Influences of EU

Our city as other cities is in many ways influenced by decisions of the European Union. It is very often at the local and regional level that the European policies and legislation are put into action.

The enlargement will influence the work in the European Union and therefore our city will be influenced. It is though hard to have specific expectations on the enlargement on a local level. Taking into account the location of our city close to the Norwegian border we are also in many ways influenced by and in contact with Norway that is not a EU member state.

There is no doubt that the BSR is important and that the enlargement will in fact make our work across borders simpler. This might result in even more contact and initiatives from our city with partners in the BSR.

Since we have not made any surveys regarding the citizen's feelings for the enlargement or in what way they feel European it is hard to tell if there will be any change. The enlargement will give us a more diverse union this might give our citizens a feeling that the authority of the European union will increase. Local citizens sense of belonging is mostly attached to the local history but as time is getting on I have a feeling that our citizens will feel more European.

Development of the EU after the enlargement is a hard question to answer. I am certain that new member states will effect the European Agenda as has earlier new member states done. All states and regions have there own priorities and competences and of course everybody wants to influence. In all I believe that the enlargement is a positive development for Europe, the Baltic Sea Region and our city and it will be interesting to follow this development.