The Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs looked into the media coverage of progress in implementing programmes to promote cross-border cooperation between Russia and the European Union for 2014–2020. The meeting was attended by high-ranking European diplomats.
Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachyov held a meeting to look into the media coverage of progress in implementing programmes to promote cross-border cooperation between Russia and the European Union for 2014–2020.
The event was attended by European Union Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer, the ambassadors of Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia to Russia, representatives of the German, Latvian, Lithuanian and Danish embassies in Russia, officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry and representatives of the authorities in the regions where cross-border cooperation has proved a success.
“The Chamber of Regions pays close attention to the issues of encouraging and promoting cross-border cooperation, primarily with our European partners,” Konstantin Kosachyov said.
He said that border regions had to address a wide range of issues and maintain neighbourly relations.
According to the Senator, the EU sanctions imposed on Russia did not affect the programmes of cross-border cooperation, which shows no signs of decline; on the contrary, it has made significant progress in recent years.
Konstantin Kosachyov said that Russia was a party to several Russia – EU cross-border cooperation programmes, which amount to 311.7 million euros. (Russia has contributed 86.9 million euros.) Participants in the programmes are border regions in Russia’s Northwestern Federal District and the neighbouring areas in EU countries. The programmes aim to help carry out joint projects to promote social integration, improve the quality of life in the border areas, upgrade infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship, support small and mid-sized businesses, and advance cultural cooperation.
A seminar to present Russia – EU cross-border cooperation programmes. Broadcast footage of 28 May 2019.
Konstantin Kosachyov noted that Russia had conducted talks with the European Commission and the EU member countries to coordinate the new cross-border cooperation programmes for 2014–2020.
“We can now agree on extending cooperation for a lengthy period,” the Senator said.
Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrei Klimov suggested that MPs in cross-border regions in Russia and the EU meet more frequently.
European Union Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer believes the meeting at the Federation Council is a good opportunity to consider the positive aspect of cooperation between Russia and the EU. According to him, the European Union and Russia can cooperate in areas of mutual interest.
The presentation delivered to the participants in the meeting highlighted cross-border cooperation programmes that aim to carry out joint projects to promote social integration, improve the quality of life in the border areas, upgrade infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship, support small and mid-sized businesses, and advance cultural cooperation.