Representatives from Delegation of the EU visited Petrozavodsk State University

On November 23, 2016, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU to the Russian Federation Sven-Olov Carlsson and Projects and Finance Specialist of the EU Cooperation Program Vadim Deleu visited Petrozavodsk State University, where they met the Vice-rector for International Affairs M. S. Gvozdeva and Director of the European Union Information Center A. A. Kuznetsova.

M. S. Gvozdeva told the guests about the university’s history, its current state, structure, scientific centers and schools, international cooperation, exchange programs, as well as defined priority areas for development and tasks, one of which is to become the resource center in the European North.
“Having the EU Center in the Barents region of Russia is a unique opportunity for the university. We are very proud to have it. It is a great discussion platform, as well as an opportunity to enrich oneself by taking part in various events. Thanks to the Center students, lecturers and school children have an opportunity to be involved in educational activity on studying the EU, which is very important in today’s world since it can promote the development of cross-region cooperation in Europe” – told the Vice-rector.

A. A. Kuznetsova spoke about the experience and history of the EU Center in the Barents region of Russia, the main purpose of which is to develop cooperation between Petrozavodsk State University and Northern European Open University consortium on one part, and EU Institutions on the other.
“Your university is able to meet competition and has established vast cooperation in Russia and abroad. The information that was presented to us and what we have learned and seen today made a positive impression. We have noticed that there is a big and growing interest toward the European Union in Russia.

Currently there are 6 EU Information Centers in Russia, and one of them is in Petrozavodsk State University. It works actively and it is a pleasure to point out that it is also a big part of the university. Experience, accumulated during our cooperation opens very good perspectives for further interaction. We are happy to have such cooperation and are ready to develop it” – noted Sven-Olov Carlsson.
Within the framework of the PetrSU visit guests went to the Museum of the History of PetrSU, took part in the international conference “EU Role in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region”.