Helsinki Region Baltic Sea-Programme 2007-2013

Publications of the Uusimaa Regional Council B 37 - 2007

Uusimaa Regional Council

Publications of the Uusimaa Regional Council B 37 - 2007

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007-2013

Uusimaa Regional Council • 2007

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 1 Publications of the Uusimaa Regional Council B 37 - 2007 ISBN 978-952-448-226-4 ISSN 1236-6803 (paperback) ISBN 978-952-448-227-1 ISSN 1236-6803 (PDF)

Photographs: Tuula Palaste-Eerola Photographs pages 25-33: www.sxc.hu Cover Drawing and layout: Arja-Leena Berg

Kyriiri Oy Helsinki 2007 300 ex

Uusimaa Regional Council | Helsinki Region

Aleksanterinkatu 48 A | FI-00100 Helsinki | Finland tel +358 (0)9 4767 411 | fax +358 (0)9 4767 4300 offi ce@uudenmaanliitto.fi | www.uudenmaanliitto.fi

2 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Foreword

International cooperation is of great importance for regional development. The objectives of the European Union (EU), implemented at regional level, also have a very strong role. In addition to strategy and policy advice, the Union offers funding for interregional and cross-border development. Finnish Uusimaa, also called the Helsinki Region, is itself an active player and a highly appreciated partner in many different international arenas.

Once the Baltic Sea became an inland sea in the European Union, the importance of this region increased in the European community. Due to this fact, the Uusimaa Regional Council found it important to clarify its own aims and to formulate coherent and logical policies for cross-border cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. At the same time, conditions for cooperation have to be created, which will happen in the EU framework or without an EU connection. This Baltic Sea Programme emphasises the focus points of the region’s international cooperation in our own neighbourhood.

The programme composes an information package from the region and its actors, deﬁ nes the aims and focus points of cooperation and makes proposals for proce- dures. The priorities of our foreign partners for the themes of cooperation offer a good starting point, for example, when negotiating about projects to be funded by the Interreg IV A and IV B programmes.

The Baltic Sea programme has been drawn up by the Uusimaa Regional Council. While professionals from different areas have given their support at the steering group, however a special word of thanks for their good work goes to Senior Adviser, Mr Eero Venäläinen, and Project Adviser, Mr Teemu Hentunen.

Aimo Lempinen Executive Director

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 3 4 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Uusimaa Regional Council | Helsinki Region Outline description of publication Aleksanterinkatu 48 A | FIN-00100 Helsinki | Finland tel +385 (0)9 4767 411 | fax +358 (0)9 4767 4300 offi ce@uudenmaanliitto.fi | www.uudenmaanliitto.fi

Author(s)

Uusimaa Regional Council

Title Helsinki Region Baltic Sea-programme 2007-2013

Title of series Publications of the Uusimaa Regional Council B Publication no. Date of publication 37 2007 No. of pages No. of appendices 36 ISBN ISSN 978-952-448-226-4 (paperback), 978-952-448-227-1 (PDF) 1236-6803

Language of publication Summary English Finnish Abstract To respond to the possibilities and challenges of the Baltic Sea region, the Uusimaa Regional Council has developed this Baltic Sea Programme for the years 2007–2013. It fulﬁ ls its own part in formulating the international cooperation priorities for the Helsinki Region. These were also brought up in the Regional Programme and created a ‘Baltic Sea dimension’ for it. The Uusimaa Regional Council wishes to raise six themes, which are based on the aforementioned aims to develop Baltic Sea cooperation. The chosen themes support the Uusimaa Regional Council’s development work. The themes of the Programme are carefully chosen and are only a part of the many topics which arose during the process. The themes are grouped into four visions of the Baltic Sea. Six themes of the Baltic Sea Programme for the Helsinki Region: HEALTHY BALTIC SEA 1. Improving the condition of the Baltic Sea environment NEW HANSA OF BALTIC SEA 2. Improving business operating environment 3. Tightening the cooperation of metropolitan areas 4. Strengthening the accessibility and logistical competitiveness of the Helsinki Region BALTIC SEA, REGION OF COMPETENCE 5. Developing knowledge-based ‘Baltic Sea clusters‘ BALTIC SEA AS WELFARE REGION 6. Creation of a welfare Baltic Sea region The Board of the Uusimaa Regional Council accepted the Baltic Sea Programme on 26th March 2007.

Report written by Eero Venäläinen, Teemu Hentunen

Keywords (topic words) Baltic Sea, Helsinki Region, regional development, international co-operation, Uusimaa

Remarks This publication can also be found on our homepage www.uudenmaanliitto.ﬁ

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 5 Uudenmaan liitto | Nylands förbund Kuvailulehti

Tekijä(t)

Uudenmaan liitto

Nimeke Helsinki Region Baltic Sea-programme 2007-2013 (Uudenmaan Itämeri-ohjelma 2007 - 2013) Sarjan nimeke Uudenmaan liiton julkaisuja B Sarjanumero Julkaisuaika 37 2007 Sivuja Liitteitä 36 ISBN ISSN 978-952-448-226-4 (nid.), 978-952-448-227-1 (PDF) 1236-6803 Kieli, koko teos Yhteenveto englanti suomi

Tiivistelmä Itämeren alueen tarjoamiin mahdollisuuksiin ja haasteisiin vastatakseen on Uudenmaan liitossa laadittu Itämeri-ohjelma vuosille 2007 - 2013. Ohjelma täydentää omalta osaltaan Uudenmaan maakuntaohjelmassa esille tuotuja uusmaalaisia kansainvälisen toiminnan prioriteetteja ja luo sille ”itämerisen ulottuvuuden”.

Uudenmaan liitto haluaa nostaa 6 teemaa lähivuosien keskeisimmiksi Itämeri-yhteistyön aihealueiksi. Valitut teemat tukevat sekä maakuntaohjelman että maakuntasuunnitelman uusmaalaista aluekehitystyötä ja niiden toimintalinjoja. Teemat on ryhmitelty neljän itämerisen tulevaisuusvision alle.

Uudenmaan Itämeri-ohjelman teemat ovat:

Terve Itämeri 1. Itämeren ympäristön tilan parantaminen

Uusi Hansa 2. Elinkeinojen toimintaympäristön parantaminen 3. Metropolialueiden yhteistyön tiivistäminen 4. Uudenmaan saavutettavuuden ja logistisen kilpailuaseman vahvistaminen

Osaava Itämeri 5. Osaamispohjaisten ”Itämeri-klustereiden” kehittäminen

Itämerinen hyvinvointialue 6. Hyvinvointialueen luominen.

Uudenmaan maakuntahallitus hyväksyi Uudenmaan Itämeri-ohjelman kokouksessaan 26.3.2007.

