The political ambition expressed by the NSPA through the Vision is to ensure that its growth potential and general importance for European economic development is recognised. At the same time, it needs to be acknowledged that sparse population patterns can require regulatory special treatment, measures to preserve local communities from external shocks and relatively higher costs in terms of infrastructure investments and public service provision. Taken in combination, these elements form the basis for the branding of the NSPA as a 'Strong, Specific and Promising' European macro-region.