Conference Report

Northern Dimension & the Oceans and SeasText: Anja HayesBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference SecretariatNordic CouncilStore Strandstræde 18DK-1255 Copenhagen KPhone (+45) 33 96 04 00Fax (+45) 33 11 18 70www.norden.org Reykjavík · 4–5 September, 2006ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51ehT■noisnemiDnrehtroNsaeSdnasnaecOeht&noisnemiDnrehtroNsaeSdnasnaecOeht&ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51ehTseyaHajnA:txeT.6002,rebmetpeS5–4·kívajkyeRSpeeches at the Conferenceare to be found at www.bspc.netNorthern Dimension & the Oceans and Seas The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference isan annually organised conference where par-© Nordic Council, Copenhagen 2006liamentarians from both national and regionalPrint: Akaprint a/s, Århus 2006parliaments in the Baltic Sea region participate.Text: Anja HayesDesign: Kjell Olsson According to its objectives bspc shall aim atCopies: 700 strengthening the common identity of the BalticPrinted on environmentally-friendly paper Sea Region by close co-operation between par-liaments. bspc shall initiate and guide politicalPrinted in Denmarkactivities in the region and further regionalco-operation especially towards the Council ofBaltic Sea States. The Conference is a forum fordebate and information exchange between par-liaments and other organisations in the region.www.bspc.netThe Nordic Council was formed in 1952 topromote cooperation between the parliamentsand governments of Denmark, Iceland, Norwayand Sweden. Finland joined in 1955. At theThe Nordic Council Secretariat sessions held by the Council, representativesin Copenhagen functions as secretariat from the Faroe Islands and Greenland formfor the bspc. part of the Danish delegation, while Åland isrepresented on the Finnish delegation. TheNordic Council Council consists of 87 elected members – all ofStore Strandstræde 18 whom are members of parliament. The Nordicdk-1255 Copenhagen K Council takes initiatives, acts in a consultativePhone (+45) 33 96 04 00 capacity and monitors cooperation measures.Fax (+45) 33 11 18 70 The Council operates via its institutions: thePlenary Assembly, the Presidium and standingwww.norden.org committees.ForwordIt gives me great pleasure to write an introduction to this publi-cation which contains report on the 15th Baltic Sea Parliamen-tary Conference bspc and contributions by its participants. Inaddition to the interventions by the key note speakers, there wasa lively debate throughout the two-day event in Reykjavik, the 3beautiful capital of Iceland, which made it possible for differentviews of opinion to be expressed. The Extended Standing Com-mittee, convening due to the new rules during the conference asa drafting committee, was busy preparing the text of the Resolu-tion, its members not always readily agreeing with each other.However, the final agreement was reached and a well-balancedresolution was adopted by the conference.I firmly believe that the 15th Conference in Reykjavik was a suc-cess. I can only hope that its participants will agree with mewhen I state that the conference made valuable contribution tothe parliamentary co-operation in the region.The Conference also provided a further proof of the strengthen-ing of the ties of friendship and vitally important co-operationbetween its participants.Finally, I would like to thank the members of the Standing Com-mittee for their efforts and excellent co-operation. The StandingCommittee has been working hard in order to make the BalticSea Region and the parliamentary co-operation stronger duringthe period between the 14th and 15th conferences. I also extendmy gratitude to the oldest parliament in the world, Althingi, andits Speaker for their hospitality during the days in Iceland.Ms Arja Alhochair of the bspc standing committeesaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNThe 15th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference –Northern Dimension and the Oceans and Seasi.Northern Dimension and5the Oceans and SeasThe 15th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (bspc) took placein Reykjavík, the northernmost European capital with the oldestparliament dating back to the year of 930. Although distant tothe Baltic Sea, it served as the perfect host for this year’s Confer-ence with its extraordinary nature and welcoming atmosphere.At the Conference issues such as the environment, with particu-lar focus on the Baltic Sea, the Northern Dimension and how tofurther strengthen co-operation in the Region, were discussed.These themes have always been central to the discussions in theRegion, but this year special emphasis was put on how to makethe work of the Conference more effective, i.e. how to move fromthe discussion level of activities to the concretisation of them.The objective of the bspc is to strengthen the common iden-tity of the Baltic Sea Region by close co-operation betweennational