Co-Operation with Russia

The history of cooperation between Kainuu and Russia is long and the cooperation runs through several channels. The region of Kainuu has, for example, participated cross-border cooperation since year 1996 via a series of EU programmes, and been a part of a cooperation area and a political forum of Euregio Karelia since year 2000. In addition, the cooperation has found new, concrete forms, such as arranging the annual Kostomuksha Business Forum. The Kainuu region’s cooperation with Russia is coordinated by a separate strategy paper.

Neighboring Regions are Found Important

The history of cooperation between Kainuu and Russia is long. The most important time for development of the connections was the building of Kostomuksha during years 1974 – 1983. After that, the close cooperation has continued in different forms. The city of Kostomuksha turned 30 years in 2013, this was also celebrated together.

There is a cooperation memorandum in force between the Regional Council of Kainuu and the City of Kostomuksha. The cooperation is regular and easy between the two old partners. One example of good cooperation is the annual Kostomuksha Business Forum arranged in cooperation.

The Regional Strategy

The Kainuu region’s cooperation with Russia is coordinated by the document ”Russia Strategy 2021-2027”, which was accepted by the regional board in June 2021. The strategy aims to implement the objectives of the regional program by activating and diversifying the development in the region.

There also is a ”Russia Strategy Work Group” with the task to promote and monitor the implementation of the strategy and to anticipate the changes in the operating environment. The group reports on its activities to the regional board and makes proposals on how the cooperation should be developed. The aim of this work group is to come up with clear, concrete suggestions that will benefit the Development of Kainuu region.