighbouring area cooperation between
Finland and Russia better known more widely in society.
Paavo Väyrynen
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
1
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 1
4.11.2009 15:18:56
What is neighbouring area cooperation?
Neighbouring area cooperation has been conducted between Finland and
Russia for nearly 17 years. Both the experiences and the results obtained have
been positive. The Neighbouring Area Agreement has enabled direct cross-border
communication between public authorities, institutions, companies and
organisations, thus leading to the creation of unique cooperation networks.
Neighbouring area cooperation has also set an example for the cross-border
cooperation programmes of the European Union.
Foundation and goals
Neighbouring area cooperation is an integral element
of Finland’s foreign policy. Finland’s neighbouring
area cooperation with Russia is based on the
Neighbouring Area Agreement concluded in 1992.
Since the early 1990s, Finland has granted
approximately 293 million euros in support for
neighbouring area cooperation projects in Russia.
About 200 projects are in progress each year.
The main target area is Northwest Russia, especially
areas bordering on Finland – the Murmansk Region,
the Republic of Karelia, the Leningrad Region
and St Petersburg.
The key goal of neighbouring area cooperation
between Finland and Russia is to support economic
and social development in these areas and to promote
the preconditions for cooperation between public
authorities, the business community and citizens
in the neighbouring areas. The cooperation conducted
seeks to reduce environmental and nuclear security
risks and to prevent the spread of drugs and
communicable diseases. In addition, support is
given for administrative and legal reforms, and effort
is made to reinforce civil society.
Neighbouring area cooperation
NGO funds have been used to support
preservation of culturally significant
milieu in Paanajärvi
Photo: Markku Nieminen / Juminkeko
2
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 2
4.11.2009 15:19:03
During the current Government’s term of office,
neighbouring area cooperation activities focus on
comprehensive economic cooperation more
than in the past. One form of this cooperation is
projects involving public – private partnerships.
The environment, nuclear safety, and social welfare
and health care issues continue to be important
sectors of cooperation.
Neighbouring area cooperation is developed
on the basis of partnership between equals.
The cooperation emphasises mutually beneficial
projects and stresses the cultivation of permanent
cooperative relationships. Wellbeing in neighbouring
areas is also in the interests of Finland.
in neighbouring areas and for preparations
to establish small and medium-sized (SMEs)
Finnish companies in Northwest Russia.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible
for the administration of these projects.
Coordination of neighbouring area cooperation
with the European Neighbourhood and Partnership
Instrument and its Cross-Border Cooperation
(ENPI CBC) programmes (Kolarctic, Karelia and
Southeast Finland – Russia ENPI CBC programmes)
and the Northern Dimension partnerships ensures
that the projects are complementary.
Grounds for neighbouring area
cooperation:
Fields of activity
Neighbouring area cooperation projects is carried
out in the following sectors: promotion of economic
cooperation (including business activities, transport
and logistics as well as energy cooperation);
the environment; social welfare and health care;
nuclear safety; agriculture and forestry; education
and civil society; the judiciary and internal affairs.
• Promotion of economic cooperation and trade
• A cleaner environment
• Improvement of nuclear safety
• Reduction of adverse effects arising from
social and health problems
• Promotion of civil society
Most of the projects are implemented bilaterally
under the administration of the Finnish ministry
responsible for the sector in question. Funds reserved
for neighbouring area cooperation are also used
to provide support for Finnish NGO projects
3
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 3
4.11.2009 15:19:10
How is neighbouring area cooperation carried out?
Working groups and Action Plan
for 2009 – 2011
A Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Development
Group for Cooperation in the neighbouring areas,
set up by virtue of the Neighbouring Area Agreement,
coordinates neighbouring area cooperation. The four
regional groups under the administration of the
Development Group (Finland – Murmansk Region;
Finland – the Republic of Karelia; Finland – Leningrad
Region; and Finland – St Petersburg) prepare and
discuss joint projects and monitor their
implementation and outcomes.
The Intergovernmental Development Group for
Cooperation in the neighbouring areas meets every
third year. At the session held in Helsinki on
17 November 2008, it adopted the Action Plan
for Finnish–Russian Neighbouring Area Cooperation
in the Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia,
St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region in 2009–2011.
The text of the Action Plan is appended to this
document. The Action Plan specifies the sectors
of cooperation and the goals to be pursued
in each sector. It has also been used as the base
for formulating the regional programmes.
Chairs of the Inter-governmental development group
for neighbouring area cooperation, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov and Secretary of State
Pertti Torstila.
Photo: Ossi Lehtonen
4
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 4
4.11.2009 15:19:13
Multilateral cooperation
Neighbouring area cooperation also supports
the goals and programmes of multilateral regional
cooperation. Finland cooperates with International
Financial Institutions (IFIs); this has facilitated
the realisation of more wide-scale projects, especially
in the environmental and nuclear safety sectors.
