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Policy Dialogue

Collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland


Finland has actively participated in efforts to support the political and economic transition process in Central and Eastern Europe. Cooperation with the neighbouring areas became a part of Finland´s foreign policy in 1990s. Neighbouring area cooperation promotes good relations and it aims to alleviate and prevent phenomena which have an adverse effect on Finland. The first strategic plan for the cooperation with the neighbouring areas was adopted by the Finnish Government in 1993.

Finland´s cooperation in the field of social welfare and health care in its neighbouring areas started at the beginning of 90´s. As the country next to the North-West Russia, Finland is in a key position to develop good and fruitful collaboration with the health and social welfare authorities in the Russian Federation. The first bilateral social and health sector projects implemented by STAKES and financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland started in 1995. Already before that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health started to support the cooperation with the Republic of Karelia.

International Development Collaboration at STAKES takes an instrumental role in promotion of Finland's neighbouring area co-operation in the North-West Russia and Baltic Sea Region. We have been assisting the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in this by providing expertise in planning and programme content development, in information acquirement and in establishment, maintenance and development of contacts

 

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Published 13.2.2006, Updated 25.9.2008

Photo: Anne Rissanen

Read more about:
Over decade of cooperation: STAKES in the Republic of Karelia (Russian Federation) (pdf)

Useful links:
Ministry of Social Affairs and
Health of Finland
(english version)

Last updated 25.9.2008
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