The EU announced the need to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the framework of the Northern Dimension. Thus, the decision of the European Commission to allocate funding for this program in 2019-2020 says that this will open up opportunities for expanding cooperation with Moscow in the "current political context."

The Northern Dimension is a joint policy of the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland to develop cooperation in environmental issues, healthcare, the region’s logistics and cultural exchange. The program operates through four types of partnerships covering all these areas - in the field of public health and social welfare, nature conservation, in the field of culture, as well as partnership in the field of transport and logistics.

“Enhanced cooperation within the Northern Dimension framework opens up opportunities for expanding cooperation with Russia in the current political context, both for strengthening contacts at the level of ordinary citizens and for cooperation in key areas of interest to the EU (for example, climate, environment, healthcare) ”, - emphasized in the document of the European Commission, the text of which was reviewed by RT.

Thus, it is indicated that a dialogue should be initiated with Russia and Belarus, which has observer status, in such areas of environmental partnership as the application of legal norms regarding carbon black emissions, promotion of renewable energy sources, as well as other aspects of raising awareness about climate change.

Among the priorities of the partnership in the field of public health are indicated the work to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, measures to combat the abuse of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, etc. Partnership in the field of culture, in particular, involves the development of tourism, youth exchange programs, improvement of working conditions cultural industry. According to the document, "the importance of partnership for cooperation with Russia should be emphasized."

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The EU also previously announced its intention to continue financing cross-border programs in the framework of the Northern Dimension and cross-border cooperation with Russia after 2020. This was announced by EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer.

In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry also noted good prospects for cooperation between Russia and the EU in the framework of the Northern Dimension.

“The cooperation within the framework of the format is developing along four highways: ecology, transport, healthcare and social well-being, culture. That is, those issues that are of pragmatic and practical interest to the parties are indeed covered. All of them continue to develop and bring certain results. In addition, there are good prospects: sanctions did not affect this format in any way, ”said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin.

“Individually”

The document of the European Commission also states that the Northern Dimension projects are funded subject to the restrictions imposed on projects in Russia.

“New projects in Russia that meet the interests of the EU can be approved individually, especially within the framework of an environmental partnership, such as recently launched projects to reduce carbon black emissions,” the document says.

All parties to the Northern Dimension are as interested as possible in preserving natural resources and not spreading technological hazards, said political analyst Alexander Asafov.

“Since this does not have a pronounced political context, the joint work of the countries can, should and will continue, should be expanded. Given the global interest, this topic will sound louder and louder. Where constructive interaction can be built without touching on political issues, this must be continued, despite the general cool context in other areas, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

According to the expert of the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies Vladimir Bruter, the European Union recognizes that there are areas where cooperation with Russia is necessary. At the same time, he urged to pay attention to the fact that the EU cooperates where it is beneficial.

The Northern Dimension is such that without countries outside the European Union (Norway, Iceland and Russia), there can be no Northern Dimensions and some northern projects. Therefore, to say that something can be done without Russia is a pure utopia. And the EU recognizes this, as well as the fact that it needs to coordinate its northern policy, ”the expert concluded.