International Cooperation

The Regional Council of Ostrobothnia is responsible for many international relations and issues. International relations and interregional interaction are part of our daily routine. We are along with the other regional councils in Finland involved in developing EU regional policy.

We take part in the following international organisations:

• The Association of European Border regions  

The AEBR has been promoting cross-border co-operation in Europe for more than 30 years. Mr Steven Frostdahl, first vice president of the Board of the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, is Vice President of the Board of AEBR. 

• Baltic Sea States Sub-regionel Co-operation 
  
  
• The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe 

One of the oldest associations for areas with common interests. The CPMR was founded in Saint-Malo in 1973 on the initiative of the Region of Brittany, at the same time as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark entered the European Community. The Regional Council of Ostrobothnia joined CPMR in 1995. The CPMR's membership includes 160 regions from 28 states - both members and non-members of the EU - all located in one of Europe's main sea basins. The member regions have set themselves the goal of promoting a more balanced development of the European Union highlighting the value of all its geographical areas to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion.

• The Kvarken Council EGTC

A Nordic cross border co-operation association with the Ostrobothnian regions in Finland, the province of Västerbotten and the municipality of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden as members. Presently, the Kvarken Council focuses mainly on issues concerning food industry, university co-operation, culture, traffic, tourism and the environment.

• Smart specialisation Network S3

Read more about Smart Specialisation in Ostrobothnia.

Furthermore

The foundation of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) at the beginning of 1994 formalised the representation of local and regional interests in the European Union.

The regions of Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia have been in close co-operation with the Schleswig-Holstein region in Germany since spring 1994. The work focuses on marine development, rural development, education, culture and the Baltic Sea co-operation.