On 16 and 17  March the Embassy together with the Trade Council Offices in Bucharest and in Budapest successfully carried through a broad interdisciplinary seminar on cross-border cooperation (Sweden - Romania - Hungary) in the city of Oradea (Romania) and in the city of Debrecen (Hungary) in cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce in the two cities.

Oradea (within an hour's bus trip to Debrecen) was earlier situated in a distressed area but has, thanks to extensive investments, evolved into the center of an increasingly interesting and economically dynamic region bordering to Hungary with the economically vibrant cities of Debrecen and Békéschaba as the main hubs for the increase in Romanian -Hungarian cross-border cooperation.
 
The seminar, which was inaugurated by Ambassador Mats Åberg and the President of the Oradea Chamber, Ioan Micula, discussed cooperation and subregional economic integration and the interesting new opportunities that this cooperation can create both with regard to business ( infrastructure related to energy, environment, communications, etc.) and the advancement in scientific, cultural and educational exchange. There was also an exchange of opinions on how this cooperation can contribute to the mutual benefits of economic and industrial development in the concerned region and countries.
 
Several experts participated in the seminar, among them were Professor Thomas Lundén from Södertörn University, Dr. Sándor Köles from the International Center for Democratic Transition in Budapest and the representatives of the economic faculties of Hungarian and Romanian universities. In addition, the seminar also had participants from the Swedish Trade Council in Budapest and Bucharest as well as key persons from the administration and industry in Oradea, Debrecen and Békéschaba.

The second day of the seminar was spent in Debrecen with the regional Chamber of Commerce. Visits related to cross-border cooperation and its effects was made in a major station for waste recycling and to a factory which manufactures and assembles electronic equipment.

Good opportunities for contact and networking was given, especially during the two working lunches and the dinner.

The seminar has, as a previous similar event in Iasi, Romania, and in Ungheni, Moldova, in November 2008, been very appreciated. The Embassy staff has received a lot of positive reactions from different high-level sources.