Finland’s neighbouring area appropriations are
also channelled to the Northern Dimension
Environmental Partnership (NDEP) Support Fund,
administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD). The current contribution
to the Fund is 18 million euros, of which 2 million
euros is earmarked for nuclear safety projects
and 16 million euros for environmental projects.
In addition, neighbouring area appropriations are
used to support projects conducted in the framework
of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public
Health and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS) and projects
implemented in Northwest Russia by international
organisations, such as the ILO, UNODC and the IOM.
The most appropriations have been channelled
to projects related to the environment, promotion of
economic cooperation, nuclear and radiation safety,
social welfare and health care, and agriculture
and forestry.
About 1.5 million euros have been allocated each year
to projects carried out in neighbouring areas
by Finnish NGOs. A separate annual appropriation
of about 0.6 million euros has been made available
for project preparation by Finnish SMEs.
• Neighbouring area cooperation is implemented
in cooperation with the public authorities,
Finnish companies and NGOs.
• The Ministry for Foreign Affairs allocates
appropriations for the implementation
of various projects.
• Further information is available on the
website for neighbouring area cooperation, at
http://formin.finland.fi/kv-yhteistyo/lahialueyhteistyo.
Financing
Photo: Markku Kupiainen
From 1990 to 2009, Finland has allocated
approximately 293 million euros for neighbouring
area cooperation projects carried out in Russia.
The Russian party contributes to the project
financing to an increasing extent. Other countries
and international financing institutions or
organisations can also participate in the financing
of multilateral projects.
Most state budget appropriations for neighbouring
area cooperation are channelled via the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs. In 2009, a total of 19.5 million
euros has been allocated for neighbouring area
cooperation.
The appropriations administered by the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs are distributed
in compliance with the principles and priorities
specified in Finland’s neighbouring area
cooperation strategy.
5
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 5
4.11.2009 15:19:18
Finland takes an active part in the improvement of
nuclear safety in its neighbouring areas. This photograph shows
the main entrance of the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant.
Photo: Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
6
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 6
4.11.2009 15:19:27
How does project cooperation work in practice?
Administration and procedures
Neighbouring area cooperation of NGOs
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible
for the overall project coordination and control,
including project financing and development of
procedures. The sectoral ministries and accounting
offices under their administration, for their part,
are responsible for concrete project preparation and
for project implementation and monitoring.
Neighbouring area cooperation funds are also used to
support cross-border cooperation projects carried out
by NGOs. These projects concentrate primarily on
the social welfare and health care sector and
promotion of civil society. They involve, for example,
development of child welfare, work to prevent drug
abuse and promote mental health, and improvement
of the situation of persons with disabilities.
Other themes of NGO’s neighbouring area
cooperation are raising awareness about the
environment and training of NGO actors.
The Administrative procedures for Finland’s neighbouring
area cooperation were revised under the supervision
of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in early 2009.
The guidelines describe the application process and
provide guidance on how to prepare a project plan
for neighbouring area cooperation. For NGOs and
SMEs, Separate instructions on how to apply for
support have been drawn up for NGOs and SMEs.
Applications for support can be submitted by nonprofit NGOs or foundations that have been registered
in Finland for a minimum of 12 months. The annual
application period is August – September.
Project preparation appropriation for SMEs
Of the funds for neighbouring area cooperation
coordinated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
a separate appropriation has been earmarked
for project preparation by Finnish SMEs.
The main purpose of this independent appropriation
is to lower the threshold for companies to plan and
start business operations in Russia together with
Russian partners. The intention is that the projects
receiving this financing will help launch new
ventures or foster existing Finnish–Russian business
activities. Finnvera Plc operates as an expert and
contact organisation in projects financed
by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
7
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 7
4.11.2009 15:19:33
Cooperation in logistics aims at creating good preconditions
of operation for transport between Finland and the neighbouring
regions and at promoting innovations in trade and logistics.
In the photo, Russian car carriages in Vainikkala.
Examples of projects
In 2009, the largest share of neighbouring area
cooperation appropriations, 5.7 million euros, was
allocated for the promotion of economic cooperation.
The second largest share, 4.8 million euros, was
allocated for projects involving the environment.
Other key sectors, receiving nearly two million euros
each, are agriculture and forestry, social welfare
and health care, nuclear safety, and education
and civil society.
In the following, a few neighbouring area cooperation
projects are presented as concrete illustrations of the
priority sectors, such as development of economic
cooperation, including transport and logistics,
the environment, nuclear safety, development of
agriculture and forestry, social welfare and health
care, and education and training. On an annual basis,
about 200 projects are under way.