Raportin laatija Eero Venäläinen, Teemu Hentunen

Avainsanat (asiasanat) Itämeri, maakuntaohjelma, kansainvälinen yhteistyö, hankerahoitus, Uusimaa

Huomautuksia

Julkaisusta on verkkoversio kotisivuillamme www. uudenmaanliitto.ﬁ

6 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Contents

Foreword 3

1. Preface 9

2. Themes of Baltic Sea Programme 12 2.1. Summary 12 2.2. Healthy Baltic Sea 12 2.3. New Hansa of Baltic Sea 13 2.4. Baltic Sea, region of competence 16 2.5. Baltic Sea welfare region 17

3. Forms and possibilities of Baltic Sea Cooperation 18 3.1. Networks and aims 18 3.2. Actors of Helsinki Region 19 3.3. Funding instruments 20 3.4. Possible threats 22

4. Baltic Sea Region´s viewpoints as regards cooperation with Helsinki Region 24 4.1. Sweden 25 4.2. Denmark 26 4.3. Germany 27 4.4. Poland 28 4.5. Lithuania 29 4.6. Latvia 30 4.7. Estonia 31 4.8. Russia 32 4.9. Summary of proposed cooperation topics 33

5. Extracts from articles 34

Sources 35

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 7 8 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 1. Preface

Helsinki Region and Baltic Sea region The recently completed Regional Strategic Pro- gramme for the Helsinki Region defi nes the A beloved child has many names – but who really regional development objectives for the period is this child? The Helsinki Region is presented in 2007–2010. The central objective of the Pro- the world with a variety of names such as Uusi- gramme is to increase the welfare of the region maa, the Uusimaa Region, the Capital Region, and to improve the international and national the Metropolitan Area, the Metropolitan Region. competitiveness of the Helsinki metropolitan Also the Swedish names Nyland and Nylands region. The Regional Strategic Programme region are often used in this bilingual region. It examines the development objectives within a is not always known what is being implied. The framework of six themes. These are: business and diversity of the terms impedes the marketing of industry, knowledge, welfare, regional structure the area, lowers its recognition and complicates and traffi c as well as the environment and infra- the production of statistical material. For inter- structure. national cooperation, it is important that one name for the area be consistently used. The aim of The future of the region is linked to the devel- the Uusimaa Regional Council is that the name opment of the whole Baltic Sea area. Affl uent, Helsinki Region is used for the region in its inter- healthy and competitive neighbours are essential national context and it is therefore the only term also for the progress of the Helsinki Region. The used in this publication. entire Baltic Sea area must be able to compete effectively in the global markets for investments The Helsinki Region is an extremely affl uent and and competence. Challenges such as ageing and competitive region both in the context of the Bal- climate changes are already central to the whole tic Sea and internationally. The Helsinki Region Baltic Sea region and will be in the near future has in several recent studies been found to be one and coming decades. of the leading regions in Europe. This success is the result of many factors. Regional policy and an innovative private sector have contributed to the success.

Structural Structural change of change of Climate Energy shortage economy population change

2000 2050

Regional Regional Strategic Programme Plan 4 y 25 y

Picture 1 Time span for global change

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 9 Although the strong innovation capacity of the Baltic Sea Programme for all Helsinki Region should have a positive impact Baltic Sea Programme for the Helsinki Region has on the Baltic Sea region as a whole, the Helsinki been created mainly from the viewpoint of the Region has not been able to fully realise this Uusimaa Regional Council. The Programme is potential. The Helsinki Region should take a the main result from the Helsinki Region in the more active role as a player in the Baltic sphere. Sphere of the Baltic Sea project, which was carried In the future, stronger efforts have to be made to out in 2006 to collect information, development strengthen internationalisation, networking and needs, priorities and ideas, etc., to form the basis cross-border cooperation. for the work. The project was funded by means of regional development funds. The project also The Baltic Sea area is one of the fastest grow- requested foreign partners to submit discussion ing economic regions in Europe. The region’s papers. The project team visited partner regions to competitiveness is also one of the highest as seen discuss issues and opportunities for cross-border in recent comparisons of competitiveness. In cooperation. The discussion papers analysed the these comparisons, the positions of the Baltic Sea strengths and weaknesses of the Helsinki Region countries are mainly in the top twenty group. This as a cooperation partner. is largely due to the knowledge-based economy. However, for the whole potential of the area to be The aim of the Baltic Sea Programme for the Hel- utilised, further actions are required. In addition sinki Region is to promote regional cooperation to the economic development, the quickly chang- and to support the creation of new cross-border ing Baltic Sea region faces enough challenges: for initiatives and proposals. The re-gional develop- example the production of welfare services, the ment objectives of the Helsinki Region imple- utilisation of the open labour market, the control mented in the Baltic Sea sphere are outlined and of oil transportation plus other Baltic Sea environ- prioritised in the Programme. The Programme mental questions. has assembled the most important focal points for Baltic cooperation. To respond to the possibilities and challenges of the Baltic Sea region, the Uusimaa Regional Information about the Baltic Sea Programme for Council has developed this Baltic Sea Programme the Helsinki Region, discussion papers and ongo- for the years 2007–2013. It fulﬁ ls its own part ing activities can be found at the Programme’s in formulating the international cooperation web-site at http://www.uudenmaanliitto.ﬁ ./ priorities for the Helsinki Region. These were also brought up in the Regional Programme and created a ‘Baltic Sea dimension’ for it. The current Programme also aspires to clarify the Baltic Sea regions cooperation requirements as seen from the viewpoint of the Helsinki Region.

10 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Objectives of Uusimaa Regional 3. To tighten the collaboration of the Council central Baltic Sea regions (southern Finland, Sweden, St. Petersburg, The themes of the Baltic Sea Programme Estonia, and Latvia) for the Helsinki Region are based on the following objectives and priorities for 4. To increase the interest of actors in developing the Baltic Sea cooperation. the Helsinki Region in developing cooperation with the southern Baltic 1. To promote Russia and particularly Sea regions (Denmark, Germany, the St. Petersburg region into the Poland, Kaliningrad, Lithuania) core position for the Baltic Sea cooperation in the Helsinki Region 5. To respond to global development and Asian inﬂ uence, among others, 2. To promote the twin region in the economy and logistics of the development of Helsinki and Baltic Sea region. Tallinn

2. 1. 3. Asia 4. 5.

