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Visits that pave the way for stronger cross-border cooperation

Northern Ostrobothnia is an important ally of the Norrbotten Region. We have many common interests, conditions, challenges and opportunities. A visit this week provided an opportunity to deepen contacts.

The Finnish delegation and the Swedish hosts are standing together on a staircase.

For two days, December 14-15, Norrbotten was visited by a delegation of politicians and officials from Northern Ostrobothnia. They visited Luleå Municipality, Talga Group in Luleå Industrial Park and held talks with, among others, the Norrbotten Regional Board.

There has been cooperation between our two regions for a long time, but it is now being intensified in a wide range of areas. One such area that took up a large place in the discussions is issues of infrastructure and joint traffic planning.

We now have a common agenda for planning and investments in infrastructure. It is necessary, based on the growth of industry on both sides of the border. But the issue is also highly relevant based on the security policy situation.

– In the event of a conflict in the Baltic Sea, everything will come to a standstill. That is why land connections through Sweden to Europe and the Atlantic are so important. It is high on the agenda for us to develop rail and motorway connections, said Jussi Ylitalo, Chairman of the Regional Board.

The importance of culture

Other issues raised concerned culture – Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026 and Kiruna hopes to be one in 2029.

– Culture and a strong civil society are necessary to bring people together, said regional councilor Anders Öberg (S). 

Birgitta Johansson Huuva, regional councilor (C), highlighted culture as an important part of the regions' attractiveness.

– We have to do it together. Culture, social welfare, everything that makes it easier to live, live and work. That's something we have in common, she said.

Other topics of conversation included skills supply, energy expansion and a desire for greater government involvement.

– The Arctic dimension is recognized at the EU level but not at the national level. The Swedish government should pay more attention to the Arctic dimension, said regional councilor Glenn Berggård (V).

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa