EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN is a partnership consisting of political representatives at local and regional level in the four northernmost of Sweden - Jämtland, Västernorrland, Västerbotten and . This document should be seen as a follow up to the position paper on the future European Cohesion policy presented in October 2001.

EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN is taking active part in the debate on the future European Cohesion policy and emphasises the importance of regional participation in the planning and implementation of all Community policy.

EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN stresses the importance of solidarity and stability as basic principles for structural policy in the context of an enlarged Union. Such a policy should aim for balanced development in all European , addressing also the complexity of the problems facing areas with permanent and natural handicaps, including sparsely populated regions.

EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN recognises that there is a need for an integrated approach at European level, where cohesion and co-ordination must be increased between all community and domestic policies having influence on regions in order to achieve sustainable development.

Setting the scene Areas as sparsely populated as the northern parts of Sweden and are not to be found in any other part of , with sparsity of population as low as 2 inhabitants per square km in some areas. One has also to take into account the accumulation of other permanent geographical and demographical constraints such as:

- Extreme remoteness, with long distances within the as well as to markets - Ageing population and out-migration in the region as a whole - Limited labour market possibilities - High costs and high dependency on transport and infrastructure - High costs related to service and local community functions

Out-migration and diminishing numbers of people in these areas are becoming a major problem for the near future, as this will not only result in the closing of public services and weakened competitiveness, but will also restrict access to the unique nature of Europe’s last wilderness.

European added value Despite the geographical and demographical constraints in Northern Sweden, the region does have assets and opportunities such as:

- Unique opportunities for recreation and exploration of nature - Natural resources in the form of minerals, forestry, hydropower - Well-developed IT infrastructure - High quality natural environment - Highly advanced knowledge and skills - Cultural and traditional heritage - Home to the indigenous peoples of Europe, the Sami people

Experience gained in the northern part of Sweden, in for example ICT solutions in telemedicine and distance learning, should be shared with other regions in Europe facing similar problems. One can use as models the good practices in northern Sweden's traditional and innovative fields such as the wood and pulp industry, mineral exploration, space research and bio-fuels. EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN would make the following contributions to the debate:

- EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN points out that permanent and natural geographical handicaps as indicated in the Second Cohesion report have to be addressed not only in the EU Structural Policy but also in all Community policy, with greater coherence with competition policy, environmental policy and transport policy which have considerable implications to regional development in northern Sweden.

- EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN welcomes a reform of the Community Agricultural Policy, broadening it to include rural development measures aimed at a wider range of activities, not only those related to farming.

- EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN can conclude that interventions from the structural funds in the region have contributed in making progress on regional development. However, integrated regional strategies have to be further developed and accompanied by long-term investments. The market will not provide the investments that are needed further to stimulate development in this region, which is why a EU regional policy integrated with national regional policies is of vital importance.

- EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN points out that geographical and demographical constraints will not disappear, and in order to ensure attractiveness, competitiveness and growth in these areas, continued support is necessary. The basis for support to extremely sparsely populated areas was laid out in the criteria of low population density in the accession treaty for Sweden, which must be maintained.

- EUROPAFORUM NORTHERN SWEDEN would like to explore the possibility of different approaches to the implementation of future regional policy in the context of simplification. Northern Sweden should be considered a suitable region for testing tripartite contracts, building on the Regional Growth Programmes already in place.