At a Stockholm meeting today, the Swedish chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council launched its priorities on how the region can strengthen the cooperation to meet the challenges towards a more eco-efficient economy.
As part of the Swedish priorities, the Minister of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Mrs. Maud Olofsson (also the Vice Prime Minister), will invite her colleagues to Umeå, May 18-19.
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As the region plays a key role in Europe and beyond as a supplier of renewable energy and natural resources there is a need to more thoroughly look into how closer cooperation in these fields better can unlock the potentials of the region and increase competitiveness. At the center of attention is the concept of eco-efficient economy, according to a press-release posted by the International Barents Secretariat.
Read also: Eco-efficient economy focus for Swedish chairmanship
Sweden has also allocated of 12 million SEK (€1,35 million) to Barents Window – a trust fund supporting the identification, preparation, implementation and supervision of projects and programs in North-West Russia addressing emission reductions.