emphasizing the deep connections between the Nordic Council and the BSPC and pointing out the utmost importance of parliamentary dialogue in times of crisis:
„The cooperation between the Nordic Council and the BSPC has been a true success story.
From the very beginning the Nordic Council has been a driving force for the BSPC and its work. The BSPC provides our countries with a political platform for parliamentarians from countries both within and outside the European Union to meet and form opinions, make use of political influence in relation to questions of regional importance, and organize a variety of joint political activities. I believe it is this pan-European approach that makes the BSPC so unique and so worthwhile to be its member.Deep connections between the Nordic Council and the BSPC are visible by the fact that many members of the Nordic Council have been very active in the work of BSPC“, Vucans pointed out.
“One step of utmost importance” in times of crisis as we have currently in the eastern neighborhood of the Baltic Sea Region, “is to continue the dialogue. This can best be done by focusing on those issues that bind all actors together. The Nordic Council and the BSPC, for instance, are deeply connected through a host of issues of common interest. We have dealt and are dealing with energy policy, climate change, research and development, human trafficking, welfare and culture. This years` annual conference of the BSPC in August in Olsztyn also put culture center-stage under the overall heading “Quest for Harmony”. There was plenty of room to voice concerns regarding the developments in the eastern Ukraine; however we also used cultural issues as a means to reflect on those elements that bind all members of the BSPC together – including Russia. Let me quote this years´ BSPC final resolution. We expressed our deep concern over the crises in Ukraine and we were welcoming all steps that contribute to a peaceful solution of the crises. We also stressed the importance of continuing and developing cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, including Northern Dimension, and of perpetuating the open, broad and trust-building dialogue within our networks and institutions” he continued.
“There are countless fields, where cooperation is possible and where it can yield results. The Nordic Council and the BSPC have proven that such cooperation can be very fruitful for the development of our common region. It is my hope that we can transfer this experience to the entire Baltic Sea Region and to thereby keep up the dialogue and conduct active peace policy. Let us jointly face this challenge.” Janis Vucans concluded.