European Strategy 2017 - 2021 Eastern Norway County Network is a political alliance between the eight counties in Eastern Norway – Akershus, Buskerud, Hedmark, Oppland, Oslo, Telemark, Vestfold and Østfold Photos: © Scanstock Photo Production: Grafisk senter Akershus fylkeskommune November 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 Basis for the European policy work 6 3.0 Vision and objectives of the European policy work 8 3.1 Strategies and target sectors 8 3.2 Important political focus areas for joint efforts 12 3.3 Key topics of the European policy work 13 3 4 1. 1. INTRODUCTION Eastern Norway County Network’s European policy for ENCN’s work. The chairmanship will be implemented strategy is intended as a tool for joint European policy as a separate project within the framework of ENCN. work via Eastern Norway County Network and as a support platform for the regional authorities’ European Promoting the region’s interests in the European policy involvement1. The regional authorities in Eastern Norway context is demanding in terms of resources, and it is have long been engaged in cross-border cooperation, often a challenge for the individual regional authority to both individually and jointly within the framework of allocate sufficient resources and expertise to this work. Eastern Norway County Network. As a result of the Through Eastern Norway County Network, the regional counties’ location in Northern Europe, at the intersection authorities’ European policy efforts can be strengthened between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, the involve- by exchanging information and knowledge, coordinating ment targets nearby countries and regions in particular the available expertise and resources, sharing tasks – the Nordic countries, the North Sea region and the and taking advantage of the networks that exist among Baltic Sea region. regional and municipal authorities. Eastern Norway County Network’s Strategy 2016–2019 The responsibility for following up and implementing states that Eastern Norway County Network shall ENCN’s European policy strategy is placed with the contribute to strengthening Eastern Norway’s position Political Committee on International Relations, as a sustainable and competitive European region with supported by the Working Group International Affairs. a strong international focus and involvement. In order to Eastern Norway County Network’s secretariat holds achieve this, Eastern Norway County Network will make coordinating and executive responsibilities. The work is long-term, targeted and rational efforts to ensure that dependent on an open and positive dialogue with the Eastern Norway: Oslo Region European Office (ORE). is seen as a region that is highly committed to Statements and consultation submissions on behalf of human rights, freedom and peace Eastern Norway County Network are primarily issued via the Regional Cooperation Board. Eastern Norway County is perceived as a green, sustainable and smart Network’s secretariat acts as the national contact point region that is a forerunner in developing and for the Baltic Sea Region Programme (Interreg B). implementing state-of-the-art technology succeeds in developing a world-class infrastructure has businesses and industry that are highly competitive at the international level has a modern and innovative public sector In the period 2017–2018, Eastern Norway County Network (ENCN) will hold the chairmanship and secretariat of the Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC). This presidency will open new opportunities and channels for Eastern Norway County Network’s European policy work, as well as helping to form synergies in relation to strategies and priority areas 1. The regions in Norway are called counties and the county councils are the direct elected bodies below the national level 5 2. BASIS FOR THE EUROPEAN POLICY WORK The basis for Eastern Norway County Network’s European policy involvement is a natural part of the European policy work is the belief that balanced, regional authorities’ role in the development of society, sustainable, democratic and safe development in and most policy areas today have an international our neighbouring areas forms an important basis for dimension, where responsibility in Norway entails economic growth and value creation, while dialogue a responsibly to take part in policy development and close cooperation with countries and regions in elsewhere. The regional authorities’ European policy Northern Europe provide input and inspiration for the involvement is a consequence of social changes caused development of society. by Norway’s participation in the European integration, and the international engagement therefore constitute Europe has felt the impact of crises and great challenges an important added value for service delivery and policy over the past few years, which has put cooperation development for the regional authorities. between the countries to the test. In such situations, regions and municipalities may play a decisive role. Active participation in European organisations and It is important that regional views and interests are networks provides a direct political channel for promoted and that interregional cooperation Norwegian regional authorities in relation to European is strengthened. In order to solve our common decision makers. Taking part in meetings, conferences challenges, more involvement, participation, dialogue and seminars provides an opportunity for dialogue with and cooperation across national borders will be more key players, including experts in the European important than ever in the years to come. Commission. In this way, Norwegian regions are able to influence the EU agenda, the focus of strategic policy Norwegian regions and municipalities are very much documents such as white papers and blue books, the influenced by factors beyond the national framework, development of individual directives, and promote the such as globalisation, technological development, regions’ and cities’ position in the EU’s governance migration and flows of refugees, supranational system. regulations, EU regulations and political challenges. It is therefore essential to be present in European arenas in order to see our own challenges in an international perspective. 6 In order to gain the EU’s support for Norwegian The eight regional authorities in Eastern Norway interests in cases prioritised by Norway, the Government have a cooperation agreement with the federal state depends on a coordinated European policy that builds Schleswig-Holstein, signed by the state and each of the on transparency, knowledge and political involvement. eight regional authorities. The agreement is coordinated European policy work will be strengthened through through Eastern Norway Country Network more and better cooperation between the administrative and constitutes an important platform for levels. The various social players have different channels the European policy work. to and networks in Brussels. These players have different roles/assignments and sources, and access to different The eight regional authorities in Eastern Norway County Network (ENCN) have had a cooperation agreement with information. It is important that the players are aware the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein since 1998. of each other’s possibilities, that they share information The agreement is signed by all the regional authorities and know each other’s networks. This constitutes the and is both a bilateral agreement between the state and core of ‘Team Norway’. each of the eight regional authorities, and, in certain areas, a joint agreement coordinated through ENCN. A Cooperation in the Baltic Sea and North Sea Regions joint commission with political representatives manages has been and is an important pillar of Eastern Norway the cooperation agreement, and the commission meets County Network’s European policy work. The EU once a year. Meetings at the administrative levels are held Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the North Sea between the commission meetings. The topics and Region 2020 strategy, the Northern Dimension and the projects for collaboration are set out in a joint work Norwegian Government’s strategy for Germany consti- programme adopted at the commission meeting. tute important documents underlying Eastern Norway Eastern Norway County Network’s European policy work County Network’s European policy work. emphasises the involvement of young people. Youth The North Sea region has the potential to act as a driver participation is important in all areas of society because for growth and be a pioneering region for the EU and young people are affected by decisions made by the rest of Europe. The region has a common cultural authorities at the European, national, regional and local heritage and history with long-standing trade, tourism levels. Eastern Norway County Network’s youth network and human cooperation traditions across the North Sea. was established in 2005. The youth network is an The North Sea Region 2020 Strategy shall contribute to arena for learning, exchanging experience, networking strengthening the North Sea region as an area of Europe and European participation. The work is coordinated that is competitive, attractive and sustainable, and that by a separate administrative group that also includes more efficiently handles common transnational challenges representatives of Nordland and Vest-Agder regional and opportunities linked to sustainable economic growth, authorities. climate change, energy and management