Brussels, 20/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has adopted five new Interreg cross-border regional cooperation programmes for Member States (and third countries) for the period up until 2006:
Denmark-Germany. The regions of Sonderjylland and Schleswig have been granted EUR 28.3 million, EUR 13.8 mil of it in EU funding. The programme aims to create about 60 cross-border networks and encourage 250 people to learn the language of the neighbouring country. Fyns Almt (south Denmark) and K.E.R.N. in the north of Germany will receive EUR 21.4 mil, EUR 11.5 of it in EU funding. The programme's priorities are economic development, the exchange of experience in environment and energy and co-operation between education establishments and socio-cultural and healthcare institutions. Storstroms Amt and Ostholstein-Lübeck will receive EUR 19.2 mil, EUR 9.6 mil of it from the EU budget for a programme focussing on economic co-operation.
Finland/Sweden/Norway/Russia: EUR 81 million (including EUR 47 mil from the EU) for extending co-operation between regions in the north of Europe, namely Lappland (Finland), Norrbotten (Sweden), northern Norway and the Murmansk and Archangelsk regions of Russia. The programme is divided into three sub-programmes - Nordkalotten (ccoperation between Finland, Sweden and Norway), Kolarctic (co-operation between Russia and Norway)a and Sapmi (for the indigenous Sami people). The priorities are economic development, the development of IT skills and strengthening the identity and situation of the Sami community. The funding for Russia will be allocated by the TACIS programme.
Germany-France. The Saar-Moselle/Lorraine/Western Palatinate region will receive EUR 56.5 million in funding (half of which will be provided by the EU). The aid is aimed at economic development projects and helping a hundred or so networks, each of more than 250 partners, to get involved in cross-border projects.