Russia said No for Cross-Border Cooperation

Russia ignored the deadline of 31 December and did not sign the Financial Agreement of participation in the Baltic Sea Region Program. It has caused a concern of many regions and institution that were ready to start or continue cooperation with Russia in many spheres.

Russian partners cannot participate in the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 under ENPI funding. – informs BSR program website.

The news is very influential to all BSR countries that had a Russian partner in their future projects. However, most confused are the closest neighbors. Popular portal Barents Observer informs that “The decision might eventually put the Barents 2010 Plus project on halt. In the Barents 2010 Plus, the 13 territorial administrations in the Barents Region, of which five are Russian (Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblasts, the Komi Republic, Nenets Autonomous Okrig and Republic of Karelia) have in the course of 2008 come together on an application to the program on a variety of projects. The application was hoped to be the main implementation tool for Barents Program 2009-2013 adopted in November 2008.”

The Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible authorities for the decision in Russia. For the time being Russian partners can participate as a co-partner without having their own budget in a project.