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Nordic Cooperation marked by the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Per Unckel with the North-West Russian representatives
of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Stockholm,
December 2008 photo: NCM St. Petersburg
Per Unckel, the Governor of Stockholm Region, who in 2003-2006 headed the Nordic Council of Ministers as a Secretary General is nominated for Alexander Gorchakov Medal.
The medal and diploma are presented as a mark of recognition of distinguished efforts in developing international cooperation, promotion of values of humanity, as well as diplomatic achievements.
Per Unckel’s political experience covered four decades during which he was a political party leader, member of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), minister of education and research of the Swedish government, chairman of the social and economic policy committee in the biggest parliament group in the European Parliament. Before his appointment as a Governor of Stockholm Region Per Unckel worked as a Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2003-2006.
Cooperation between the Nordic Countries and Russia has gradually reached institutional level, projects initiated by partners in the Nordic Countries and the North-West of Russia has developed into long term mutually beneficial partnerships. Within the exchange programs thousands civil servants, researches, representatives of NGOs and entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized enterprises in North-West Russia performed study visits to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, where they had an opportunity to gain knowledge on the development of particular fields in the Nordic countries and participate in joint projects.
Input of the Nordic Council of Ministers into strengthening of international cooperation in the social sphere and promotion of gender equality was particularly marked by Governor of Saint Petersburg Valentina Matvienko. Cooperation with North-West Russia has been continued after Per Unckel took the position of Governor of Stockholm Region. Knowledge exchange and strivings after turning the Baltic Sea Region into a region of knowledge and innovations brought concrete results – arrangement Days of Saint Petersburg in Stockholm and Days of Stockholm in Saint Petersburg, renewal of cooperation agreements, enhanced business cooperation. The award ceremony takes place in the Marble Palace of St. Petersburg on 10 February 2010.
The Nordic-Russian official cooperation marks its 15th anniversary in 2010. The Information office of the Nordic Council of Ministers was established in St. Petersburg in 1995 to promote cooperation between Nordic countries and Russia. The Knowledge Building and Networking Programme is the current instrument for cooperation. The aim of the programme is to support exchange of knowledge, experience and skills, contribute to network building between Nordic and North-West Russian organisations, institutions, small and enterprises and others.
Official press release (pdf format)
04.02.10 |
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