Transport and Raw Material in the NSPA on the agenda in the European Parliament
The NSPA and the Bothnian Corridor Group in cooperation with MEP Marita Ulvskog & MEP Liisa Jaakonsaari organized a seminar on raw material and transport in the northernmost parts of Europe on the 24th April in the European Parliament. With keynote speakers from the European Parliament, the European Commission and representatives from the NSPA region and the industry, the seminar attracted around 50 participants.
Ms. Marita Ulvskog, MEP, underlined the importance of investments in infrastructure in the north of Europe and also highlighted that Sweden and Finland must make this a priority in the Council.
"I will do my very best to see to it that the TEN-T money is used in the very best way", Ms. Ulvskog said.
Mr. Odd Eriksen, president of Nordland county, raised the issue of the long distances in and within regions of the NSPA - a specific challenge where the Bothnian Corridor plays a significant role in creating a sustainable transport system in the northernmost part of Europe.
"The local and regional business development opportunities are closely connected to the development of the TEN-T" Mr. Eriksen said.
Mr. Pentti Hyttinen, Region Mayor of North Karelia, gave a regional perspective on raw materials, stating the significant role of forest industry and its development in reaching the strategic objectives of the future for the EU.
"The forest is the green gold of Europe, we have the special expertise in the forest sector of research and science" Mr. Hyttinen said.
Ms. Maria Spiliopoulou-Kaparia, Head of Unit European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, (Metals, Minerals, Raw Materials) presented the Raw Materials Initiative, which in turn have triggered some member states to shape national raw material strategies. The European Raw Material Strategy is a matter of survival in a globalised world, was the message from Maria Spiliopoulou-Kaparia.
Mr. Lars-Erik Renström, Manager, Corporate Logistics & Transportation, Outokumpu Stainless Oyj and Mr. Lennart Gustavsson, chairman, Georange, gave their perspectives on raw materials and transport stating that the local and regional development is closely connected to sustainable transport.
Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, director, European Mobility Network, DG Move, emphasized that TEN-T is about focusing infrastructural investments and that cooperation between private and public partners is required to succeed. Mr. Paquet encouraged stakeholders to prepare for the implementation of projects and also emphasized the need for member states to make this a priority at national level.
Ms. Liisa Jaakonsaari, MEP, underlined the seriousness of the matter as regarding the debate on the EU budget, meaning that cutting the EU budget might jeopardize the Connecting Europe Facility.
"Finland and Sweden are eager to cut the EU budget. We will have to see to it that the TEN-T money is not cut away" Ms Jaakonsaari said.
Mr. Mårten Edberg, Bothnian Green Logistic Corridor, concluded the seminar reiterating earlier speakers; it is not only about transporting raw materials from north to south, but about including the northernmost part of the Europe on the maps.
Moderating the seminar was Mr. Stig Nerdal, Transportutvikling AS.
See speakers' presentations:
Ms. Spiliopoulou-Kaparia's presentation
NSPA Forum, 21-22 May 2013, Oulu
02 April 2013
The NSPA network cordially invites you to the next NSPA Forum, 21-22 May, 2013 in Oulu, North Finland. The Oulu Forum will focus on the role of the NSPA in the implementation of the different EU initiatives during the 2014-2020 programming period. Invitation and registration is now available.
Successful seminar on Transport Policy in the North
20 March 2013
On the 7th of March, the NSPA network organized a seminar on Transport Policy in the North at the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU. With speakers from the European Commission, the permanent representations of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia and the head of secretariat for the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL), the seminar attracted around 80 participants.
Transport Policy in the North
25 January 2013
The Northern Sparsely Populated Areas-network (NSPA) cordially invites you to the seminar “Transport Policy in the North” with keynote speakers from the governments of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia, the European Commission and the Secretariat for the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL). Invitation and program is now available.
Seminar in the European Parliament on EU Cohesion Policy in the NSPA
04 December 2012
The NSPA seminar, on the 29th of November in the European Parliament, hosted by Swedish MEP Jens Nilsson and Finnish MEP Riikka Manner attracted more than 70 participants to get new thoughts on the value of EU Cohesion Policy in the NSPA. Invited speakers discussed the role of territorial cooperation and the importance of smart specialization to realize regional development potential. Participants also had the chance to hear about lessons learned from the NSPA experience and good examples from regions with different specificities.