Logistics cooperation
Photo: Alexandr Seliverstov
Cooperation in the logistics sector aims to create
good operational preconditions for transport between
Finland and the neighbouring areas, and to promote
trade and logistics in general. Measures related to the
promotion of logistics and the improvement of crossborder transport infrastructure are discussed at all
administrative levels of cooperation between
Finland and Russia.
8
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 8
4.11.2009 15:19:37
Photo: Leif Rosnell/VR
One important priority of neighbouring area
cooperation is greater interoperability of logistic
information systems. With this objective in mind,
pilot projects have been launched between companies
that are active in both Finland and Russia, in order to
achieve compatibility of their logistic data interfaces.
The principal beneficiaries of the outcomes of logistic
neighbouring area cooperation are trade and
transport sector actors but, at the same time,
border control formalities take less time
and official control becomes more effective.
Cooperation between terminals and their
interoperability in international transport constitute
another logistics area under development.
Once results have been achieved, the cooperation
will be expanded and diversified accordingly.
Neighbouring area cooperation in the transport sector
has been the most successful with regard to transport
by rail. Thanks to their joint development projects,
Finnish and Russian railways have become
forerunners in effective operational procedures
for the management of material flows and information
flows in the rail network. All international waybills
between the countries are transmitted electronically.
Likewise, real-time monitoring of consignments
is already possible. Finland has an edge over the
other EU Member States with regard to rail transport
cooperation: Since Finland and Russia have the same
rail gauge, transports do not require load transfer.
Because electronic data transmission is also in place,
the rail route from Europe via Finland to Russia is
the best and most efficient means of transport also
from the point of view of information technology.
carried out by individual Finnish SMEs, for example,
relating to business park projects. Examples of
business parks include the Vyborg Industrial Park
in the Leningrad Region, a business park plan
in Petrozavodsk prepared by the North-West
Development and Investment Promotion Agency, and
the Alakurtti Centre of Technology and Competence
under way in the Murmansk Region.
The FinRus training initiative is part of a long-term
training programme for Russian executives designed
to develop corporate and official trade and business
relations. The goal of the extended programme,
which was started in 2008, is to train young
Russian executives in Finland and, correspondingly,
young Finnish executives in Russia so that they
become familiar with the partner country’s
management culture and established business
practices. Participants also have a practical training
period in a host country company. The programme is
implemented in Finland by Fintra; in Russia it is
implemented by the Federal Centre of Training
Managers under the administration
of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Promotion of business activities
Photo: Vasili Katarov
The EuroRussia forum between public and
private sector partners supports the operational
and investment opportunities of SMEs in Northwest
Russia and networking between Finnish and Russian
companies. The objective of the EuroRussia forum
is to foster economic cooperation also by creating
subcontractor networks and business parks in
neighbouring areas. In addition, project support
for SMEs, financed from neighbouring area
appropriations, can help to fund studies
9
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 9
4.11.2009 15:19:40
At the Business Centre established within the State
Vocational Institute in Olonets, entrepreneurs can
arrange training and hold meetings. The entrepreneurship workshop that was carried out within
the framework of the project led to the creation
of a cooperation network between schools in Olonets
and in Ostrobothnia, Finland. At present, about
30 Karelian women entrepreneurs are participating
in training to become qualified to set up a business
of their own or to develop an existing company.
Cooperation in forestry and
nature conservation
Finland and Russia have long-standing experience
of cooperation in the forest sector. The present form
of cooperation started in the early 1990s, when efforts
focused on development of forest regeneration and
seed nursery technology and thinning.
In addition to the established target regions, i.e.
the Republic of Karelia, the Murmansk Region and
the Leningrad Region, cooperation is also carried out
in Archangelsk and Komi, and more recently in
Vologda and Nizhni Novgorod. In these regions,
forests play a marked role and there is willingness
for active development work.
Cross-cutting themes characterising
the implementation of the programme as a whole
include the promotion of Scandinavian forest
management and the training of staff. In cooperation
the parties have striven to utilise the most up-to-date
scientific and technological knowledge.
The long land border between
Finland and Russia has enabled
comprehensive cross-border cooperation
also in the nature reserves.
Among the key results are adaptation of a regional
and ecological planning system to local conditions,
development of seed nursery plants, and more
modern and uniform curriculums in educational
institutions specialising in the forest sector.
During the programme, more than 500 forestry
experts, from forest workers to executives, have had
training of different lengths in Russia and Finland.
Frigga’s fritillary.
Photo: S. N. Kuznetsova
The long land border between Finland and Russia
has enabled comprehensive cross-border cooperation
also in nature reserves. The goal of the Green Belt
of Fennoscandia project is to establish a chain of
parks in pairs on both sides of the border,
beginning from the Gulf of Finland in the south
and extending to the Barents Sea in the north.
