06.10.2023
Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland: Possibilities for success throughout the country
The Summit of the Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland was held in Helsinki on 5-6 October 2023. These counties, which make up most of Finland, expect Orpo's government to take consistent and effective development measures throughout the country. This is the only way to ensure the safety and security of supply objectives set out in the Government Programme.
The key measures are those of the Northern Programme and the Eastern Finland Vision, the adequate resourcing of which must be secured. Funding for the self-development of the counties (AKKE) is a necessary part of the development funding of the counties and must be included in the state budget in the future.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Economic Affairs from the Government Wille Rydman (ps), Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (kd), Minister for Local Government and Regions Anna-Kaisa Ikonen (CoK) and Minister for Defence Antti Häkkänen (cok)
Member of the European Parliament Elsi Katainen (Centre) opened up the priorities of EU regional policy and current EU actions related to the east and the north. Sari Rautio The European Committee of the Regions outlined the future of cohesion policy.
The break in economic relations between Russia and the EU has hit Eastern and Northern development and business economies more severely than the rest of the country. The opening up of new export markets, the replacement of raw material flows and the reorganisation of economic transport have required major efforts from the regions. The government also needs to show concrete measures to boost new growth. For example, well-functioning transport connections and an efficient electricity transmission network are of paramount importance for securing investments in Eastern and Northern Finland.
Infrastructure investments cannot be directed only to southern and western Finland, the state must ensure that all regions have equal opportunities to develop and thrive. The State must allocate more than planned funding for the improvement and construction of a low-traffic road and rail network in Eastern and Northern Finland. From the point of view of Finland's economy, security of supply and security, the most important directions in the future will be northern Sweden and northern Norway, so there should be no delay in improving connections.
The purpose of EU regional and structural policy is to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions. Few settlements, long distances and cold climates are still the disadvantages of the development of Eastern and Northern Finland, and this is the most important criterion for the EU funding received by Finland as a whole. The provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland recall that it is in the national interest to maintain this also during the funding period starting in 2028.
Declaration of the Summit of the Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland
Additional information:
Pentti Mäkinen
Regional Director of South Savo
Tel. +358 50 500 2584
Etelä-Savo is the chair of the Advisory Board of the Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland in 2023
Jussi Rämet
Regional Director of Northern Ostrobothnia
Tel. +358 40 586 3877