and regional parliaments, and it shall initiate and guidepolitical activities in the Region. The underlying concept of therules for the Standing Committee, which is the permanent politi-cal body of the conference, is to make the presence of parliamen-tary co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region felt beyond the annualconference. All national and regional parliaments in the BalticSea Region send delegates to the annual conference, as do someinvited international organizations as well.ycarcomeDdnaytilibatSrofseitilibisnopseRdnasnrecnoCderahSII.Co-operation inthe Baltic Sea Region6 In her address to the participants of the 15th bspc, Ms SólveigPétursdóttir, the President of the Icelandic Parliament, Althingi,described how Icelanders view themselves as part of the BalticSea Region, if not geographically, then politically and culturally.Because of the strong parliamentary history, Iceland stresses theimportance of inter-parliamentary co-operation, and the bspchas been instrumental in implementing such co-operation in thepast.On the issue of further co-operation in the Region, H.E. Chris-ter Persson, Ambassador, Chairman of the Council of the BalticSea States (cbss) governing body, the Committee of Senior Offi-cials, referred to the 6th Baltic Sea States Summit, which washeld in Reykjavik in June and where for the first time the Chairof the bspc Standing Committee, represented by Ms Arja Alho,was invited. This event can be seen as a further strengthening ofthe co-operation between the governments and Parliaments inthe Baltic Sea Region. Mr Persson explained that, on the initia-tive of the bspc, a more formalized collaboration had been dis-cussed on several occasions in the cbss Committee of SeniorOfficials, but without any successful outcome. The reason for thisbeing that a formal document is not required in order reachcloser co-operation on the working level, and he stressed theimportance of co-operation with parliamentarians. Mr. KurtBodewig, mp of the Federal Republic of Germany, agreed withMr Persson on this issue, nevertheless, a formal agreement wouldfacilitate co-operation between the cbss and the bspc. Amongthe objectives under the Swedish cbss Presidency we find envi-ronment and safety; transportation; and, trade and investmentand with a motto reading:“ Co-operation to achieve common objectives, greater visibility,and concrete results in collaboration with other regional coun-cils, structures and organizations, and with countries in thevicinity of the Baltic Sea States”ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht517Ms Arja Alho and Ms Sólveig Pétursdóttir.Ms Arja Alho, Finnish mp and Chair of the bspc, pointed out afew very important issues in her report from the bspc StandingCommittee. Although the Baltic Sea Region has a combination ofnatural and human resources, and economic growth is the high-est in Europe, there are still big differences between the countriesin this region. Ms Alho expressed her gratitude to see so manyparticipants at this year’s Conference, which evidenced that par-liamentary democracy has been established and founded in theregion. She also stressed the importance of discussing commonissues and putting them on the agenda. Ms Alho explained thatthe rules of the Conference had been changed at the previousConference in Vilnius in 2005 and that representatives from bothBundestag in Germany and the European Parliament haveassumed their tasks in the Standing Committee. Another impor-tant issue has been to implement the Conference Resolution and,in addition to this, also to work by a written work programme,which has been developed during the past year. Moreover, for thefirst time the Extended Standing Committee will discuss the Res-olution at this Conference, which will hopefully bring about con-tinuity in the representation of the national and regional parlia-ments. Co-operation between the bspc and the cbss has reacheda new level during the past years, and co-operation needs to pre-vail in order to increase welfare, strengthen cohesion and civilsociety, and facilitate economic growth in the Region. Otherimportant instruments in further developing co-operation in theRegion are eu policies and activities in the Baltic Sea area, andthe observer status the bspc has at the Helsinki Commission,saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNhelcom. Furthermore, by information exchange between thebspc and inter-parliamentary regional bodies in South-EastEurope, such as the pabsec, further co-operation can beachieved. Ms Alho also presented new financial decisions to sup-port the work of the secretariat. At present the Nordic Council isin charge of all the costs for the secretariat and as the bspc hasbecome established as an important actor in the Region andthrough further co-operation with other organisations thesecosts have increased. Consequently, the bspc has copied a modelfrom the cbss and modified it accordingly to invite