The Barents Regional Council, BEAC, unites 14 member regions and a representative of the indigenous peoples in the Northernmost parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden and North-West Russia.
At the same time as the BEAC was established in 1993 by the signing of the Kirkenes Declaration, the regional representatives, together with the indigenous peoples signed a co-operation protocol that established the Regional Council for the Barents Euro-Arctic Region. It has the same objectives as the BEAC – to support and promote co-operation and development in the Barents Region. The protocol determines the structure and the general aims of the regional co-operation.
Finland has decided in October 2024 to withdraw from the BEAC. The related process is currently underway. However, the withdrawal is subject to a transition period of one year, which means that Finland will normally participate in BEAC activities until the end of 2025.
Finland was chair of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in 2021-2023.
For more information, please visit: Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation
