OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2010. Delegation of the Regional Government Agency of Northern Finland headed by its Director Ms. Terttu Savolainen has visited Karelia.

Members of the delegation have held meetings in the Ministry of Culture and Public Relations of Karelia, Ministry of Health and Social Development of the republic, have visited the V.Baranov Republican Hospital, have taken part in opening of the international seminar on organization of work of children's homes for preparation of children for the independent life.

Results of the visit and prospects of cooperation were considered on May 4 at the meeting of the delegation with the Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov.

As Ms. Terttu Savolainen has told, according to the reform since 2010 provincial boards in Finland went out of business. Powers of the provincial government of Oulu with which Karelia has established close cross-border ties are delegated to the Regional Government Agency of Northern Finland. Ms. Terttu Savolainen has presented to Sergey Katanandov the message of greetings of Eino Suiruainen, the former Governor of Oulu, who has retired.

During the conversation Sergey Katanandov and Terttu Savolainen have analysed experience of the implemented cross-border cooperation projects beteween Karelia and Oulu and have planned priority spheres of cooperation for the future. Ms. Terttu Savolainen says that she sees the priority of cooperation in teamwork for increase of wellfare and health of citizens. Sergey Katanandov has asked Ms. Terttu Savolainen to pay special attention to establishing of cooperation with the northern frontier areas of Karelia – Kostomuksha, Kalevala and Louhi regions. New prospects there have beenrevealed upon the start-up of the railway communication between Ledmozero and Kochkoma and Suopera international automobile customs station.

The Head of the republic has expressed hope that long-term experience of cooperation between Karelia with the Finnish province of Oulu will be in demand and will continue now at the level of the Regional Government Agency of Northern Finland.

At the meeting Sergey Katanandov and Terttu Savolainen have signed the Memorandum on results of negotiations concerning bilaterial cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Karelia and the Regional Government Agency of Northern Finland for the period from 2010 to 2011.

The Memorandum says that the Regional Government Agency of Northern Finland and the Government of the Republic of Karelia within the scope of their powers will continue cooperation between the cross-border regions on the basis of the agreement signed in 1996 about cooperation between Karelia and the provincial government of Oulu. The Memorandum defines perspective directions for cooperation for the next two years.