The NSPA view on the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework negotiations
03 December 2012
NSPA representatives from Finland, Sweden and Norway met with the European Commission Directorate-General of Regional and Urban Policy, on the 28th of November, to discuss and give their position on the on-going negotiations on the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework.
Cohesion policy as a tool for Smart Growth and an attractive region - Europe 2020 and the NSPA, 29th of November, 2012
21 November 2012
Welcome to a seminar on the value of EU Cohesion Policy in the NSPA. Invited speakers will discuss the role of territorial cooperation and the importance of smart specialisation to realise regional development potential. Looking at what lessons that can be learnt from the NSPA experience this seminar aims to provide good examples for other European regions with different specificities. Hosted by Swedish MEP Jens Nilsson (S&D) and Finnish MEP Riikka Manner (ALDE).
The NSPA attracted nearly 200 participants to Open Days seminar
11 October 2012
The NSPA seminar during the Open Days 2012 attracted more than 150 participants, amongst others several representatives from the European Commission and the European Parliament. Focusing on regional east-west cross border cooperation in the northernmost part of Europe, one of the conclusions of the seminar debate was the crucial importance of working across borders in the High North.
OPEN DAYS 2012: Meet your NSPA colleagues
10 July 2012
The Northern Sparsely Populated Areas network invites you to a cocktail event, after the official NSPA seminar, on Tuesday 9 October at 17.00.
OPEN DAYS 2012: NSPA - the heart of European east-west cross-border cooperation
19 June 2012
The Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) network cordially invites you to the OPEN DAYS 2012 seminar. The seminar will focus on the role of NSPA in regional east-west cross-border cooperation and its contribution to create added value for the whole of Europe.
NSPA challenges and opportunities discussed in the European Parliament
08 June 2012
Tuesday, 5th June, the NSPA network organized a breakfast meeting in the European Parliament on how EU cohesion policy can realize the enormous potential and help overcome the obstacles faced in the NSPA. The meeting was hosted by Finnish MEP Riikka Manner (ALDE) and Swedish MEP Jens Nilsson (S&D) and attracted around 30 participants.
NSPA breakfast meeting, 5th June 2012, European Parliament
23 May 2012
We are pleased to welcome you to a breakfast in the European Parliament highlighting the potential and obstacles faced by the Northern Sparsely POpulated Areas. Swedish MEP Jens Nilsson (S&D) and Finnish MEP Riikka Manner (ALDE) will lead a discussion on how EU cohesion policy can realize the enormous potential and overcome the obstacles faced by EUrope's far north.
Transport and Raw Material in the NSPA on the agenda in the European Parliament
03 May 2012
On the 24th April the NSPA and the Bothnian Corridor Group organized a seminar in the European Parliament about raw materials and transport in the northernmost parts of Europe. Hosting the seminar were MEPs Marita Ulvskog and Liisa Jaakonsaari and with keynote speakers from the European Commission, representatives from the NSPA and from the raw material industry, the seminar attracted around 50 participants.
Successful dialogue at the NSPA Forum
23 April 2012
The NSPA Forum in Sundsvall gathered around 60 participants to discuss the future cohesion policy and to adopt the NSPA position paper on the legislative package of cohesion policy 2014-2020.
Raw material and Transport in the High North
22 February 2012
On the 24th of April the NSPA and the Bothnian Corridor Group are arranging a seminar in the European Parliament on the increasing importance of the supply of raw materials and transport from the high north for the sustainable growth of the European economy.
NSPA Forum, 18-19 April, Sundsvall
13 February 2012
The NSPA network cordially invites you to the 4th NSPA Forum on the 18-19 April 2012 in Sundsvall. The Sundsvall forum will focus on the thematic concentration of the next EU funding period and the opportunities that it brings to the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas.
NSPA continues dialogue on sustained investments in the high north of Europe
23 January 2012
On the 8th December, the NSPA network met with director general Dirk Ahner, European Commission, to discuss and clarify what the proposals of the regulations on cohesion policy post 2013 signifies for our regions.
