International cooperation

A. Memberships of WFA Regional Councils in international organisations.

The different Regional Councils of the West Finland Alliance participate in cooperation with the following international organisations in Europe and represent WFA interests in their work.

AEBR AER BSSC CPMR EIRA ERISA Fedarene Kvarken MittNorden

B. Foreign partners of different WFA Regional Councils

Regions of the West Finland Alliance have concluded cooperation agreements with other European regions. These agreements also enable other WFA regions to cooperate with the above-mentioned regions if they so wish.

The Republic of Karelia and the Regional Council of Central Finland

The Regional Council of Central Finland signed a cooperation agreement with the Russian Federation’s Republic of Karelia (http://gov.karelia.ru/index_e.html) on 4 July 1997. The agreement emphasises civil servant exchanges, the deepening of twin-town relations and especially the creation of contacts in the fields of education, research, energy, environment, agriculture, forestry, health care, social welfare, culture, sports and tourism. The parties to the agreement will also develop their commercial relations.

For more information please contact:
Mr Ari Koskinen, Deputy Director, Regional Council of Central Finland,
tel. +358 40 595 0002
email: ari.koskinen@keskisuomi.fi

Nizhni Novgorod Region of Russian Federation and Council of Tampere Region

The Council of Tampere Region signed a cooperation agreement with the Russian Nizhny Novgorod Region http://www.government.nnov.ru/?id=1451 in 1998 in order to develop common projects. Actions taken under the agreement focus on environmental issues and protection, cooperation between technology centres, the development of forestry and education, land management and property registers, leadership training for business executives, civil servant exchanges and the promotion of twinning relations.

For more information please contact:
Ms Elina Suojanen-Nirvi, Manager, International Cooperation, Council of Tampere Region
tel. +358 3 248 1245
email: elina.suojanen-nirvi@pirkanmaa.fi

German State of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Council of Tampere Region

The Council of Tampere Region signed a letter of intent with the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen State on 24 May 2002. This letter highlights the intensification of the links between the regions and the extension of cooperation in economic matters, science and research. Particular emphasis is laid on scientific and technological cooperation between universities, other institutions of higher education and technology centres. By content, the fields of focus are information technology, medicine and biotechnology.

For more information please contact:
Ms Elina Suojanen-Nirvi, Manager, International Cooperation, Council of Tampere Region
tel. +358 3 248 1245
email: elina.suojanen-nirvi@pirkanmaa.fi

Pest region of Hungary and Council of Tampere Region

The Council of Tampere Region signed a cooperation agreement with the Hungarian Pest region on 8 December 2000. The most important area of cooperation is innovative promotion of the information society. Other areas of cooperation are to be decided separately. The aim of the agreement is to support cooperation between universities, research institutions, educational institutions, chambers of commerce and other institutions in order to develop contacts, exchange experiences and promote other types of cooperation.

For more information please contact:
Ms Elina Suojanen-Nirvi, Manager, International Cooperation, Council of Tampere Region
tel. +358 3 248 1245
email: elina.suojanen-nirvi@pirkanmaa.fi

Piemonte region of Italy and WFA

The WFA has concluded a cooperation agreement with the Piemonte region in Italy http://www.regione.piemonte.it/lingue/english/. The region consists of the city of Torino (Turin) and surrounding areas. As stated in the agreement, the regional authorities will support local actors, such as chambers of commerce, research institutes, education institutes and other organisations, in their activities in order to promote interregional contacts though cooperation and the exchange of experiences in fields of interest to both parties. Areas for cooperation may therefore be agriculture, commerce, business, health care, education, travel and culture.

For more information please contact:
Ms Elina Suojanen-Nirvi, Manager, International Cooperation, Council of Tampere Region
tel. +358 3 248 1245
email: elina.suojanen-nirvi@pirkanmaa.fi

German State of Schleswig-Holstein and Regional Councils of Central Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia

The Regional Councils of Central Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia concluded a cooperation agreement with the German state of Schleswig-Holstein

Regional Councils of Central Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia have made a cooperation agreement with the German state of Schleswig-Holstein http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/ on 31 August 1998. The strengthening of economic relations and of cultural and interpersonal contacts are brought into focus by this agreement, which also emphasis the utilisation of EU funding opportunities in common projects, continuing cooperation between the regional offices in Brussels and the holding of annual meetings between the parties to the agreement at a later date.

For more information please contact:
Mr Timo Urpala, Development Manager, Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia
tel. +358 20 124 4111
email: timo.urpala@etela-pohjanmaa.fi

Tartu County of Estonia and Regional Council of Central Finland

The Regional Council of Central Finland signed a cooperation agreement with Estonia’s Tartu County http://www.tartumaa.ee/ on 29 June 1998. The agreement emphasises the development of cooperation and the exchange of information and experience in the fields of the environment, the protection of nature, health care, social welfare, information systems and public transport. Both parties have agreed to support economic and cultural cooperation between authorities, municipalities and businesses.

For more information please contact:
Mr Ari Koskinen, Deputy Director, Regional Council of Central Finland
tel. +358 40 595 0002
email: ari.koskinen@keskisuomi.fi

Viljandi County of Estonia and Regional Council of Satakunta

The Regional Council of Satakunta established a cooperation and exchange of experiences agreement with the Estonian Viljandi County on the 12th of November 2001, which was renewed in negotiations held on the 17th February 2002. The cooperation focuses on regional development and cultural exchange, issues of tourism and waste management as well as utilisation of the West Finland European Office for Estonian civil servants to gain international experience.

For more information please contact:
Ms Tuula Telin, Development Officer, Regional Council of Satakunta
tel. +358 2 620 4341
email: tuula.telin@satakunta.fi

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