International cooperation

The Regional Councils take care of international relations and international affairs connected with their work. Since Finland entered the European Union, the international role of the Regional Councils has expanded and international relations and interaction between different regions have become part of the daily routine.

For taking Finland´s special conditions into account, the councils have emphasised the nordic dimension in outlining the new EU regional policy. This means taking account of low popultaion density and cold weather conditions when planning regional development programmes. The nordic dimension also includes cross-border cooperation with the Barents Region, the Baltic sea Region and Russia.

The foundation of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union at the beginning of 1994 formalised the representation of local and regional interests in the Union activities. The Regional Councils propose their candidates for membership and deputy membership of the EU Committee of the Regions. Many Regional Councils have their own permanent representations in Brussels in addition to the representation of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The Regional Council´s representatives also participate in the Council of Europe´s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe and its Chamber of Regions.

International contacts are vitally important to a small country like Finland. besides traditional Nordic cooperation, the field of international relations will grow further in conjunction with the enlargement of the EU and the intensification of cooperation with neighbouring areas Russia and the Baltic States, and strengthening of the North-South cooperation.