Virgin forest, marshlands and water areas
in the Green Belt help preserve many endangered
animal and plant species and are important
especially as regards movement of animal species.
The Green Belt will form a unique entity in European
nature conservation. The aim is to develop this
cooperation so that it will be ecologically,
economically, socially and culturally sustainable.
10
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 10
4.11.2009 15:19:42
Three-toed woodpecker
Cooperation between
the Ministry of the Environment of Finland
and Vodokanal of St Petersburg
Photo: A. I. Zubkova
Protection of the Baltic Sea has been the main
goal of cooperation between the Ministry of the
Environment and the Waste Water Treatment Plant
of St Petersburg (Vodokanal), which started in the early
1990s. The Ministry of the Environment has contributed
about 40 million euros to more than one hundred
water protection projects conducted by Vodokanal.
The largest individual projects have been the Southwest
Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Sludge Incineration
Plant in the Northern Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In addition, funds have been channelled to
improvement of sewerage and remote control,
twinning with the utility Helsingin Vesi (Helsinki
Water) and enhancing the removal of phosphorus.
A study covering the years 2007 to 2012 explored costeffective water protection investments in St Petersburg,
which included completing the construction of sewage
collector tunnels, linking of waste channels carrying
untreated wastewater to tunnel sewers, and
renovation investments in the existing wastewater
treatment plants. The project is financed by the
City of St Petersburg, the Russian Federation,
international financial institutions (IFIs),
the NDEP Support Fund, Finland and Sweden.
With support from the Finnish Ministry of the
Environment, Vodokanal started tests on chemical
methods for the removal of phosphorus in 2005.
Support for testing and the necessary equipment has
been granted to several wastewater treatment plants
in St Petersburg, including the three biggest ones.
The goal is to meet the HELCOM recommendations
pertaining to the phosphorus content of treated
wastewater.
Effective dephosphorisation in St Petersburg
has set an example that has attracted attention
in other Northwest Russian cities, indicating that
additional good news can be expected in the future.
The international cooperation conducted to
improve wastewater treatment in St Petersburg
International cooperation to clean waste water in
St Petersburg has been cost-effective. The photo illustrates
the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant of St. Petersburg.
11
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 11
4.11.2009 15:20:01
has been cost-effective. The outlay of funds to reduce
the phosphorus load on the Baltic Sea has yielded
multiple benefits. Furthermore, Finnish companies’
export prospects and employment have been promoted.
Fishing industry programme
in Northwest Russia
Based on feedback received from different actors
representing Northwest Russian and Finnish fishing
Photo: Tero Sivula
The fisheries programme aims at boosting rural
development and employment in Northwest Russia
by developing the fishing industries. The following
regions are participating in the programme entity:
the Leningrad Region, the Republic of Karelia and
the Murmansk Region. The programme is an element
of neighbouring area cooperation in Northwest Russia
coordinated by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry.
industries, the programme had had excellent results.
The three-year programme started in 2007 is
considered to be the most significant development
project in the fishing industry, and it has made
substantial contributions to development
Net fishing in the southern part of the Lake Lagoda.
Old-fashioned fishing gear call for plenty of manpower.
Photo: Juha-Pekka Turkka
12
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 12
4.11.2009 15:20:05
Photo: Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
of the sector in general and as an employmentgenerating activity. Cooperation in this rapidly
growing field has also opened up prospects
for Finnish enterprises and has strengthened
cooperation between the public authorities on both
sides, especially as concerns issues of fish health.
The programme focuses on counselling and training
and is implemented by the Game and Fisheries
Research Institute, the Finnish Food Safety Authority
Evira, Finland’s Fishing and Milieu Institute and
companies in the fishing sector. In addition to export
of fodder and small fish, Finns have built plants in
the area, supplied feeding systems and provided
consultation on production.
Fish farming began increasing rapidly as soon as
the cooperation had been launched in 2000.
The sector’s direct contribution to employment
has risen from somewhat over one hundred to
about one thousand persons. When the multiplicative
effects such as further processing and trade, are taken
into account, the overall employment-generating
effect of fish farming rises to several thousand
people. Programme cooperation has also led to
technology transfers and new trade relations.
Thus, for example, Finnish equipment will be used
during the next fishing season on Lake Ladoga.
Improvement of nuclear safety
The main goal of Finland’s neighbouring area
cooperation in the nuclear safety sector is to support
measures designed to improve nuclear safety in
the Kola and Leningrad nuclear power plants, which
are situated in the immediate vicinity of Finland.
This goal is promoted by providing expert services
and equipment. The cooperation concerns, above all,
development of the plants’ operation, structural
inspections, fire safety and other projects related
to technical safety analyses of the power plants.
These analyses can help identify specific sites
where security should be improved.