Picture 2. The focus points of the Uusimaa Regional Council’s Baltic Sea collaboration Source: http://europa.eu/abc/maps/index_ﬁ .htm

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 11 2. Themes of Baltic Sea Programme

2.1 Summary The Uusimaa Regional Council wishes to raise six The six themes of the Baltic Sea themes, which are based on the afore-mentioned Programme for the Helsinki Region aims to develop Baltic Sea cooperation. The are: chosen themes support the Uusimaa Regional Council’s development work. The themes of the Healthy Baltic Sea Programme are carefully chosen and are only a 1. Improving the condition of the Baltic part of the many topics, which arose during the Sea environment process. The themes are grouped into four visions of the Baltic Sea: Healthy Baltic Sea, New Hansa New Hansa of Baltic Sea of Baltic Sea, Baltic Sea - region of competence, 2. Improving business operating environ- and Baltic Sea as welfare region. ment 3. Tightening the cooperation of metro- The Programme themes aspire to inﬂ uence devel- politan areas opments over a longer period, but the proposals 4. Strengthening the accessibility and included in the themes are supposed to be imple- logistical competitiveness of the Helsinki mented over the coming few years. These propos- Region als are based on the development challenges which arose in the creation of this Programme and their Baltic Sea, region of competence functions are to act as examples in the support of 5. Developing knowledge-based ‘Baltic these operations. Sea clusters’

The themes are chosen so that possible projects Baltic Sea as welfare region can be ﬁ nanced through the new funding instru- 6. Creation of a welfare Baltic Sea region ments.

2.2. Healthy Baltic Sea

The European Union is currently preparing a sea In addition, oil and other maritime transporta- environment directive. The aim is to clean the seas tions in the Gulf of Finland will increase over the of Europe by the year 2021. The most polluted coming years. Despite implemented measures in- sea in Europe is currently the Baltic Sea. cluding improved oil spillage prevention facilities, the risk of accidents has grown. A bad oil spillage The reduction of the diffused pollution on the in the Gulf of Finland would seriously invalidate Gulf of Finland’s coastal areas has not proceeded all existing plans. Readiness to react quickly at in the desired manner. The greatest diffused pollu- local level in the event of an accident has to be tion caused by agriculture comes from Poland and developed rapidly. the Baltic countries but also from the Helsinki Region’s nutrient emissions and loadings from Also construction, consumption and trafﬁ c create agriculture and scattered settlements, which have a burdensome load on the nature and the whole not decreased as expected. The city of St. Peters- environment of the Baltic Sea region. In the Hel- burg is still the greatest single source of emissions, sinki Region, sulphur emissions have signiﬁ cantly despite great investment in wastewater treatment decreased as a result of fuel choices for energy plants. production and technical solutions. The amount of acid rain which descends from the air onto the

12 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 land is however still high in the Helsinki Region. 2.3. New Hansa of Baltic Sea Two thirds of such acid downfall originate outside The strong inter-regional trade in the Baltic Sea Finland. region today stems from the Hanseatic League and the legacy of the 13th–15th centuries. Over More effective prevention of community waste the longer term, the Baltic Sea’s strong economic and waste recycling gives new business oppor- region, the Baltic Sea’s New Hansa, will handle tunities to the Helsinki Region’s environmental not only a customsless interior market area but business. also a market of integrated services and labour forces. It would make the Baltic Sea area an even Baltic Sea countries face bigger challenges as glo- stronger economic growth region both in the EU bal climate change continues. Regarding green- and globally, and would also integrate the Russian house gas emissions, Baltic Sea countries have a economy into the Baltic Sea’s development area. large number of possibilities for cooperation and Russia’s decision to join the World Trade Organi- shared projects. On the other hand, each Baltic sation (WTO) will standardise business methods Sea country still also has a greater need to look and remove business obstacles. after its own measures related to climate change as particularly different weather disturbances are The Helsinki Region requires additional foreign estimated to increase and strengthen. workers and needs an infl ux of foreign experts. In the fi eld of the so-called face-to-face professions, the Baltic Sea region already forms a central immigration area for foreign workers. Such fi elds are e.g. in the construc-tion and service sectors.

HEALTHY BALTIC SEA - ACTION Within the Baltic Sea area, the Helsinki Region PROPOSALS: forms a signifi cant metropolitan area with a powerful source of knowledge workers and ac- 1. Improving condition of Baltic Sea tors. Other signifi cant Baltic Sea city districts are environment Stockholm, Öresund, Hamburg, Berlin, Warsaw, the Gdansk region, Kaliningrad, Vilnius, Kaunas, · Decreasing diffused pollution by devel- Riga, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Within the glo- oping technology and communication bal economy, the metropolitan areas are versatile and vigorous knowledge and innovation environ- · Restraining climate change ments and economic growth motors. The manner - Technology projects, among others in which the Helsinki Region and other industrial collecting and storing CO2 plus regions in the Baltic Sea are able to integrate into increasing CHP (combined heat and world markets infl uence the development of the electricity production) entire region. It is believed that the population of - Energy saving projects the Helsinki Region will increase by up to 2 mil- - Flood protection projects lion by 2050. The aim of the Uusimaa Regional Council is to develop mutual contacts between · The development of local oil spillage the metropolitan areas not just in the Baltic Sea prevention readiness and capacity region but also more widely in Europe.

The Baltic Sea Region is an important testing site for internationalisation for many small- and

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 13 medium-sized enterprises because the business ing the E18 road and creating a quick railway environment is quite similar in the whole area. connection between the cities of Helsinki and St. New Baltic Sea entrepreneurs will be required in Petersburg. all the Baltic Sea region countries, as well as in the Helsinki Region. In the longer term, other major traffi c projects include: Functional international traffi c connections are a fundamental part of the competitiveness of com- · Rail Baltica (Tallinn-Warsaw-Berlin) panies located in the Helsinki Region. In order to · Motorways of the Seas. have good accessibility, the Helsinki Region needs to have well-functioning road and rail connections The economic importance of tourism is growing which are, in turn, interconnected with harbours fast throughout the Baltic Sea region. In the fu- and airports. An important current initiative is the ture, the signifi cance of barrier-free travelling will construction of a new rail track connection to the grow as an ageing population with its possibility Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Urgent traffi c issues re- to travel and its ability to pay also increases. late to e.g. expanding transit traffi c and diminish- ing long traffi c queues at the Russian border. Topics related to tourism in the Baltic Sea have been examined in three studies commissioned by Traffi c connections are studied more widely e.g. the Uusimaa Regional Council in 2006–2007. in the South Finland Regional Structure 2030 These studies examined Baltic Sea tourism strate- work reports which were produced by the South gies, barrier-free travelling and cruising in the Finland Regional Alliance in 2005 and 2006. In Baltic Sea. these studies, particular attention was paid to the development of the East-West traffi c connections. Lead projects in southern Finland include fi nalis-

14 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 NEW HANSA OF BALTIC SEA - ACTION PROPOSALS:

2. Improving business operation · Strengthening Helsinki-Tallinn environment twin-city cooperation - Creating a functional vision for the · Promoting worker mobility within Helsinki Region and Tallinn in 2050 the Baltic Sea region - Strategic cooperation development - e.g. removing bottlenecks related to projects the recruitment of foreign workers · The strengthening of Baltic Sea 4. Strengthening accessibility and enterprises logistical competitiveness of - e.g. encouraging young entrepreneurs Helsinki Region and internationalisation of small- and medium-sized enterprises through using · Building a fast Helsinki-St. Peters- new forms of networking and interaction burg railway connection · Baltic Sea tourism as an asset · Developing the Helsinki Region as - e.g. a theme year for “Barrier-free Baltic the bridge end for Asian traffi c (fl ight Sea” and rail traffi c) - Creating a logistics centre in Moscow 3. Tightening of cooperation of metropolitan areas