also regional8 parliaments to contribute to the payments of the bspc. This initi-ative has received positive feedback and all (but one) parliamentsare prepared to pay their contributions.In his greeting to the Conference participants, Mr Petar Dimi-trov, Chair of the Bulgarian delegation to the ParliamentaryAssembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (pabsec),indicated that the agendas of the bspc and the pabsec are verysimilar; they both comprise environmental, marine strategyissues, and how to further co-operation in the regions in ques-tion. Mr Dimitrov stressed the importance of participating ateach other’s conferences since this will increase parliamentaryconnections between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea regions.Mr Ole Stavad, the President of the Nordic Council, expressedhis views on how to achieve parliamentary influence. By beingparliamentarians, who not only represent themselves, but alsotheir party groups and parliaments, power is almost unlimitedonce agreement can be achieved among the participants of theConference. Unfortunately, however, a reduction of the level ofpriority given to the Baltic Sea co-operation on the part of manygovernments in the Region can be noted. Mr Stavad stressed thatthe opportunities that can be created for the countries neigh-bouring on the Baltic Sea can only be done in close co-operationwith Russia and a close and strong participation on the part ofRussia. Parliamentarians have the leverage to pressuse their gov-ernments, since these depend on the parliaments, and by follow-ing-up on agreed decisions governments are required to followthe parliamentarians’ decisions. The parliamentarians attendingthe Conference were thus urged to strive for a situation where thegovernments turn to them asking for co-operation since they seethe need for it. His proposal was therefore to design a model thatincludes some following-up measures, which could include indi-vidual country reports, on mutual agreed decisions in the indi-vidual parliaments. He continued by giving examples of how tomake the entire Baltic Sea Region into a global winner region,just like the Nordic countries.ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht519Mr Franz ThönnesBy having a flat power structure and inclusive welfare measures(e.g. social security nets where the unemployed have financialsecurity, everybody has the right to free education and free healthcare) together with competition between the countries create thebasis for a winning region. There are many areas that need jointefforts in order for an effective outcome to be possible. Oneexample being the development of the ngos which can co-oper-ate across national frontiers. To conclude, Mr Stavad called for allto do their homework and report back on what initiatives havebeen taken at home, something that was agreed upon by many ofthe participants of the Conference. Everyone should be open andmake use of constructive criticism, as these were the only meansin order for co-operation to be strengthened, Mr Stavad stressed.Mr Franz Thönnes, German mp and State Secretary, howeverdisagreed with Mr Stavad and said that in his opinion, it is unfea-sible for governments to seek assistance from the parliamentari-ans, but that the two should rather work on the same level. Inaddition to continue the discussions at home, it should be donein accordance with the Conference Resolution, Mr Thönnes sug-gested.saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNMs Birgit Schwebs, mp of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, agreedthat the only effective way to promote the concerns of the Confer-ence is by adopting the Resolutions, and to then go home andadopt them in the individual parliaments, followed by callingupon the governments to act upon the recommendations inthem. This process also includes calling upon the governments toreport back to the individual parliaments, which has been doneby the Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. She thereforeurged all participating parliaments to introduce the same processas it would have a positive impact in terms of a more in-depth10 discussion of the bspc recommendations in the cbss.Ms Anke Spoorendonk, mp of Schleswig-Holstein, represent-ing the Danish speaking minority, suggested that the model onlanguage and minority affairs adopted in Schleswig-Holstein,could be used in the future when addressing minority issues.Mr Lech Woszczerowicz, Polish Deputy, voiced concernsregarding Russian and Polish relations. The issue in question isshipping in the Vistula lagoon, where, according to Mr Woszcze-rowicz, the Russian side has closed the Pilawa Strait from time totime, and the situation needs to be resolved. The Polish ForeignMinister sent a letter to his Russian colleagues in February 2006and is still waiting for a reply.Ms Outi OjalaMs Outi Ojala, Finnish mp, reported that there have been greatexpectations since her report