MFA: Minister Blomqvist to forum for cross-border regional cooperation

Minister Blomqvist will speak about the state and future of border cooperation at the Gränsregionalt Forum on 18 November. The restrictions on border traffic due to COVID-19 have posed a particular challenge to cooperation in the border regions.

According to Minister Blomqvist, cross-border regional cooperation is an important part of Nordic cooperation: “The work supports in a concrete way our common goal of becoming a more sustainable and integrated region in the world. Nordic cooperation has traditionally aimed at facilitating everyday life across borders. Cross-border cooperation and the border regions can be considered frontrunners. Cross-border cooperation promotes integration in the Nordic region, which is a cornerstone of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ common vision.”

The Minister will also meet representatives of the Bothnian Arc. Oulu is currently chairing the Bothnian Arc collaboration with Luleå as vice-chair. As its name suggests, the Bothnian Arc includes the coastal areas of the Bay of Bothnia in Finland and Sweden. The Bothnian Arc is one of the thirteen Nordic cross-border cooperation organisations whose activities are funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Minister will also meet representatives of the City of Oulu, BusinessOulu and the University of Oulu and discuss the future prospects of the region and the promotion of exports in the northern regions.

Inquiries: Carolina Nordling, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 0295 150 278 firstname.lastname@om.fi