Brussels, 24/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - During his visit to Finland from 22 to 25 August, the President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Peter Straub will celebrate the launch of the historic decentralisation process in Kainuu (in the east of Oulu province). The decentralisation process will start on 1 January 2005 and will mean the transfer of central management powers to the regional council, explains the CoR in a press release. The aim is to 1) give the region power over the management of healthcare, social and education services; 2) focus regional development efforts; and 3) create companies and jobs. Straub will meet with Finnish MEPs, Governor Eino Siuruainen, Oulu's Mayor Kari Nenonen, Haukipudas' Mayor Pasi Valiivaara and Kajaani's Mayor Erkki Vähämaa.
The CoR explains that the Kainuu region is made up of nine local areas with a total surface area the size of Belgium and a population of 85,000. The region's capital, Kajaani, lies some 650 km north of Helsinki.