OREANDA-NEWS. On 31 July 2009 was announced, that partnership ties between the Vologda Oblast and Vastmanland were set up in 2001 at the initiative of the Swedish region. Over the last years, relations between Sweden and the Vologda Oblast have become extremely active. Many joint agreements and cooperation programs in such fields as economy, social sphere and culture were concluded.

From January 21 through 25, 2008 a delegation from the Vologda Oblast visited Vastmanland. The main objective of the visit was to study expertise of Swedish government bodies in such areas as international relations, religion and migration policy. The members of the delegation studied ways of drawing labour force from foreign states, adaptation and integration of people of other nationalities into the Swedish community.

Klaas Almer, adviser to Vastmanland's Governor paid a working visit to Vologda on March 1-5th, 2008. The visit was aiming to define guidelines for further collaboration between the Vologda Oblast and Vastmanland in the sphere of sports. Mr. Almer presented sports facilities and complexes of Vasteras to Vologda's sportsmen and representatives of sports clubs and showed keen interest in cooperation with Vologda's sports clubs.

The Days of Vastmanland were held in Vologda Oblast on May 15-16, 2008 within the framework of the program of joint actions signed in 2006.

Governor of the Vologda Oblast Mr. Pozgalyov and his Swedish counterpart Mr. Svegfors carried on negotiations and in full discussed future collaboration between the regions aiming to set up a partnership that will last.

The high-ranking officials signed a program of joint actions for 2008-2010 pertaining to cooperation in employment sector, small- and medium-sized business, culture, tourism, sports, education and exhibition activity. A presentation of social and economic development of the Vologda Oblast and Vastmanland was held as part of the project. On a visit to Cherepovets, an industrial centre of the Vologda region, the Swedish delegation led by governor of Vastmanland Mats Svegfors met the top leadership of the city and local entrepreneurs. The program of the Days of Vastmanland in Vologda Oblast also included a meeting of Mr. Svegfors with the professors and students of the Vologda State Pedagogical University and Cherepovets State University.