On 29 April 2016, the Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh, Mr Andrey Pritsepov, visited the University of Strathclyde where he met with the Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sir Jim McDonald, as well as with Prof John Bachtler, Dr Irene McMaster and Viktoriya Dozhdeva of the European Policies Research Centre. John Bachtler gave an overview of EPRC’s research on Russia-related topics carried out at EPRC, and Irene McMaster briefed the Consul General on EPRC’s engagement in Euro-Arctic cooperation, particularly in the context of the Bodø process.
EPRC has a long standing interest in Russian territorial development issues. Since 1993, it has undertaken a number of research projects touching upon regional development in Russia, the involvement of Russian regions in EU territorial cooperation programmes, and wider collaboration initiatives, most notably involving Arctic collaboration.
During the meeting, both parties expressed interest in strengthening cooperation, and EPRC’s strategic plans to develop further its involvement in Russian regional research was greeted with support from the Consul General.