International cooperation has a special place in activities of the Park.

Paanajarvi National Park is the only Russian park with a membership in international conservationist organization PAN Parks foundation. This organization was founded under the auspices of WWF and today it unites eleven national parks in Europe which are especially unique from the point of view of condition of the nature ecosystems, effectiveness of management and participation of local populace in their activities.

Initially the first Certificate of correspondence to the criteria and standards of PAN Parks was awarded to Paanajarvi National Park in October 2005. In 2012 the Park confirmed correspondence to the criteria for the third time and together with Oulanka National Park of Finland received the certificate of correspondence to the international standards from the European organization PAN Parks.

The two National Parks were certified by the European commission as one integrated protected nature area providing high quality tourist services. Undisturbed by human activities territories occupy 2/3 of the area of Paanajarvi National Park in contrast with any other European protected nature area. Whereas Oulanka National Park achieved outstanding results of cooperation with local business-partners.

The Parks have jointly elaborated a Strategy of sustainable development for the nearest 5 years and a program of mutual activities in the sphere of protection of nature territories, ecological education and tourism.

Cross-border cooperation of protected nature areas makes a significant contribution to conservation of the European nature and cultural heritage. Such cooperation also fosters strengthening of peace and understanding between the peoples. In 2005 Federation of European Parks proclaimed the Russian Paanajarvi NP and Finnish Oulanka NP the best twin-territory in Europe in trans-border cooperation.

Paanajarvi National Park for many years was the kick-off platform for launching of various international projects. In January 2013 a contract was signed with the Forests and Parks service of Finland in the framework of Program «Karelia ENPI CBC». This Program envisages implementation in the close-to-border territories of Russia and Finland of investment project ‘Development of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia through sustainable trans-border nature and cultural tourism’. The works under the Project will be carried out before 31.12.2014.