· Strengthening the Baltic Sea brand - Deeper BaltMet cooperation - Global image projects by Greater Helsinki Promotion Ltd · Creation of Finland centre in St. Petersburg

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 15 2.4. Baltic Sea, region of competence alongside with other creative industries are growing rapidly on a global scale and the signifi cance The strengths of Europe and the Baltic Sea area of this to employment is promising. The condi- are neither abundance of natural resources nor tions for the development of creative industries availability of cheap work force. The strength in the Baltic Sea region are very good. The role of is knowledge and innovation capacity. In many Helsinki Region as a strong research and knowl- recent strategies concerning the Baltic Sea region, edge centre should be further strengthened. education has been mentioned as the most important competitiveness factor and the special impor- The Helsinki Region requires more foreign tance of an increase in student exchanges has been students while the knowledge sector needs more emphasised. foreign experts. Better acknowledgement of foreign qualifi cations would increase student mobil- The Helsinki Region is known for its high R & D ity inside the EU. Regional universities and other funding rate. During the EU’s programme period institutions of higher education should be better 2007–2013, the Helsinki Region is participat- known in order to attract more students to the ing in nine centres for excellence clusters and will Helsinki Region. Also connections between insti- coordinate two of them: clusters for living and tutions of vocational education should be further digital contents. The promotion of innovation is developed. also the centre of many funding instruments. The aim of the Helsinki Region is to further improve the region’s international image in research and knowledge. BALTIC SEA, REGION OF New ‘Baltic Sea clusters’ must be constructed. COMPETENCE - ACTION PROPOSALS: The use of renewable energy has become more important due to the threat of climate change and 5. Developing knowledge-based the exhaustion of known energy sources. Bio fuels “Baltic Sea clusters” have risen into the agenda recently and, among others Sweden has published its aim to renounce · Promoting cooperation between oil by the year 2020 and nuclear power already Baltic business clusters to during this decade. strengthen the Baltic dimension - KIBS (Knowledge Intensive Business During the past few years, the KIBS sector Services), creative industries, living and (Knowledge Intensive Business Services) has bio-energy grown particularly quickly. More than half of Finland’s KIBS companies are already situated · Strengthening the networks of within the capital district. As a labour intensive institutions of higher learning sector, the KIBS services are very important for - e.g. promoting the Baltic Sea area as employment. The KIBS companies also support a focus point for student and researcher the development of innovation capacity in other exchanges, a global knowledge hub fi elds. · Cross-border cooperation of However, the small size of the market in Finland innovation and technology parks requires international networking in order to develop the KIBS sector further. Digital contents

16 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 2.5. Baltic Sea welfare region Demographical change is the core challenge for the Baltic Sea countries in the future. At the A change in the population structure and the moment, the situation in the Helsinki Region growth in demands for services require new solu- compares favourably with the other city districts tions and operation models in order to secure a of the Baltic Sea region1. However, the old age welfare state. In Finland, the wish is to maintain dependency ratio changes quickly for the worse as the Nordic welfare state model, which must be the large age groups are retiring. reformed in the future one way or another, so that the present service level can be retained.

Internationalisation, work-related immigration and migration create new concrete challenges for nursing and service situations. In the future, both clientele and personnel will be more multicultural – and mainly from the Baltic Sea region. This will impose new language and operational demands BALTIC SEA, WELFARE REGION on the services. - ACTION PROPOSALS:

Service structures are different in the various 6. Creation of a welfare region Baltic Sea region countries. The division of labour between the public and private sectors as service producers will probably change in the near future. · E-administration applications International cooperation is needed to ﬁ nd and - e.g. distribution of the best Baltic assess new models, service structures and technol- Sea practices ogy solutions. · New roles of the public and The Baltic Sea countries are still far from each private sectors as service providers other in many regards and differences must be ac- - e.g. welfare cluster as an export cepted, but the pace of development will acceler- product ate. Could the concept of the Nordic welfare state gradually change into the concept of a Baltic Sea · Organising services for the welfare region? ageing in the Baltic Sea region - e.g. cross-border solutions Helsinki Region’s competence in the ﬁ eld of welfare technology creates export possibilities for the region’s welfare cluster. Welfare services are a quickly growing area of business.

1 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 17 3. Forms and possibilities of Baltic Sea cooperation

3.1. Networks and aims consciousness about the Baltic Sea’s environmental questions. The strategy includes numerous opera- Among the signifi cant operators in the Baltic tion proposals for developing region’s cooperation Sea region are the Nordic Council of Ministries and, among others proposal for its own budget line. (section 4.2), the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and the Baltic Development Forum The annual gathering of the Development Forum (BDF). The Helsinki EU offi ce in Brussels has (BDF) brings together the Baltic Sea region’s politi- compiled a list of organisations participating in cal leadership and it is a signifi cant forum for the the Baltic Sea region cooperation. The list con- discussion of current Baltic Sea challenges. The tains, all in all, 29 different organisations. The BDF assembly in 2006 was organised in Helsinki. most signifi cant cooperation organisations can be The Helsinki assembly brought strongly forth found on the Baltic Sea Portal at http://balticsea. the will to expand and deepen the cooperation net. between the capital city areas of the Baltic Sea countries. BDF has also presented a list of its own The Baltic Sea Group is the unoffi cial coopera- Baltic Sea aims. tion network of the regional offi ces in Brussels. In the Group, current questions concerning the Within the framework of the Helsinki Komis- Baltic Sea region, for example, are handled. The sion (HELCOM), cooperation between the states Helsinki EU offi ce belongs to the network in ad- for the protection of the Baltic Sea has already dition to the Hanse offi ce, which is the regional been made since 1974. HELCOM is the key offi ce of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, and environmental policy maker in the Baltic Sea the regional offi ces of Southwest Finland, Stock- sphere. HELCOM’s aim is a clean and ecologically holm, Malmö, Central Sweden, Western Sweden, balanced Baltic Sea. HELCOM’s Baltic Sea Ac- Copenhagen, Tallinn, Riga, Vilna, Oslo, Western tion Plan (2007) prioritises the protection of the Pomerania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommer, and Berlin. Baltic Sea in four areas: eutrophication, hazardous substances, biodiversity and maritime activities. Finland has been an initiator in Baltic Sea coop- HELCOM’s Action Plan supports the EU’s mari- eration questions and has tried to raise the Baltic time strategy and is a coordinating programme, Sea as one of the key topics in the EU by means of which aims towards the ecological and sustainable the Northern Dimension policy. Up to now, the development of the Baltic Sea. Northern Dimension has been operating mainly based on three-year action plans and special part- Finnish universities and institutions of higher nerships. The new Northern Dimension politi- learning operate in many international networks. cal document and policy declaration was signed Many of these networks are not formed on a in Helsinki on 24th of November 2006. The geographical basis but are mainly formed on a Northern Dimension should be seen as a regional scientifi c basis. Existing networks in the Baltic Sea refl ection of the overall EU-Russia cooperation region are Baltic University Programme (BUP) and framework. The Baltic Sea Region University Network . There is already a long tradition of cooperation between At the end of 2005, the EU accepted a report the Nordic countries (Nordplus). where the principles for the EU Baltic Sea policy were determined. The European parliament The city of Turku is an active Baltic Sea actor and accepted the Baltic Sea strategy on 16th of No- e.g. the Centrum Balticum foundation was created vember 2006. Its aim is among others to support recently. Its job is to promote cooperation in the the Northern Dimension, make the Baltic Sea the Baltic Sea region and to increase the infl uence of key area for the Northern Dimension and raise the Baltic Sea region in the EU.

18 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 There are three operating Euregio regions in the 3.2 Actors of Helsinki Region Baltic Sea area: Helsinki-Tallinna Euregio’ - Baltic Islands Network and Euroregion Baltic. Other Connections between the Helsinki Region and relevant cooperation organisations are BSSSC other Baltic Sea countries are numerous. There (Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation) and have been countless networks and hundreds of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions implemented cooperation projects. However, mu- (CPMR). In 2007–2009, the BSSSC network is tual interaction, networking and synergy between chaired by the Norway County Network (Øst- the Helsinki Region and the Baltic Sea region has landsamarbeid). Thus, the Norwegian coopera- been rather small. tion themes (traffi c and infrastructure, shipping, sustainable development and safety) also come By improving local coordination and interac- into the Baltic Sea agenda. tion, the Helsinki Region’s profi le as a Baltic actor could be raised. The actors in the Helsinki Region In the table below one can fi nd cooperation pri- have not yet fully utilised the Baltic Sea area. orities of some Baltic Sea actors. Worth noting is Lithuania and Latvia and, above all Germany and the common worry regarding the condition of the Poland, are still relatively unknown cooperation Baltic Sea. partners despite the projects carried out over the past few years.

During the EU’s programme period 2000–2006, plenty of projects between the Helsinki Region and other Baltic Sea countries were implemented.

EU Parliament 2006 Baltic Development HELCOM Action Plan Forum 2006 2007 1. The Baltic Sea as key area of the 1. Strengthening the 1. Decreasing of Northern Dimension Baltic Sea’s position eutrophication policy globally 2. Prevention of 2. The strengthening of 2. Support of the Lisbon hazardous substances the Baltic Sea image strategy 3. Increasing maritime as one of the world’s 3. Strengthening the safety most competitive Baltic Sea brand 4. Preservation of regions 4. Russian integration biodiversity 3. Preservation of the 5. Networking networks Baltic Sea’s unique 6. Themes, among others environment metropolitan areas and trafﬁ c, tourism and the environment

Picture 3. Priorities of Baltic Sea cooperation

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 19 The city of Helsinki has been the most active of 3.3 Funding instruments Baltic Sea actors in the Helsinki Region (based on a sample, Picture 4). Other active project part- There are numerous funding instruments for ners have been the city of Vantaa, the Centre of cross-border cooperation, and it is not always easy Excellence Culminatum, the city of Espoo and for the applicant to fi nd the best possible fund- the Uusimaa Regional Council (e.g. Baltic Palette ing instrument. The EU Structural Funds of the I–II), among others. period 2007–2013 clarifi ed the situation and brought new possibilities for developing the Baltic The most important project partners for the Sea cooperation especially at regional level. Helsinki Region have been the city of Tallinn and the Harjumaa county in Estonia. Other important The table which follows (Table 1) is comprised of partner regions have been the regions of Stock- the essential funding instruments for the Baltic holm, Öresund and Riga. On the other hand, Sea regional cooperation. The EU’s funding is there has been surprisingly little cooperation with signifi cant for both internal and external cross- St. Petersburg, Lithuania, Poland and Germany. border activities. For the Helsinki Region, the most important funding tools for the Baltic Sea The Helsinki Region aims at broadening the region cooperation are the Central Baltic Inter- scope of project partners both spatially and func- reg IV A and the Baltic Sea Region Interreg IV B tionally. programmes and, also, research and innovation framework programmes.

Picture 4. Project activities (sample) by partners of the Helsinki Region in the Baltic Sea region 2000–2006.

20 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Programme Implementation Funding Priorities area 2007–2013

Uusimaa’s development fund The whole Baltic €10m (State) - According to the priorities (not linked to programmes) Sea region of Uusimaa’s regional programme

Cross-border cooperation Central Baltic Sea* €102m (ERDF)2 - A safe and healthy environment Central Baltic Interreg IV A map on the following - An economically competitive page and innovative region - Attractive and dynamic societies

Cooperation between States The whole Baltic Sea €165m (ERDF) - Fostering innovations across Baltic Sea Region Interreg IV B region** map on the BSR the following page. - External and internal accessibility of the BSR - Management of the Baltic Sea as a common resource - Promoting attractive and competitive cities and regions

Cooperation between regions The whole EU area €285m (ERDF) - An innovative and information Interreg IVC society - Conservation of the environment and risks

European neighbourhood and EU’s external borders N/A - See www.intermin.ﬁ partnership instrument ENPI

Competitiveness and innovation The whole EU area €3600m - Entrepreneurship framework programme CIP - An innovative and information society - Energy and trafﬁ c - Ecology and research

EU’s seventh framework The whole EU area €50,521m - Cooperation programme - Ideas - People - Readiness

Ministry of Foreign Affairs North-West Russia €18.2m3 - Environment and nuclear safety funding - Social and health - National society and justice state - Agriculture and forestry

Nordic Council of Ministers The Nordic countries, €4.3m4 - Check www.norden.org North-West Russia, Baltic states

Finland’s ESF programme The whole of Finland €11.4m (ESF)5 - The promotion of work related €2m (ESF) immigration - The expansion of the best practices

South Finland’s ERDF Southern Finland €7.4m (ERDF) - International networking and programme 2007–2013 communication

Table 1. Baltic cooperation funding tools.

2 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 3 Year 2007 4 Exchange of experts and employees/year 5 European Social Fund (ESF)

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 21 * Picture 5. Central Baltic ** Picture 6. Baltic Sea Region Interreg IV A Interreg IV B

In addition to the EU’s funding instruments on region is not its own free islet, but global solutions offer, there are among others Life+, UrbAct, and and events are also reﬂ ected directly in the devel- InterAct programmes and as a new possible fund- opment of this area. ing source, the EU Parliament’s outlined budget line for the Baltic Sea. Other central funding Russia’s economic and political development is sources are among others Finnvera, the Euro- one of the key factors in the development of the pean Bank for Reconstruction and Development Baltic Sea area. A report published by the Finnish (ERBD), European Investment Bank, Nordic Parliament presented three scenarios for Russian Investment Bank (NIB) and the World Bank. future development. The scenarios in the report University cooperation and student exchange pro- are 1) Russia as a global inﬂ uencer 2) A versatile, grammes exist as well the EU’s Life Long Learning democratic mosaic Russia 3) An undemocratic and Tempus IV programmes, as indeed Nordplus. and elite-controlled Russia.