on the role of the ngos in the BalticSea area was published. However, very little has actually hap-pened. At the cbss Summit in June Ms Alho, in the capacity ofChair of the bspc Standing Committee, explained the importanceof the work of ngos and the need for securing both the legal andecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht5111Mr Christer Perssoneconomic prerequisites for further strengthening co-operation inthe Region on this subject.As a response to Ms Ojala, Mr Persson explained that therehas been for the past years an expanding co-operation betweenthe ngo Forum and the Working Group on Democratic Institu-tions of the cbss. That co-operation is ongoing and constantlydeveloping. The cbss fully realises the important role played byngos in the Region. Lengthy discussions with the Forum havebeen taking place prior to the meeting this autumn, which doesnot mean that the Swedish Presidency of the cbss has any inten-tions of influencing the contents of the Forum, which is an inde-pendent body. Mr Persson explained that provided the cbssreceives concrete feedback from the ngo Forum into the govern-mental work on what is important for the ngos and the peopleand public they represent, the cbss will definitely listen to suchsuggestions.Mr Vatanyar Yagya, Vice-Chairman of the St. Petersburg Leg-islative Assembly, pointed out that the bspc has already shownhow active it is in the Region and that the whole process of co-operation has already happened. However, Mr Yagya expressedconcerns regarding Belarus. Isolating an entire country, its par-liament and its people from any dialogue with the region aroundit is unacceptable, he said. He appreciated that due to the politi-cal events taking place in Belarus, granting it with either mem-bership or even observer status at the bspc could be difficult forsome of the members of the bspc. Therefore, he called for analternative solution. Mr Yagya proposed for a Belarussian delega-tion to be invited to listen to and observe the ongoing discussionsof the bspc and to thereby see how issues are dealt with demo-saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNcratically within the Region. He, as a professor at the Universityof St. Petersburg, also pointed out the importance of educationand how this is related to labour markets, which will be discussedfurther in Berlin in 2007.Mr Persson asked the bspc for suggestions on how the cbsscould and should co-operate with parliaments in the Region. Pre-viously he had called for “practical and concrete possibilities ofco-operation”, and he suggested that this could be done throughthe strengthening of the co-operation between Working Groups.Ms Astrid Hoefs, mp of Schleswig-Holstein, confirmed that the12 bspc position in cbss had been strengthened.With regards to Belarus, Mr Persson said that the Republic ismentioned in the Swedish cbss Presidency Priorities, and thatthere is actually ongoing co-operation on the practical levelbetween the cbss and Belarus. Since the cbss works on the con-sensus principle and eight members have decided not to have anycontacts on the political level, meaning at the ministerial level,with the Republic of Belarus, such co-operation is not possible atpresent. He stressed that this decision does in no way mean thatthere is any intention to isolate the Belarussian people or otherinstitutions, ngos and parliamentarians. The intention is there-fore to work practically, technically, with Belarus in areas wherethere is a mutual interest for the cbss countries and Belarus.Ms Alho asked the participants of the Conference what theproper ways to act at home would be. She also stressed that theissue needs further discussion at the next Standing Committeemeeting and agreed that reports could work to monitor theprogress of the bspc. For co-operation to be optimal the door willnot be closed to anyone in the catchment area, and she high-lighted that co-operation with the pabsec is a useful instrumentfor the bspc, as is the observer status at helcom, especially instrengthening the co-operation with Russia.Mr Sigurður Kári Kristánsson, Icelandic mp and member ofthe Standing Committee of Arctic Parliamentarians, referred tothe Arctic Parliamentary Conference in Kiruna in August 2006,where further co-operation with regards to environment, searchand rescue matters needs to increase. He explained that such co-operation should not be limited to the Arctic region, butextended to adjacent areas.ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51IV.Oceans and SeasMr Berndt Röder, President of the State Parliament of the Freeand Hanse City of Hamburg, discussed in the light of the Euro- 13pean Commission’s Green Paper, the importance of maritimepolicy and marine protection and stressed that these two can nolonger be separated. The protection of natural resources is a pre-condition for good economic development and it is therefore nec-essary to create awareness of the problems that are encounteredand accept environmental measures. The Green Paper, whichfocuses on economic growth, social prosperity and environmen-tal protection, is nothing less than the creation of a dynamic, sus-tainable maritime economy for the 21st Century. Moreover, thereare political measures in place to regulate various types of mari-time activity however; the breakdown into the different politicalfields makes it difficult to predict the potential impact of one areaon another or to predict possible conflicts of interest in advance.The challenge is to optimize current and future maritime eco-nomic activity. A holistic policy should aim at accessing the con-siderable growth potentials and at the same time guarantee theprotection of the marine environment. He pointed out that suchgoals are very much in line with the Lisbon Strategy of sustaina-ble growth, employment and security. An integrated maritimepolicy opens many promising opportunities for all in the Region,not least in financial terms. Nevertheless, greater co-operationand co-ordination in order to preserve the health of the BalticSea can achieve better prosperity and higher standards of livingfor the people in the Region, Mr. Röder concluded.Mr Miezyslaw S. Ostojskichair of helcom, described the Bal-tic Sea as a shallow semi-enclosed sea with slow water exchange.The main environmental challenges are therefore to fighteutrophication and hazardous substances in order to reducedestruction habitats and biodiversity (including over-fishing).Other worries Mr Ostojski expressed were the growing maritimeand off-shore activities. helcom wants to have the EcosystemApproach, which was agreed by the Ministers in 2003, and usethe helcom Baltic Sea Action Plan to do so. The Baltic SeaAction Plan identifies ecological objectives, indicators and tar-gets in order to achieve agreed objectives. The Plan also has awide stakeholders’ involvement with high political commitmentsaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroN14by the Contracting Parties. The actions are scientifically soundand clearly linked to processes in the Baltic ecosystem and theseactions are based on sub-regional specifics of the Baltic and oncost-benefit and cost-effective analysis. National policies shouldnot be forgotten, and through the use of international and/orEuropean policies, such as the Water Framework Directive,Marine Strategy, Maritime Strategy, eu Common AgriculturalPolicy, and eu Financial Mechanisms and Programmes, andinput to political processes, actions can be implemented.Mr Jón Ólafsson, Expert at Iceland’s Marine Research Insti-tute (mri), explained the scientific implications the changingconditions have on our seas. The level of carbon dioxide is grow-ing, the reason for this being higher emission levels of nutrients,which affects the health of the seas negatively. An increase in car-bon dioxide means that the acidity of the water increases, whichin turn has a negative biological impact: as the acidity increases,the biological variation of the sea decreases, which results indiminished species in the seas and hence, economic losses.Mr Árni Múli Jónasson, Expert from Iceland’s Ministry ofFisheries, gave examples of how Iceland manages its fisheries.The Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for the long term plan-ning and policy making of fisheries, and it acts upon recommen-dations made by the mri. The Directorate of Fisheries isentrusted with the day to day administration of fisheries and foodmonitoring, whereas the Icelandic Coast Guard is responsible forpatrol, monitoring and rescue operations in Icelandic waters.The Individual Transferable Quota (itq) system has been setupto issue permits for commercial fishing, where the Ministry ofFisheries decides which species to include under the system andecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht5115what the total allowable catch ought to be. In the Icelandicmodel, vessels are obliged to have a catch quota for their catchesin all species. There are also regulations concerning the type offishing gear permitted, e.g. minimum mesh size etc. Should a ves-sel take catches in excess of its catch quota, it will be suspendedfrom fishing. The objectives of the policies driven by of the Minis-try of Fisheries are to achieve sustainable utilisation of all marineresources; preserve the oceans’ biodiversity and ecosystem; and,ensure all decisions are based on the best available scientific andeconomic information.Mr Asanbuba Nyudyurbegov, Russian mp, Vice-Chairman ofthe Committee on Environment in the State Duma, said that theenvironmental questions discussed were impressive and impor-tant, and highlighted the dangers of the chemical weapons on theBaltic Sea seabed. Mr Nyudyurbegov stressed that Russia willmake sure that no leaking of any nuclear substances will takeplace. He said that damages to the sea environment are mostlycaused by transportation but the issue is being addressedthrough