The EU Parliament approved a budget line for the Arctic Information Centre
2.10.2015 14:42
The establishment of the EU Arctic Information Centre in Rovaniemi has taken an important step forward in the European Parliament.
The Parliament's Budget Committee has approved the budget proposal drafted by MEP Petri Sarvamaa together with other MEP’s of the National Coalition Party of Finland for modification of the 2016 budget aiming to secure permanent funding for the EU Arctic Information Centre.
"The decision to open a budget line for the Arctic Information Centre is a very important choice that will secure the establishment of the centre in Rovaniemi and long-term financing for it," said Deputy Chairman of the Budget Committee Petri Sarvamaa in a statement.
"We are delighted that the EU Arctic Information Centre has taken a step forward. A permanent budget line is a necessary condition for proceeding to decisions in this matter. Without this there would have been a danger of the project grinding to a halt in the wheels of the EU machine. There is still a lot of work to be done, but now we can look ahead again”, says Timo Koivurova, acting director of the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland.
Support of member states needed
"The Finnish MEPs have worked together in the Parliament for a long time for the Arctic Information Centre to be established in Rovaniemi, and I am especially happy for the support by my own party, the EPP, and by the social democrats”, Sarvamaa stated.
“Now we need to cooperate so that the Centre will get the support of the member states in the Council.”
"Located in the Arctic areas of the European Union, Rovaniemi is a natural and central location for the Information Centre, because the University of Lapland and its Arctic Centre have excellent connections with all Arctic actors. We hope that the Union will be able to make open-minded decisions that will be for its own benefit”, Koivurova continues.
Additional Information
Petri Sarvamaa’s Press Release on the EPP Group website
Research Professor, Acting Director of the Arctic Centre Timo Koivurova
timo.koivurova [at] ulapland.fi, +358 40 551 9522
More information on the EU European Arctic Information Centre initiative.
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