Open Days 2011: Demographic change in the NSPA
18 October 2011
The NSPA seminar and reception on 11th of October 2011, attracted up to 130 registered participants from the NSPA regions. The NSPA seminar focused on demographic change from a young perspective and three young politicians from the three countries of the NSPA gave their view on the topic.
More than 80 stakeholders assembled for NSPA Forum in Kuopio
30 September 2011
NSPA Forum in Kuopio on the 22 September assembled more than 80 stakeholders to discuss the next EU funding period and the opportunities of the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas.
Open Days 2011: Meet your NSPA colleagues
07 July 2011
The NSPA network invites you to a short seminar and networking reception on Tuesday 11 October at 18.00. The short seminar will focus on the demographic change and how the NSPA regions can attract more young people. After the seminar a networking reception will follow.
NSPA Forum, 22 September in Kuopio
16 May 2011
The NSPA Forum in Kuopio focuses on the next EU funding period and the opportunities that it brings to the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas. Attendees are actors from the EU institutions and the NSPA region.
Continued investment in the high north crucial for Europe
02 February 2011
Today political representatives from the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas in Finland, Sweden and Norway met with the European Commission to highlight the importance of continued investment in the regions.
Successful gathering in Tromsø
27 January 2011
Over 70 stakeholders from the three countries gathered in beautiful Tromsö on 18-19 January to exchange views and agree on the NSPA response to the 5th Cohesion Report.
NSPA Forum, 18-19th January 2011, Tromsø
29 October 2010
The forum aims to agree a joint political position for the NSPA-region concerning the 5th Cohesion Report. Attendees will be actors from the EU institutions and the NSPA region.
OPEN DAYS 2010: Workshop report
19 October 2010
Read more about the workshop Northern Sparsely Populated Areas – Strong Specific and Promising on 5th October in Brussels.
OPEN DAYS 2010: Meet your NSPA-colleagues!
17 September 2010
Welcome to the NSPA Open Days cocktail in Brussels on Tuesday 5 October at 16:30.
OPEN DAYS 2010: Register for the NSPA workshop
06 July 2010
We hope you would like to participate in our event and learn more how the experience and resources from the North can contribute to a prosperous and sustainable Europe.
Dialogue meeting with Intergroup 174
12 May 2010
The European Union’s future policy on territorial cohesion was on the agenda when the "Intergroup Mountain, Island and Sparsely Populated Regions" on Tuesday 4th May invited to a dialogue meeting in the European Parliament. The NSPA was invited to present how the NSPA positions itself for the future EU regional policy. Mr. Stein Ovesen, director of North Norway European Office, reports from the meeting.
OPEN DAYS 2010: Northern Sparsely Populated Areas - strong, specific and promising
27 April 2010
The network will arrange a workshop during this year's Open Days showcasing the added value that the NSPA region brings to Europe.
NSPAs unique cooperation praised by DG Regio
28 January 2010
A political delegation from northern Finland, Norway and Sweden has presented its political position on the future cohesion policy to Mr Dirk Ahner, Director General at DG Regional Policy, European Commission.
NSPA Forum 15 December in Kiruna
11 November 2009
This first ever forum for the NSPA region aims to agree a joint political position for the NSPA-region concerning the future cohesion policy for 2014 onwards.
Barents cooperation and energy efficiency in focus at NSPA seminar
09 October 2009
The two seminars organised by the NSPA at Open days both had a good turnout and made way for many discussions and networking opportunities. See the event report and presentations.
Strong, specific and promising - NSPA publish report as basis for joint position for the future of the region
21 September 2009
The report Northern Sparsely Populated Areas Foresight 2020, produced by Nordregio and commissioned by the NSPA network, has now been published. The dialogue continues in the region to create a joint position using the report as a basis.
Register for Open Days workshops
06 July 2009
Registration is now open for the Open Days workshops. The NSPA network together with Iceland are organising two workshops on Tuesday 6th October.
NSPA and Iceland at Open Days
03 April 2009
NSPA together with Iceland will participate in this year’s Open Days.
Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion
27 February 2009
NSPA submits viewpoints for the Consultation on the Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion to European Commission DG Regional Policy.
Comments on the Baltic Sea Strategy
31 December 2008
The NSPA network submits its comments on the Baltic Sea Strategy.