Vejonis at the Nordic-Baltic-Russian Round Table in Syktyvkar 15 May

“International cooperation, at all levels and in different shapes, is a prerequisite for a continued democratic, social and economic development of the region. There are numerous potentials that can be harvested through enhanced cooperation in the region. A fundamental demand, however, is that economic development is pursued in a manner that safeguards social and environmental sustainability” said BSPC Vice Chairman Raimonds Vejonis in his address at the parliamentary Round Table in Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi, 15-16 May. The Round Table is an annual event that gathers parliamentarians from the Nordic Council, the Russian federal Assembly, the Parliamentary Association of North-West Russia, and BSPC. “Cooperation on for instance energy, infrastructure and logistics can improve both the external and internal accessibility of the region, which is necessary precondition for entrepreneurship, economic growth and competitiveness” Vejonis pointed out, and continued by stressing that BSPC has repeatedly called on the governments to make sustained efforts to facilitate mobility for people and enterprises, and to intensify the efforts for a gradual phasing out of the visa regime between EU- and non-EU- countries. “A sincere and expanded dialogue with citizens, NGOs, civic organizations and others should therefore be an integral part of political cooperation and decision-making. It is of particular importance to ensure that indigenous people and youth can be involved in the decision-making processes that are shaping the region, Vejonis stated, and emphasized that “the work of NGOs in the Baltic Sea Region should be supported, facilitated and heeded. The imposition of legislation that restricts international cooperation should be abolished”.