3.4 Possible threats The availability and price of energy are substan- tially connected also to the relationship between The future development of the Baltic Sea is not the EU and Russia. necessarily so positive and straightforward as the recent development of the region’s economy German interest, in particular, towards the Baltic would show. The development is infl uenced Sea is dependant greatly on access to Russian signifi cantly by political, economic and environ- energy sources. A hard winter or an especially dry mental factors. The difference in living standards summer can cause a situation where new solutions between Baltic Sea countries and the communi- for energy saving and electricity suffi ciency must ty’s social and economic inequalities cannot be be considered. skipped when assessing the future. The Baltic Sea

22 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 Russia’s favourable economic development has Threats on a longer time scale caused by climate continued strong and steady for close on ten years changes are recognised worldwide. However, mainly because of the development of energy pric- rising sea levels and powerful winter storms can es. Russia will probably become a WTO member cause damaging fl oods and storm damage to in 2008 and this is expected to increase Russia’s normal life already on a short time scale. For economic integration into the market economy. example, St. Petersburg has over the past few years experienced numerous fl ood levels and The EU’s internal development poses its own underground traffi c has been threatened many questions: Is it possible to fi nd a common un- times among other matters. The sea level has also derstanding on the EU decision-making model?, risen in Helsinki and particularly in Turku. This Will countries accept a new EU constitution?, has impeded harbour operations and threatened and Can the internal decision-making be made residences. more fl exible? The internal political situation of the large EU countries, such as France and Great The Baltic Sea region’s development can also be Britain, infl uence the regeneration possibilities strongly infl uenced by single incidental events. and decision making of the whole union. Germa- Such events can be e.g. the development of a bird ny’s strengthened economy gives the country the fl u epidemic, a large oil spillage on the Baltic Sea, possibility to consider EU questions instead of its a global economic event disturbance or a break in own interior politics. Internet connections.

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 23 4. Baltic Sea Region´s viewpoints as regards cooperation with Helsinki Region

Even though the Baltic Sea region is one of the mutual cooperation. Also the central Baltic Sea leading areas in the world in economic growth, states and regions have already for a long time level of education, competitiveness and wellbeing. been involved in tight cooperation (among others However, the region does not have a strong global the Baltic palette) and are prepared to undertake it brand of its own. Therefore, a new strong Baltic further. Russia and particularly the St. Petersburg Sea brand is required. region are the key players in developing cooperation. The Baltic Sea states, regions, universities and organisations are in many ways networked and In order to make this Programme work, coopera- have organised their cooperation. Still differences tion themes raised by the Baltic Sea metropolitan can be seen in the interests of various areas to region’s themselves have been mapped. These increase Baltic Sea cooperation and to prioritise cooperation themes have mostly been formulated cooperation requirements. Generally, it can be in meetings with the key partners during the year said that the southern states of the Baltic Sea 2006. This chapter reviews Baltic Sea cooperation region (Lithuania, Poland, Kaliningrad, Germany, themes from the viewpoint of these actors. Denmark) focused more strongly on developing

EU Funding, ND, Baltic Sea Programme

Baltic countries Sweden, Denmark Helsinki Region Limited resources Access to global markets Motivation/capacity to Regional Strategic Plan Innovation leaders innovate Regional Programme Baltic Sea programme Poland Germany Large population and Economic power in agricultural sector center of Europe Modernisation agenda Employment and immigration agenda Russia Economy, innovation Welfare, security Environment, logistics

Strengths Baltic Sea Region Weaknesses of Baltic Sea Region’s - Educational system - Fragmentation of institutions and initiatives - Research & development - Small home market - Security and safety - Eutropic sea area - Knowledge Economy, innovation framework - Administrative and geographical borders - Competitiveness, economic growth - Ageing population, shortage of skilled labour

Picture 7. Baltic sea Regions operational environment.

24 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 4.1. Sweden

From the point of view of the Helsinki Region, In Sweden’s tourism programme 2006–2010, the there are two major cooperation regions in Swe- Baltic Sea is not noted separately but the focus den. One is the Stockholm region and the other point is to market among other things conference one is the Öresund region of Malmö and Copen- tourism, large international events and trade- hagen, which is handled in more detail within the marks. Danish section.

The status of the Stockholm region is emphasised more because the new Central Baltic Programme enables cooperation between the Helsinki region and the Stockholm region better than before. Swedish cooperation themes Sweden has put a lot of effort over the past few years in many ways so as to develop the Baltic Sea Stockholm region cooperation. Traditionally, Sweden (the Stock- · Networking knowledge centres holm region) has had a fi rm relationship with on promoting innovations and Latvia and especially with the city of Riga. The international business Stockholm region has an offi ce in both St. Peters- · Development of large city burg and Warsaw. The St. Petersburg offi ce was strategies founded in 1997 while the offi ce in Warsaw was · Improvement of environmental opened in May 2006. The aim of both offi ces is to quality promote and enable contacts between the Stock- · Raising the Stockholm-Helsinki holm region and the target countries. region as an international economy, excellence and innovative Recently an information bank and a clearinghouse junction for registering and sharing experiences of coopera- · Benefi ting from the strengthening tion in the Baltic Sea region was founded in Visby, of the Russian economy see http://www.balticgrowing.se. It focuses on four main themes: cooperation, trade, traffi c and the environment.

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 25 4.2. Denmark In Denmark, the city of Copenhagen as well as It sponsors cooperation with the Nordic Dimen- the Bornholm region have traditionally been sion Working Group on Innovation (NDWGI) cooperation partners to the Helsinki Region. As a and participates in the promotion of the so-called result of the renewing of the regional administra- Baltic Sea Initiative (BSI). The Nordic Ministry tion in Denmark, there is now a need to create Council has ofﬁ ces in most countries of the Baltic new cooperation forums and forms. Sea.

The Öresund area is from the viewpoint of the The Baltic Sea is not especially noted in Den- Helsinki Region an interesting cooperation area. mark’s tourism strategy, but the Visit Denmark The Copenhagen region and Malmö from Swe- trademark is hoped to raise interest in Denmark den belong to this Danish-Swedish cooperation worldwide. Copenhagen is the centre of cruise area. Öresund unites mainland Europe, Scandi- traffi c in the Baltic Sea area. navia and the Baltic Sea regions. As Scandinavia’s most densely populous area, Öresund can operate in many ways as an example for cross-border cooperation and different Euroregios. Coopera- tion in Öresund area has been developed actively since 1993 guided by the Öresund Committee. Danish cooperation themes It has made possible the ceation e.g. of the Öre- sund University and the Öresund Science Region (ÖSR). The completion of Öresund Bridge in Öresund area 2000 has signifi cantly increased connections be- Triple helix concept development of tween Denmark and Sweden: e.g. in 2006, already the following fi elds: 67% of the traffi c between the countries crosses · Medicine and biotechnology the bridge. · Communication technology · Food industry and Environ- The Helsinki Region’s cooperation with Denmark mental science has been up to now based on Nordic coopera- · Logistics tion and tradition as well as cooperation between · Design higher institutions. The headquarters of the Nor- dic Ministry Council is situated in Copenhagen. The Nordic Ministry Council has also spread the cooperation fi eld throughout Nordic countries.

