Future of the cross border cooperation between Russian Federation, European Union and Norway discussed at the Annual Conference in Russia
The main objective of the conference is to build up pragmatic and mutually beneficial relations between border states and regions and it is a unique platform for dialogue in order to discuss the key issues of cross-border and interregional cooperation involving high level officials from the Russian Federation, the European Union and Norway. Participants discussed current state of cross-border cooperation, possible trends and models of its further development, ways of joint planning of border areas development. Special attention was paid to the results of the ENPI CBC Programmes 2007-2013.
In several panels of the Conference word was given to national authorities of the programme to present issues of importance of each country:
In opinion of Mr Sergey Vahrukov, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation the Conference is key instrument for strengthening cross border cooperation and Russian Federation is going to continue to co-finance future cross border cooperation programmes. He also named main directions of support in the future – ecology, transport infrastructure, energy and small and medium entrepreneurship with an aim to improve life in border area and harmonize of living standards on both sides of the border.
Mr Priidu Ristkok,Head of Regional Development Department, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Estonia expressed that cross border cooperation is important instrument for regional development and thanks to this cooperation the scope of mutual benefits between Estonia and Russia has increased. Admitting that the current trilateral programme has shown great interest of regional players, Mr Ristkok confirmed readiness to prepare new Estonia-Russia cross-border cooperation programme till the end of year 2014.
Ms Iruma Kravale, the Director of the Department of Development Instruments, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia in her speech presented analyses and lessons learned from the existing Estonia – Latvia – Russia programme 2007-2013, stressing the importance of relevant partnerships, more focused priorities and simplification of the Program implementation procedures in the next period, in order to ensure more effective and tangible results and to encourage cooperation between institutions on different levels, including the businesses. By mutual decision the main directions for Latvia and Russia cooperation already the third period will be devoted to promoting cross-border movement, regional competitiveness, business development and sustainable use of natural resources, therefore ensuring continuity and synergy of the investment.
Ms Silja Lipp, Adviser, European Territorial Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Estonia in her presentation stressed the great importance of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument CBC programmes as a real step forward. She also mentioned that cooperation is “like a swing” – two ropes should be on the same height to have good results. The future support should be more focused and result oriented, large scale projects will have a crucial role. EU and programme rules and national legislation should be combined in best proportions. It is crucial to involve Member States in preparation of EU and RF Financing Agreement.
On the panel “Lessons learned from the existing ENPI Programmes” Ms Unda Ozoliņa - the Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme together with others shared the positive aspects of implementation, expressed concern about the implementation schedule of infrastructure projects. Almost all programmes are facing increase of workload due to preparations of future programmes in parallel of implementation of existing programmes. Need of rising the capacity in Joint Technical Secretariats was expressed by Paivi Ilves from the South-East Finland – Russia ENPI CBC Programme.
Added value of the Conference was live and visual presence of five ENPI CBC Programmes with participation of Russia – Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC, South-East Finland-Russia ENPI CBC, Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC, Karelia ENPI CBC and Kolarctic ENPI CBC. Latest publications, visuals of the European Cooperation Day like posters and bookmarks, magnets, all programme candies – all being prepared especially for the Conference, were offered to the participants of the Conference in the joint ENPI exhibition, which was organized under the sign of the European Cooperation Day 2013.
Information Managers of five ENPI CBC Programmes with participation of Russia on duty, on 20 September 2013 in Petrozavodsk:
Main discussed topics of the IX Conference were:
• Prospects of the European Neighbourhood Instrument after 2013 and lessons of the programme period 2007-2013
• Cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Outcomes of the Russian Presidency in thе Council of the Baltic Sea states and first steps of Finland
• Opportunities for the synchronization of strategies, action plans and development programmes of the neighbourhood areas
• Economic and social development experience of border areas
Participants of the Conference represented local, regional and state authorities, international organizations, business and expert community of Russia, neighbouring European countries and the European Union in general.
Organizers of the Conference: Ministry of regional development of the Russian Federation, Ministry of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, the North-West Development and Investment Promotion Agency, Centre of Cross-Border and Interregional Cooperation of Saint-Petersburg branch of the Higher School of Economics, Government of the Republic of Karelia, European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Cross-Border Cooperation Programme "Karelia".