Contact information Euregio Karelia www.euregiokarelia.com

Regional Council of North Karelia Northern Ostrobothnia (Council of Oulu Region) www.pohjois-karjala.fi www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi Risto Poutiainen, Region Mayor Pauli Harju, Region Mayor [email protected] [email protected] Timo Leinonen, Manager of Cross-Border Hanna Honkamäkilä, Manager of International Affairs Cooperation [email protected] [email protected]

Regional Council of Kainuu Republic of Karelia www.kainuunliitto.fi www.gov.karelia.ru Pentti Malinen, Region Mayor Dmitry Rodionov, Deputy Prime-Minister of the Government [email protected] of the Republic of Karelia Dmitry Kislov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Katja Sukuvaara, Regional Development and Industry Manager [email protected] [email protected] EUREGIO KARELIA - A DRIVING FORCE FOR CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION

Euregio Karelia is a cooperation area that in- cludes the Finnish regions of Kainuu, North Ka- relia and Northern Ostrobothnia as well as the Re- public of Karelia in Russia. The common aim is to promote the vitality of the area by strengthening cross-border cooperation through international collaboration programmes and projects.

By 2020, Euregio Karelia aspires to become a di- verse area characterised by active cross-border in- teraction and cooperation. Due to the well-func- Photo: Irina Romanova Photo: Laura Mäki tioning and extended road network and increased capacity of the border-crossing checkpoints, traf- fic now flows smoothly across national borders. Infrastructure and connections – Euregio Karelia is connected by three international border-crossing check- The efficient deployment of expertise and -re Social wellbeing – Euregio Karelia works for good points: Niirala-Värtsilä, Vartius-Lyttä and Kuusamo-Suonperä. The first two border-crossing checkpoints are also sources in the area contribute to people’s well- neighbourly relations and the harmonious interac- open for rail traffic. In addition to developing the existing border-crossing checkpoints and their facilities, the -Re being as well as economic growth. tion of cultures and languages in everyday life. The public of Karelia is promoting the internationalisation of a border-crossing checkpoint Parikkala-Syväoro. Eure- environment, health and social care, and culture are all gio Karelia supports close cooperation between the border and customs officials. An important goal is to extend important themes of cooperation. Special attention is and diversify road, rail, water and air transportation networks and services and increase the optical fibre connec- being paid to young people’s interests, education and tion capacity across the border. work opportunities. The area must provide employ- ment, a well-functioning service infrastructure and recreational activities for its inhabitants.

Education and research support innovations and business life, and they bring vitality to the area. The environment and sus- tainable development are concerns in all cross-bor- der cooperation efforts.

Photo: RAOS Voima Oy Photo: Juha Sarkkinen, Oulun yliopisto Photo: Ivan Sorokin, Petrozavodskmash

Economic life – Euregio Karelia desires to build a good operational environment for companies Promotion of interests – Euregio Karelia sup- and clusters. The aim is to increase competi- Photo: Jorma Airola ports the wellbeing of its inhabitants and pro- tiveness, attract investments, promote innova- motes the area’s common interests at national tions and diversify the economy. Euregio Kare- Euregio Karelia aspires to reduce prejudices, increase and international forums. Euregio Karelia plays lia supports cooperation between techno parks interaction and cooperation, and encourage people to an important role in advancing cooperation be- and it promotes deployment of the latest tech- learn more about the languages and cultures of their tween Finland, Russia and the European Union. nology in the area. neighbours. Photo: Suomen Ilmakuva Oy