A group of inspectors is visiting the reactor hall
of the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant.
This cooperation may help reach permanent security
gains also on a wider scale. Supporting the development
of radiation monitoring systems and emergency
preparedness in the vicinity of the nuclear plants, for
its part, benefits both the local population and people
living in the partner and neighbouring countries.
Furthermore, the programme contributes to efforts
aiming to reduce both local environmental hazards
and risk the of terrorist acts by supporting nuclear
waste disposal projects and projects preventing
unauthorised access to and transfer of radioactive
substances. Authorities of the Nordic countries are
engaged in close cooperation in the nuclear safety
sector in order both to avoid duplication and to be
able to carry out joint projects that require more funds.
Cooperation with Rostechnadzor, the Russian federal
agency charged with enforcing the safe use of all
potentially hazardous equipment, is an important part
of the neighbouring area cooperation programme.
13
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 13
4.11.2009 15:20:07
Promotion of family entrepreneurship among
indigenous peoples in the Murmansk Region
Finnish-Russian Cross-Border University
(CBU)
The family entrepreneurship project, which works
with the indigenous peoples and especially the Sami,
strives to open up business opportunities for
the native inhabitants of Lovozero District,
strengthen their identity, foster a positive atmosphere
by disseminating information and experiences about
entrepreneurial activities, and to keep traditional
handicraft skills alive. In addition, courses in Kildin
and Northern Sami have been arranged, to improve
the knowledge of local residents, especially teachers,
of the Sami languages. Partly thanks to these language
courses, Sami people in the Kola Peninsula have been
able to communicate with their counterparts
in the Nordic countries.
The Finnish-Russian Cross-Border University (CBU)
is a network of cross-border cooperation between
five Finnish and five Russian universities.
The universities cooperate on the development
and provision of international Master’s degree
programmes.
The St Petersburg State Polytechnical University
(SPSPU) is one of the Partner Universities
of the Cross-Border University (CBU).
The project has been implemented mainly in
Lovozero District of the Murmansk Region, which is
where the Sami people live. The project has been
planned to last for three years, from 2007 to 2009.
It was started by the Barents Euro-Arctic Council
in cooperation with Norway in 2007. Financing was
obtained in the first year also from the Nordic Council
of Ministers. The project focuses on three key areas:
entrepreneurship; handicrafts; and Sami languages.
The major achievements have included, for example,
improved quality of handmade products, introduction
of new working methods, and material and courses
on entrepreneurial activities given in
the Russian language.
The quality of traditional handicrafts has improved markedly
thanks to new methods and higher quality of raw materials.
14
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 14
4.11.2009 15:20:09
The participating universities are:
. University of Helsinki
. University of Joensuu
. University of Kuopio
. University of Tampere
. Lappeenranta University of Technology
. St. Petersburg State University
. St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University
. St. Petersburg State Forest Technical Academy
(as of 2009, Forestry)
. Petrozavodsk State University
. The European University at St. Petersburg.
At the CBU, Master’s degree programmes are available
in six different fields of study. The joint Master’s degree
programmes last for two years and correspond to
120 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and
Accumulation System). The language of the programme
is English.
15
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 15
4.11.2009 15:20:13
As a rule, studies take place in one Finnish and
one Russian university. The programmes correspond
to the requirements set for the European Higher
Education Area (EHEA). The programme content
emphasises the future needs of international labour
markets and graduates’ working life qualifications.
Quality management and cooperation with the
corporate world are among the key elements in the
operation and development of the CBU Master’s
degree programmes.
CBU fields of study:
. Business and Administration
. Forestry and Environmental Engineering
. History
. Information and Communications Technology
. International Relations
. Public Health
Prevention of HIV infections
through ND partnership programmes
in the Barents and ND regions
The Barents HIV/AIDS Programme seeks
to prevent the spread of HIV infections and to
alleviate the social, economic and health hazards
caused by the epidemic. The programme involves
The Expert Group on HIV/AIDS under
the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health
and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS) started its work
in 2004, continuing cooperation that has been started
by the Baltic Sea Task Force on Communicable Disease.
The group comprises representatives from Finland
(Chair), Sweden, Norway, Russia, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Germany, France, Portugal,
Canada and Belarus. The group has formulated
common recommendations for the ND region
and has exchanged experiences on the participants’
respective national HIV programmes.
The group seeks, among other things, to promote
regional cooperation, to prevent HIV infections
among drug abusers, to prevent co-infection
with HIV and tuberculosis, and to disseminate
information about good practices.
Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland
A student receives one national Master’s Degree,
a Diploma Supplement and a CBU certificate.
In the event that the studies meet both Finnish and
Russian degree requirements, the student may be
awarded a double degree.
intersectoral and cross-border cooperation:
In addition to Finland, Norway, Sweden and the
territories in Russia that belong to the Barents region
(Karelia, Murmansk, Archangelsk, Komi, Nenets
and representation of Northwest Russia from
St. Petersburg) also take part in the programme.
The programme focuses on the development
of legislation, training of experts, upgrading
of preventive measures, monitoring, access to care,
and the rights of those diagnosed as HIV-positive.
Good results have been obtained from
the low threshold support centre, established in
Murmansk in 2005, and a similar centre has been set
up in Kantalahti. The Leningrad Region has
expressed interest in the model and is prepared
to follow suit.
16
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 16
4.11.2009 15:20:14
Improvement of traffic safety
Traffic safety projects are carried out to improve the
traffic safety of the European Route E18 in Northwest
Russia and the safety of people using the connecting
road by implementing a variety of measures.
The measures have been targeted primarily at heavyvehicle traffic. At the same time, efforts have been
made to create a permanent cross-border cooperation
network aiming to improve traffic safety.
The most important actions in 2008 were production
and distribution of information material to Russian
heavy-vehicle drivers, organisation of a training
seminar, and identification of the most accidentprone sites on the E18. Another important project
is the Intelligent transport in St Petersburg project,
which is carried out jointly by experts from Finland
and St Petersburg. The objective is to ensure that the
ring road in St Petersburg will be of a high standard
in terms of both its maintenance and its use
of the traffic management system.
A brochure in Russian (the brief brochure in
Finnish is entitled Rekalla Suomessa) has been
prepared and distributed to Russian drivers;
it provides information about such matters as traffic
rules, the required documents, special regulations
applying to heavy vehicles and heavy-vehicle traffic,
guidance in case of an accident or damage, and
Finnish road culture. The first edition of 15,000 copies
was distributed in two weeks. The content of
brochure will be valid for several years.
Efforts to improve traffic safety are also made
by attempting to influence drivers’ road habits
and drivers’ driving condition. To make drivers
realise the impacts of their road habits and driving
competence, a range of measures are taken;
for example, campaigns are launched in the context
of which instructions are provided, posters are put up,
brochures are disseminated and advertisements
are displayed at various forums.
Action Plan for
Neighbouring Area
Cooperation 2009–2011
Action Plan for Finnish – Russian Neighbouring Area
Cooperation in Murmansk, the Republic of Karelia,
St Petersburg and Leningrad in 2009 – 2011
1. General objectives and principles
This Action Plan establishes the general principles,
priorities, goals and organisation of the cooperation
to be pursued by the Government of Finland and
the Government of the Russian Federation (subsequently
referred to as Finland and Russia, respectively) in
the Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia,
St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region in 2009 – 2011.
The Action Plan was adopted at the 12th joint meeting
of the Finnish – Russian Intergovernmental Group on
Neighbouring Area Cooperation held in Helsinki
on 17 November 2008.
Provisions for Finnish – Russian cooperation in
the Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia,
St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region are laid down
in the Intergovernmental Agreement on Neighbouring
Area Cooperation, signed between Finland and Russia
on 20 January 1992. The cooperation is conducted
in compliance with other valid bilateral agreements,
Finnish and Russian legislation and the international
commitments of the two countries.
Neighbouring area cooperation promotes sustainable
economic and social development in the Murmansk Region,
the Republic of Karelia, St Petersburg and the Leningrad
Region, and contributes to interaction between Finnish and
Russian government authorities, the business community
and citizens, with due regard to the interests of the parties
to the agreement.
The parties consider that neighbouring area cooperation
essentially reinforces the good neighbourly relations
between Finland and Russia. They intend to continue
to foster the preconditions of this cooperation.
The parties encourage the development of neighbouring
area cooperation on the basis of equal partnership,
for example, in connection with project identification,
preparation and implementation as well as with regard
to any necessary project administration and monitoring.
17
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 17
4.11.2009 15:20:17
The parties wish to engage in project cooperation in the
Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia, St Petersburg
and the Leningrad Region during the years of 2009 to 2011
in the following sectors: business and industry; transport
and communications; energy, including the safe operation
of nuclear plants; agriculture and forestry; the environment;
social welfare and health care; education and civil society;
local government; emergency service; and legal affairs
and law enforcement.
The parties strive to develop programmes of many years’
duration to support individual projects. The intention is
that project preparation and implementation will yield
positive experiences and results that bring meaningful
benefits also in other regions in Russia. The maintenance of
close and constructive cooperation between Finnish and
Russian regional and local authorities is an essential
precondition for effective implementation of neighbouring
area projects and for the development of neighbouring area
cooperation.
