Press release
25 November 2011
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications
Ewa Björling and Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd: This is how we will remove border barriers in infrastructure
On 28-29 November, Minister for Nordic Cooperation Ewa Björling and Minister for Infrastructure Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd will visit northern Sweden and Norway, as well as Oslo. Together with their Norwegian colleagues, businesses and stakeholders, they will raise issues on cooperation and growth in the High North, with a special focus on infrastructure.
The visit will begin with a trip from Kiruna to Narvik on LKAB's ore train. Afterwards, they travel to Oslo to participate in the conference 'The High North - Infrastructure and Industrial Development', arranged by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies of Sweden and Finland, and Voksenåsen Culture and Conference Hotel. Also participating in the conference are Norway's Minister of Transport and Communications Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa and Finland's Minister of Transport Merja Kyllönen.
"The High North is emerging as an increasingly important centre for business development. Energy recovery, transport, trade, activities related to ore and minerals, as well as forestry and fishing are just a few examples of important and expanding industries in the area. Development has been fast and the need for coordination and cooperation is increasing at the same rate," says Dr Björling.
"It is very important for companies and travellers that transport systems, including cross-border transport, function satisfactorily. In the best case scenario, you should not even notice when you pass a national border," says Ms Elmsäter-Svärd.
In connection with the trip between Kiruna and Narvik, the media are invited to a press conference with Dr Björling and Ms Elmsäter-Svärd in Kiruna and one on arrival in Narvik. There will be a photo opportunity in connection with the boarding of the ore train in Björkliden.
The media are also invited to a press conference during the High North conference at Voksenåsen Hotel.
Time and place
Press conference Kiruna airport, Monday 28 November at 08.30.
Photo opportunity at Björkliden railway station during the boarding of the ore train, Monday 28 November at 11.25.
Press conference on arrival to LKAB Narvik, Bolagsgata 40 in Narvik, Monday 28 November at 13.15.
Press conference and High North conference, Voksenåsen Culture and Conference Hotel, Ullveien 4, 0791 Oslo, Tuesday 29 November at 10.30.
Contact
Vikarierande pressekreterarePress Secretary to Dr. Björling
+46 8 405 37 11
+46 70 252 87 52
Caroline Karlsson
Press Secretary to Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd
+46 8 405 10 00
+46 72 744 23 30
email to Caroline Karlsson
