MV in Germany and Europe
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the northernmost German federal state, it is true, but since the EU's eastward extension it is now located in the middle of Europe: As a Baltic Sea border state and with its border to Poland, our federal state is the gateway to the Baltic states and Scandinavia. Due to the federal system of Germany and its membership in the European Union, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern disposes of unlimited sovereign rights. The federal state can influence decisions taken at the federal level, above all, by taking part in the work of the upper house of the German parliament. Furthermore Mecklenburg-Vorpommern maintains federal representation in the federal capital of Berlin – a centre of attraction for representatives from politics, industry and commerce, science and culture as well as interested citizens from home and abroad.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also participates in EU matters through the Federal Council of Germany (Bundesrat). Moreover the state represents its own interests with an information office in Brussels and through the Committee of the Regions (Ausschuss der Regionen - AdR). Within the European Union Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is considered a target 1 region and therefore receives substantial support from the EU structure funds.
Our federal state actively supports cross-border co-operation in the Baltic region. There are partnerships with the voivodeships of Pommeria and Western Pommeria in Poland as well as with South-west Finland and the Leningrad region (Russian Federation). In addition a partnership with the French region of Poitou-Charentes also exists.