The parties deem it important that issues related to
the financing of neighbouring area cooperation are agreed
upon separately. As to the financing of projects by the
Government of Finland, project participants can register
their projects at the Commission of International
Humanitarian and Technical Assistance of the Government
of the Russian Federation in order to obtain a certificate
confirming that assets, goods and services fall under the
framework of gratuitous technical assistance, which entitles
them to receive tax reliefs granted in accordance with
the legislation of the Russian Federation.
In Finland, the relevant ministries and government agencies
take responsibility for project preparation in cooperation
with local and regional authorities. In Russia, the competent
local, regional and federal authorities act accordingly.
The Intergovernmental Group on Neighbouring Area
Cooperation, set up pursuant to the Agreement on
Neighbouring Area Cooperation between Finland and
Russia, coordinates the cooperation. Regional working
groups established between Finland and the Murmansk
Region, Finland and the Republic of Karelia, Finland
and St Petersburg, and Finland and the Leningrad Region
constitute the permanent working bodies of the
Intergovernmental Group. These bodies are responsible
for formulating region-specific programmes based on
this Action Plan. The regional working groups prepare
and handle joint projects and monitor their implementation
and results.
In connection with the implementation of this Action Plan,
the parties intend to take into account possible multilateral
joint projects carried out in the Murmansk Region,
the Republic of Karelia, St Petersburg and the
Leningrad Region of northern Europe by the Barents
Euro-Arctic Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States,
the Arctic Council, the Northern Dimension partnerships
and the Kolarctic, Karelia and Southeast Finland –
Russia programmes in the framework of the European
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and
its Cross-Border Cooperation (ENPI CBC) component.
The parties make every effort to avoid duplication and
strive for the reconciliation of different projects in order to
attain synergies. Therefore, the parties make active use
of the opportunities identified in the Rules of Procedure of
the Intergovernmental Group, and exchange project-related
information with international organisation and
programmes that take an interest in them and
carry out projects in these regions.
The parties consider that successful development
of neighbouring area cooperation will also expand
international cooperation in northern Europe and thus
benefit both Russia, especially its northwest, and Finland.
2. Sectors of priority
2.1 Business and industry
In order to develop business life, the parties intend to focus
on supporting small and medium-sized entrepreneurial
activities (SMEs), on deepening business contacts
between Finland and Russia, including subcontracting,
on the introduction of information and communications
technology (ICT) and on fostering cooperation related
to innovations. Plans are underway concerning joint action
to create mechanisms that would support labour mobility.
2.2 Transport and communications
As concerns transport and communications, the main goal
of cooperation is to enhance the effectiveness of transports
and logistics systems, including electronic systems,
as well as the transport infrastructure, taking into account
the increase in goods and passenger traffic.
The Finnish and Russian customs authorities will continue
their cooperation. The objective is to promote smooth
passenger and goods traffic by means of well-organised
cooperation between the public authorities and effective
electronic systems.
The parties also strive to intensify their joint efforts
to improve road safety, for example, by improving
the safety of heavy-vehicle traffic on the E18 motorway
in Northwest Russia.
18
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 18
4.11.2009 15:20:17
In the communications sector, the goal of the parties
is development of the information society.
2.3 Energy, including nuclear safety
In the energy sector, attention is paid to the provision
of technical assistance with a view to an overhaul of the
energy infrastructure. By exploiting modern, environmentfriendly technologies, efforts are made to promote efficient
energy production and to save energy, to boost the use
of local and renewable energy sources, and to reduce
hazardous emissions into the atmosphere.
Safe operation of nuclear plants
The parties intend to continue their cooperation aiming
to improve the safe operation of the Leningrad and Kola
nuclear plants by means of user training and technical
improvements and by elaborating the radiation monitoring
system and upgrading fire safety. Attention is also paid
to the safe management and storage of radioactive waste
produced in the nuclear plant as well as to the monitoring
and bookkeeping of radioactive materials. With this in mind,
the goal is further development of interaction between
Finnish and Russian agencies and security authorities
in the field of peaceful use of nuclear power.
2.4 Agriculture and forestry
In agriculture, the objective is to promote modern,
efficient agricultural production, including fisheries.
The aim is to guarantee a high quality of foodstuffs
throughout the production chain and to address aspects
related to the protection of the environment as well as
to develop the technological and logistics systems used
by agricultural entrepreneurs. Furthermore, attention
is paid to the continued development of agricultural
producers’ credit markets and, in this connection,
to the land management system.
The parties intend to continue cooperation to combat
infectious animal diseases, including rabies in wild animals
and fish diseases, as well as efforts against hazardous pests.
Cooperation in forestry aims at the promotion of
effective forestry and the preservation of natural diversity.
2.5 Environment
The parties support deepening of cooperation in
environmental issues, including the use of new ecological
technical methods as a means to prevent environmental
hazards, encouragement of entrepreneurs in adopting new,
environment-friendly technologies, and raising citizens’
awareness of and interest in nature protection and
environmental issues.
