Forum of Cross Border Regions held in Pskov, Russia on 26 May

On 26 May Forum of Cross Border Regions was launched in Pskov for the second time. Forum was devoted to the development of the potential of cross border regions.

The main aim of the Forum was to discuss actual issues and directions of the development of cross border regions of Russia and neighboring countries, to foster socio-economic development of border areas with the help of integrational projects in the sphere of business, social development and all levels authorities’ interaction.


The event took place in Pushkinskiy Drama Theatre. This year representatives of business communities, public organizations, federal and regional authorities from Russia, Belorussia, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Norway, France participated in the Forum.

                   


Pskov region is the natural gates between Russia and other countries, and Forum of cross border regions is a unique platform for the discussion of the mutually beneficial cooperation. I am sure that this event will be one more step to strengthen cooperation on the level of regions and countries” – noted Vice Governor of Pskov Region, Sergey Pernikov, in his welcome words.


                    


Forum agenda included holding six round tables on different themes: from the development of customs-logistics complex of border regions till the development of cluster initiatives and industrial cooperation. Separate round table was devoted to the cross border cooperation (CBC) Programmes.


                    

In the frames of round table “Cross Border Cooperation Programmes as the Tool of Border Regions Development” Rafael Abramyan, Director of the Department for Development of Interregional and Cross-Border Cooperation of the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, highlighted the positive experience of Pskov region participating in CBC Programmes Russia-EU. He has emphasized that for European Direction the experience of Pskov region is unique. “The best practices should be taken and spread over other Russian border areas. Speaking about borders, we mean additional opportunities, resources, which should be used as advantage by the border regions” – noted Mr. Abramyan.


                  



At the end of the Forum there was organized integrational platform for the potential partners of CBC Programmes 2014-2020. Regional offers on participation in CBC Programmes were presented. Also presentations from Estonia-Russia and Latvia-Russia CBC Programmes 2014-2020 introduced the audience with the ongoing development and procedure of launching the bilateral Programmes.