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Celebration of 15th anniversary of cooperation with Russia

The Information Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers, which was opened in Saint Petersburg 15 years ago, brings a new perspective to the co-operation.

Oct 07, 2010

Geographical location and historical relations as neighbours form the basis of close cooperation between Northwest Russia and the Nordic countries for the benefit of the whole area.

- Characterised by the unique welfare model and cultural affinity, the Nordic countries actively take part in international affairs. This is a leading region of knowledge and innovation, also in terms of issues relating to climate change and environmental protection. Russia is our neighbour. We have things to share and things to offer each other, says Mika Boedeker, Director of the Information Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers in Saint Petersburg.

Over a thousand projects in many fields have been implemented and almost one million people have participated in various joint Russian-Nordic initiatives since 1995. To highlight long-standing commitment to cooperation, the Nordic countries arranged the Nordic Week in St. Petersburg this year for the first time.

The programme included over 20 events contributed by each of five countries, united under some of the main themes - innovation, education, ecology and culture.

On 5 October the Information Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers in St. Petersburg launched Studia Nordica – the new profiling project. Studia Nordica is a series of lectures by five prominent Nordic personalities, representing all 5 Nordic countries, focusing on a specific Nordic-related topic. The first lecture, attended by 120 people, was presented by Berndt Arell, Director of the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, who talked about cultural affinity of the Nordic countries.

The same day, the New Nordic Food reception was arranged to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ cooperation with Northwest Russia.

Contacts

Jesper F. Schou-Knudsen
Phone +45 33 96 03 55
Email jsk@norden.org

Andrey Anisimov
Adviser
Phone +7 812 336 7580
Mobile +7 921 917 0643
aa@norden.ru