Today ECR MEP Rupert Matthews launched Projekt Hansa to promote trade, tourism and develop cultural links across northern Europe.

The new initiative builds on the legacy of the medieval Hanseatic League which established trade links across the British Isles, Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Baltic.

Chair of Projekt Hansa, Rupert Matthews MEP, said: " We are using an old idea to bring new life to northern Europe's trade and cultural connections which I hope will strengthen the economies of all our countries.

"The Hanseatic League is a famous part of our vibrant shared history in northern Europe and can still act as an inspiration today to boost the links between our countries.

"Projekt Hansa will create a network of businesses across Europe, putting them in touch with trade experts and each other. Hand in hand with this will come a deeper understanding of our cultural connections as we involve communities and tourist bodies."

Projekt Hansa is a European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR) Group initiative, founded by Mr Matthews with the support of ECR MEPs from across northern Europe.

German ECR MEP, Ulrike Trebesius, said: "The Hanseatic League is an important part of Germany history. I am pleased to support an initiative that reinvents it for the 21^st century to provide tangible economic and cultural benefits for all our countries."

Danish ECR MEP, Anders Vistisen, said: "Projekt Hansa is a very practical way of promoting links across northern Europe. Introducing Danish companies to businesses in, for instance, the UK or Germany can only be positive."

Projekt Hansa's first event will be held on the 15^th February in Nottingham were local businesses will be encouraged to export and connected with trade experts. In the following months there will be events across northern Europe, including Hannover and Copenhagen.

ENDS

Contact: Cameron Smith, cameron.j.smith@europarl.europa.eu, +44 77 69 833605

The ECR was created to take the EU in a new direction, according to the principles of our founding Prague Declaration. It is the third largest group in the European Parliament with 74 MEPs from 18 EU states.

For more information on the ECR, watch our promotional video at http://youtu.be/F5syQt1JuQI or visit our website: www.ecrgroup.eu