26 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 4.3. Germany

There are several potential cooperation regions in Germany. Hamburg and Berlin as metropolitan areas are very promising from the viewpoint of possible cooperation. The northern coast of Ger- German cooperation themes many is also an important area for the Baltic Sea cooperation, but the coast is proﬁ led more on the traditions of the Hanseatic Legue. Schleswig-Holstein · Culture cooperation German interest in the Baltic Sea is connected · Development of agriculture especially with Russia and, of course, is based on · Educational cooperation energy cooperation and trade. Historical bonds · Health care are also important (Kaliningrad). The State of · Innovation cooperation Schleswig-Holstein is particularly keen on Baltic Sea cooperation and, therefore, it has cooperation Hamburg partners from different countries in the region. · Knowledge (Centre of Knowledge For the Helsinki Region, connections to Germany in The North, Welcome To are important, for example, because of ferry routes Hamburg) from Helsinki to Lübeck and Rostock. Rostock and Lübeck The Baltic Sea is not a special target area in Ger- · Tourism man tourism strategy as its aim is a ‘worldwide presence’. Instead, old Hanseatic League cities Berlin and Brandenburg such as Rostock and Lübeck are promoting cul- · Information technology and tural traditions in their tourism efforts. accessibility · Environmental technology Germans have had an active role in different Baltic Sea regional networks, among others in the BSSSC and the Baltic Region’s Chamber of Com- merce. Hamburg has opened their own ofﬁ ce in St. Petersburg.

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 27 4.4. Poland In Poland, there are many growing metropolitan regions. Despite this, Poland has until now been for the Helsinki Region quite an unknown cooperation partner. From the viewpoint of the Polish cooperation themes Helsinki Region, the most interesting target is the Warsaw region, Mazovia. The cooperation rela- Mazovia (Warsaw region) tionships between the Helsinki Region and Mazo- · Enterprise cooperation and via will be tightened by a new mutual cooperation European labour markets agreement. The aim of the agreement is to create · Culture new cooperation possibilities between the regions · Planning and developing of the capital cities of Finland and Poland. metropolitan areas · The environment and sustainable The area of Pomerania, which includes the town development trio of Gdansk, Sopoti and Gdynia, is also an · Information society active Baltic Sea actor. The conclusion of regular · Logistics among others the shipping between Helsinki and Gdansk decreased Via Baltica, Rail Baltica and Finnish contacts. Finnair opened a direct ﬂ ight airport areas connection from Helsinki to Gdansk in the spring of 2007. Pomerania (Gdansk area) · European job markets Poland is further strongly reforming both its · Student exchanges economic structure and infrastructure sectors. For · The environment and sustainable the actors in the Helsinki Region, there are a lot development of possibilities particularly in the ﬁ eld of environ- · Accessibility mental technology.

28 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 4.5. Lithuania

The targets of interest in Lithuania are above all Lithuanian cooperation themes the large city districts of Vilnius and Kaunas. Lithuania often regards these towns as one func- Vilnius tional metropolitan area. · Development of human capital · Regional structure, public In Lithuania, the development requirements of transport and regional planning regional and local district administrations are · Labour markets in the Baltic Sea very similar to the needs of the Helsinki Region. region The city of Vilnius has tightened its cooperation · Waste management relationship with Helsinki through the BaltMet · Creating of fi eld job incubators project. Kaunas and Tampere are themselves twin · Biotechnology cities and there has been mutual cooperation · E-government and e-services over the past few years been in the fi eld of e-administration, among other areas. E-infrastructure Kaunas is ready but the capacity is not fully in use. A · Public transport Lithuanian association of municipalities has good · Labour markets in the Baltic Sea connections with independent actors in Belarus. region · Waste management Lithuania is at the stage of seeing very strong eco- · Renewable energy sources and nomic growth. Vilnius and Kaunas have already energy saving noted that uncontrolled growth brings not only · E-government prosperity but also problems such as traffi c jams, · Activation of entrepreneurship environmental problems and social inequality. especially in the young age groups Lithuania is for the Helsinki Region perhaps the and the creation of enterprise most unknown of all the Baltic countries. This support services lack of knowledge is also true the other way round · Utilising Via Baltica in tourism – Finland is not really known in Lithuania. business

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 29 4.6. Latvia

The metropolitan area of Riga is for the Helsinki The Riga region has a strong desire to implement Region the most interesting cooperation area in concrete projects instead of preparing strategies Latvia. and visions. Riga has in use their own developed and efﬁ cient project administration system, which The role of Riga as a cooperation partner will has proven very workable and is nowadays in use increase in the future because the Central Baltic in some other towns also. programme makes it possible to expand EU-funded cooperation between the areas. Traditionally, Riga has a good relationship with both Sweden and Germany.

Challenges to Riga’s future development are con- Latvian cooperation themes nected to metropolitan area questions and are similar with Helsinki’s metropolitan area. Strong Riga economic growth and the consequential increase · Residence shortage and prices in the number of cars and traffi c jams, the rise in · Energy saving, renewable energy housing prices and environmental problems are sources and decreasing pollution also well known problems in the Helsinki Region. of air · Waste management Riga’s gateway position to Russia is like that of · Development of project Finland’s and the Helsinki Region’s. Riga is a administration information skills signifi cant logistic and traffi c junction within the · Science parks Baltic sphere. Riga’s position as a traffi c nodal · Aiding small- and medium-sized centre will be strengthens by Via Baltica and the enterprises and promoting preparation of Rail Baltica in the near future. entrepreneurship Latvia’s strength in its relationship with Russia lies · Public-private cooperation in the population, nearly half of which speak Rus- sian as a mother tongue.

30 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 4.7. Estonia

Estonia is, by volume, the Helsinki Region’s most connections between Helsinki and Tallinn also important project cooperation partner in the make possible daily and/or weekly work trips and Baltic Sea area. In particular, the city of Tallinn the offer of cross-border services. and the Harju county are the most important cooperation areas due to their close proximity. This To Estonia, the Baltic Sea region tourism is a cooperation is partly organised by the Helsinki- signifi cant source of livelihood marketing it as the Tallinn Euregio established in 1999. The Helsinki Visit Estonia brand. The Baltic Sea is noted sepa- Region actors should have utilised Tartu’s knowl- rately in the Estonian tourism strategy. Coopera- edge potential better and at an earlier stage. tion with different countries is aimed at based on different themes. The Tallinn harbour is the Baltic Cooperation partners in Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio Sea’s busiest passenger harbour. are the City of Helsinki, the Uusimaa Regional Council, the city of Tallinn, the Harju county and the Union of Harju County Municipalities. Key objectives of the new Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio Action Plan 2007–2009 are sustainable regional Estonian cooperation themes planning, the creation of a joint business environment and the promotion of knowledge. A science Harju county and art twin town theme promotes, inter alia, · E-government cooperation by institutes of higher learning and · Culture tourism and Innovative creative fi elds. labour markets · Motivation of new entrepreneurs Many Finnish and particularly Helsinki Region · Welfare services for the elderly companies have entered the Estonian market already. A signifi cant part of the foreign labour Tartu force of the Helsinki region is Estonian. In some · Culture tourism and innovative business branches, such as construction and labour markets health care, their share of labour force is notice- · Marketing of the Baltic Sea region able. The expected uncontrolled labour force rush · E-government to Finland, however, did not materialise when Estonia joined the European Union. Quick traffi c

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 31 4.8. Russia

The city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad sitate large investments in among others traffi c region in Russia offers the greatest cooperation and tourism services. For example St. Petersburg’s possibilities and challenges in the Baltic Sea area Pulkovo airport and passenger harbour will come for the Helsinki Region. Kaliningrad is another to be renovated and expanded. subject of the Russian Federation in the Sea Baltic area, although it is separate from Russia. Russian infl uence outside its own borders is also Altogether, these three regions contain around 7 growing. According to a recent report (Sitra, million people. Besides the Baltic Sea regions, the 2006), Russia’s infl uence in the Finnish economy Uusimaa Council has functioning connections is already now signifi cant in many sectors and with the Moscow region. will increase further. Russians are the greatest immigration group in Finland and a potential The attraction of St. Petersburg, the largest me- work related immigration source also in the future tropolis of the Baltic Sea region and the fourth besides Estonia. Russia has risen to become one of largest city in Europe, is growing. St. Petersburg the two greatest chambers of commerce groups, has a particularly strong position as a historical together with Germany. and cultural metropolis and, furthermore, as a city of higher education. St. Petersburg’s market, knowledge and innovation potential should come to be utilised by the Helsinki Region better than before. Finnish investments in the St. Petersburg St. Petersburg cooperation region are growing. Helsinki has recently con- themes cluded already their sixth cooperation agreement with St. Petersburg. · Innovation and/or technology parks and cultural industry/ Governor Valentina Matvienko has outlined St. culture parks Petersburg’s key objectives for Baltic Sea coop- · Joint university study eration. Important themes for St. Petersburg are programmes e.g. traffi c and logistics, innovations, scientifi c · Climate change/Kioto protocol research, tourism, labour force mobility and also and oil spillage risk prevention safe energy sources. · E-government

St. Petersburg’s aim is to be one of the top ﬁ ve tourist destinations in Europe, which will neces-

32 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 4.9. Summary of proposed cooperation topics

The table below describes the key priorities of the cooperation partners. Instead, the improvement of themes of the Baltic Sea Programme related to the accessibility and logistical position, for example, views of cooperation partners on cooperation. The is not as prominent. The themes of the Baltic Sea development of new knowledge based clusters, the Programme for the Helsinki Region respond well prevention of the Baltic Sea’s environmental risks to the presented key objectives of the different and the improvement of business environment are areas. the most interesting themes among the potential

Sweden Denmark Germany Poland Lithuania Latvia Estonia Russia

Improving business operating environment X XX X XX

Tightening the cooperation of metropolitan areas X X X

Strengthening the accessibility and logistical competitiveness of XX the Helsinki Region

Developing knowledge-based X X XX X XXX ‘Baltic Sea-clusters’ Creating a welfare region X XXX

Improving the condition of the Baltic Sea environment X X X X X X

Table 2. Summary of the focus points for cooperation.

Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013 : 33 5. Extracts from articles

In order to create this Programme, a few foreign Strengths of Helsinki Region experienced Baltic Sea cooperation specialists were asked for an article on the Helsinki Region’s The Helsinki Region is a well-developed area, position within the Baltic Sea sphere. In these which promotes activities in the Baltic Sea area. articles, the specialists considered the Helsinki The good practices and experiences of Finland Region’s strengths and weaknesses as a cooperation and the Helsinki Region have to be disseminating partner within the Baltic Sea area. The following to the whole Baltic Sea region in order to build is an extract culled from the articles – the essential a common welfare area. The Helsinki Region information of note. The complete articles can be has been capable of successful concrete bilateral read at http://www.uudenmaanliitto.fi ./ cooperation both with Sweden and other Baltic Sea countries. Weaknesses of Helsinki Region The Helsinki Region’s geographical closeness to From a Swedish viewpoint, the Helsinki Region the metropolitan area of St. Petersburg favours has not used its gateway position to the east the development of both business and tourism. enough. St. Petersburg is only 400 km away from Helsinki and there are good highway, railway and fl ight The Helsinki Region is generally unknown and is connections, which will be even improved upon it not easy to fi nd statistical information or bro- over the coming years. chures on it. The population of the Helsinki Re- gion is small compared with many other regions The Helsinki Region’s future expectations are in Europe and its internationality makes it also based greatly on its innovation potential. As one vulnerable to fl uctuating international changes. of Europe’s primary technology development New EU member countries (Latvia, Lithuania, regions, the Helsinki Region has every chance to Poland) challenge the position of the Helsinki develop into an innovation centre known world- Region (Finland) as the gateway to Russia. wide in the way of Silicon Valley has. As one of its strengths, there is close mutual cooperation It is also worth remembering that in spite of the between numerous different research institu- fact that trade between the two countries (Fin- tions and also a wide range of different industrial land and Russia) is growing constantly. There are production. certain doubts about the long-term nature of the process as competition between Finnish (Helsinki, The Helsinki Region’s effort in R & D operations in particular) and Russian seaports is intensifying. creates a strong basis for Russian cooperation. The interests in cooperation of higher education An example of this will be the Technopark in St. in the Helsinki Region with Russian universities Petersburg of which Technopolis Oy is a central do not often equal that of other such institutions player. The international experience of the Hel- from other regions in Finland. sinki Region creates a good base for Finnish-Rus- sian technology, science and educational coopera- The attractiveness of the Helsinki Region is fad- tion. The experience to-date offers possibilities for ing due to the tightening competition of the spa developing an innovation environment and the business on both Finnish and Russian sides. Also, arrival of an educated labour force to the Helsinki Russian shopping trips to Finland will decrease Region. On the other hand, it makes possible to with the emergence of large shopping centres in export technology and business solutions to Rus- Russia. sia.

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36 : Helsinki Region Baltic Sea Programme 2007–2013

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