joint projects and implementation of new technology inthe Finnish Gulf. He argued that the North-European Gas Pipe-line will hardly touch the seabed and that the project can guaran-tee safety.Mr Asmund Kristoffersen, Norwegian mp, Chairman of thebspc Working Group on Eutrophication, and Chairman of theNordic Council Environment and Natural Resources Committee,explained that the Working Group had been established in Janu-ary 2006 to raise political and public awareness and focus on theeutrophication problem. Mr Kristoffersen explained how the eco-logical balance has been disrupted by over-enrichment by nutri-saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNents and that this causes problems for fisheries and for the recre-ational opportunities at sea and on the coasts. He also encour-aged the cbss and national governments to implement the euWater Framework Directive and the eu Marine Strategy, sincethis would be a vital part for the ecological status of the sea. MrKristoffersen stressed that the eu Common Agricultural Policyhas a tremendous influence on the agricultural mode of produc-tion, and hence on that sector’s input of Nitrogen and Phospho-rous to the Baltic Sea. Mr Ostojski pointed out that the levels ofthese substances need to be reduced by 10 and 35 per cent16 respectively. Mr Kristoffersen also urged all participants to workpolitically at home in order for a joint agriculture and environ-ment ministers’ meeting to take place in 2007. At such a meetingministers would develop a regional approach to the implementa-tion of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Water Frame-work Directive and thereby strive for a less eutrophicated BalticSea. Ms Schwebs said that the Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vor-pommern supported and welcomed a joint ministerial meetingbetween both the ministers of environment and the ministers ofagriculture, to take place in 2007 and asked the Working Groupif it were able to submit recommendations at such a conferenceas this would be useful. Ms Schwebs continued by thanking theWorking Group on Eutrophication and pointed out that it haddeveloped a questionnaire on the current status of political meas-ures already implemented in this field. It had been difficult toobtain answers from all the countries and regions concerned, andall governments were urged to provide their answers, whichwould facilitate the task of the Working Group and that of hel-com. Ms Schwebs also reported that Mecklenburg –Vorpommernhas not only been directly involved in the activities of the Work-ing Group, but that discussions are initiated in the relevant par-liamentary committees. On the issue of integrated Maritime Pol-icy, Ms Schwebs said that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern hadadopted a resolution on recommendations for action in theframework of the Southern Baltic Sea Parliamentary Forum heldin May 2006 in Kiel. She suggested that a Working Group on thisissue would be established. It could submit a position paper ofthe bspc to the European Commission during the consultationprocess on the Green Paper.Ms Hoefs pointed out that the Directive’s objective is to imple-ment the aims, which are good environmental health in groundwaters, lakes and seas, and called for the setting up of an euGreen Paper Parliamentary Working Group, since parliamentari-ans need to be part of the work.Mr Yagya referred to the discussions that took place in theSecond Conference in Oslo in as early as 1992 regarding environ-mental issues and, in particular, what lies on the bottom of theecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51Baltic Sea. He suggested that nato be involved if the Region can-not find a concrete solution to how to remove the chemical weap-ons from the seabed.Mr Kimmo Sasi, Finnish mp, addressed a question to theChair of the cbss, Mr Persson, regarding Sweden’s intentions tostop the North-European gas pipeline project. Mr Persson clari-fied that Sweden had no intentions of stopping the project, butthat the Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson, had expressedconcerns regarding the project.Mr Stavad, as the bspc observer at helcom, gave an updateon the North-European Gas Pipeline and said that neither of the 17parties has applied for permission for an environmental assess-ment, and that this needs to be agreed by all the countries in theRegion. He also explained that the project falls under the 1991Espoo Convention, and that all countries but Russia have ratifiedthe agreement. Russia has signed the document and by doing sosignalled that they will comply with it.Mr Karl-Martin Hentschel, mp of Schleswig-Holstein,referred to Mr Stavad’s encouragement of being constructive incriticism, and welcomed the criticism regarding the planned gaspipeline. Different parliaments in Europe see different problemareas on this issue, and Mr Hentschel therefore proposed that theGreen Paper would be used to solve the