Protection of waters
Cooperation related to protection of waters aims at decreasing
the environmental load of the Gulf of Finland by introducing
effective ways to treat household and industrial waste water
and by decreasing the organic nutrient discharge load
originating in agriculture and domestic animal husbandry.
The parties wish to continue the overhaul
of urban wastewater treatment plants, to develop
the water management further and to promote the use
of groundwater to meet the need for drinking water.
The parties will explore the possibilities of engaging
in practical cooperation to prevent floods and to avert
their consequences.
The purpose of cooperation in environmental monitoring
is, among other things, to facilitate access to internationally
comparable data on the state of the Gulf of Finland and
to develop the work of regional laboratories engaged
in environmental monitoring.
Protection of forests
Environmental projects are continued with a view
to clarifying the extent of the present protection zones,
the aim being to issue recommendations for the
establishment of new protection zones.
Air quality
The purpose is to explore opportunities for cooperation
and joint projects in this field.
2.6 Social welfare and health care
Cooperation in the social welfare and health care sector
focuses on efforts to prevent infectious diseases (especially
HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis), promote healthy lifestyles and
wellbeing, and to develop social welfare and health care
services and their management, including the provision of
good primary health care services.
To combat tuberculosis, joint efforts concentrate on the
training of medical staff, upgrading of laboratory systems
and work to combat drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis;
preventive work in prisons is included.
Cooperation also strives to improve the health and
social wellbeing of children and youths. Special emphasis is
placed on intoxicant abuse prevention, health education
and support for families at risk of marginalisation.
The parties intend to continue cooperative effort aiming
to find ways of promoting employment among people
with disabilities and enhancing their opportunities
for independent living.
19
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 19
4.11.2009 15:20:19
Occupational safety and health systems are developed
with a view to the creation of a comprehensive occupational
safety scheme.
2.7 Education and civil society
Cooperation in the field of higher education is implemented
in compliance with the Bologna Process. Special attention is
paid to developing compatible Master’s degree and
other Diploma programmes and their administration;
quality assurance and evaluation of professional
guidance at university level are also developed.
Joint projects will be launched to strengthen cooperation
between the business community and universities and to
further the internationalisation of universities by increasing
the mobility of students, teachers and researchers.
The purpose is to encourage universities to engage
in more extensive cooperation in the fields of innovation
and training of teachers and experts specialising
in the environment, forestry and health care.
Cooperation will be continued in the development
of educational governance systems, further training of
teachers and vocational training. The parties take note
of the important role of NGOs in the development of
neighbouring area cooperation, including
the Finno-Ugric process.
2.8 Local administration
Technical assistance projects in this sector focus
on development of local administration based on the
principles of good governance. Among the main themes of
the cooperation is development of municipal management
infrastructure, including issues concerning social welfare
and health care and economic cooperation.
to combat cross-border crime, such as trafficking
in drugs, organised crime and other criminal offences.
In view of this objective, the public authorities
will develop their exchange of information and
implement the required operative measures.
Cooperation between the legal authorities is based
on a cooperation agreement between the Finnish and
Russian Ministries of Justice concluded in 1998 and work
programmes based on that agreement. The courts and
prosecuting authorities also engage in active cooperation.
In the field of prison administration, cooperation
focuses on, for example, training and the development
of alternative punishments.
In the framework of the cooperation, the parties
will exchange views pertaining to their experiences
of issues that concern the operation of a national
system to prevent crime and offences, the fight against
corruption, the provision of legal aid to citizens,
effective enforcement of court decisions and
cooperation in civil and criminal matters.
Additional information:
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND
Unit for Regional Cooperation / ITÄ-30
tel: +358-9-16005
fax: +358-9-1605 6120
e-mail: [email protected]
2.9 Rescue services
The main objective of cooperation in the sector of
rescue services is to ensure that the emergency services
are equipped to be able to cooperate effectively
at the scene of an accident.
Cooperation of rescue services is pursued by virtue
of an Agreement between the Government of Finland
and the Government of the Russian Federation, concluded
in 1994, dealing with cooperation to avert disasters and
to prevent their consequences, and a Protocol between the
Ministry of the Interior of Finland and the Russian
the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination
of Consequences of Natural Disasters, concluded in 2006.
2.10 Legal affairs and law enforcement
The intention is that cooperation between law enforcement
officials will focus on finding ways to coordinate efforts
20
UM_LAY_ENG_Sisus_041109.indd 20
4.11.2009 15:20:20
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND
Unit for Regional Cooperation / ITÄ-30
tel: +358-9-16005
fax: +358-9-1605 6120
e-mail: [email protected]
UM_LAY_ENG_Kansi_041109.indd 4
4.11.2009 16:42:09