The
political situation has raised questions on the continuation of the
cross-border cooperation. When the European Council discussed on the sanctions
against the Russian Federation on July 16th also the CBC programmes
were on the agenda. Fortunately the final decision was not to include
cross-border cooperation in the sanction list. This means that the ENPI
programmes and projects can continue their work as before. The decision was
largely welcomed by the public.
At the
moment, when the political situation is tense, open dialogue is especially
needed. On regional level cross-border cooperation programmes give practical
tools for creating direct and concrete contacts cross the border. The CBC projects
connect regions and people closer to each other and make us one big
cross-border Family.
Now tens –
or even hundreds - ongoing CBC projects have an important task to show that the
cooperation is essential and beneficial for all of us, and that not only now
but also in the future we want to work together for our joint objectives.
Marko Ruokangas
Programme Director
Karelia ENPI CBC Programme