effluent emissions intothe sea; over-fishing, by granting two catch quotas; and shippingand maritime safety. He also suggested a unified harbour policy.He was happy that the bspc had initiated its own working paper,but proposed that the eu Green Book be extended and that MrJoe Borg, eu Commissioner in charge of the European MaritimePolicy, be invited to this meeting.The market for illegal fishing is considerable in the Baltic Seaarea and therefore a need for binding agreements is vital in orderto give more political power to the issue, Mr Ivar Kristiansen,a Norwegian mp said. If the question of how to clean up the Bal-tic Sea cannot be resolved, then eventually, Mr. Kristiansen said,un Resolution will be needed, and called for greater co-operationon the subject. Mr Sverker Thorén, Swedish mp, agreed andadded that more protective measures are required.Ms Veronica Thörnroos, mp of the Parliament of Åland,pointed out that the Åland Islands are made up of over 6500 islesand for those living there clean water is a pre-condition for theirstandard of living. The two main industries are tourism and ship-ping. At the moment households need to re-do their sewage sys-tems in order to reduce the emissions of phosphorous and nitro-gen. The inhabitants of these islands have questioned this policybecause it is a very expensive undertaking and because daily overone thousand ships traffic the seas around Åland, and dischargetheir completely untreated sewage water in accordance withsaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNmarpol 73/78. Ms Thörnroos therefore called for more concreteactions and for harbours to be able to accept sewage from theships, something that, to her best knowledge, harbours in neitherFinland nor Sweden are equipped for today.Mr Gabriel Romanus, Swedish mp and Member of the NordicCouncil, spoke of the dangers of the Gas Pipeline Project since itwill be placed on the seabed where fishing will become prohib-ited. He pointed out that there are plenty of mines in addition tothe chemical weapons on the seabed, and that therefore theproject raises questions regarding the economy, energy supply18 and security. Mr Romanus called for Russia and Germany towork for an alternative solution, one which can be more accepta-ble in the region.Mr Manuel Sarrazin, mp of the Free and Hanse City of Ham-burg, pointed out that St. Petersburg and Hamburg are twin cit-ies and that therefore Hamburg has been actively involved in thesponsoring of sewage systems in St. Petersburg. Mr Sarrazin alsourged for closer co-operation with Russia and to not close thedoor to anyone once the Green Paper has been published.Ms Christel Happach-Kasan, German mp and a member ofthe Working Group on Eutrophication, noted that since the1990s, when the political changes took place in the Region, greatimprovements can be observed. She pointed out that maritimesafety depends on ship affluence and that the quality of the sea isnot only determined by wastewater treatment, but also dieselemissions. Greater awareness about what can be used at seaneeds to be launched.Mr Trivimi Velliste, Estonian mp, referred to Charles Darwin’stheory of struggle for life and posed the question whether it isbetter to enter into competition with each other or should notcountries seek to foster co-operation. He agreed with Mr Perssonregarding closer co-operation and striving for more concreteresults; and Mr Stavad and with Mr Romanus concerning moreopenness among parliamentarians and alternative measures.Mr Thönnes pointed out that the North-European Gas Pipe-line, which will be part of the Trans-European Network (ten), isa private project and that it needs to adhere to regulations. Healso highlighted that all states are allowed to lay lines on the sea-bed with the approval of the other states, meetings are being heldand co-operation is on-going. ngos will be, if they not alreadyare, involved. Ms Dorota Arciszewska-Mielewczyk, Polish Sena-tor, stressed that the Gas Pipeline project presents both environ-mental and political issues, where ecological problems lead toenergy and safety issues.ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51V.Northern Dimension PolicyCounsellor from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland, and Mem-ber of the cbss cso, Mr Tauno Pesola, gave background informa- 19tion on the Northern Dimension Policy on behalf of the Finnisheu Presidency. The initiative, started by then Finnish Prime Min-ister Paavo Lipponen in 1997, has through its two Action Plansdeveloped into an important tool for co-operation within theRegion. On the macro level the Policy is a political concept inorder to get eu-attention to Northern Europe, especially North-West Russia, and to develop fields of mutual interest, which isdone on the micro level through partnerships and project activi-ties by various actors (single countries, countries together, theEuropean Commission, ngos etc) in the Northern Dimensionarea. In 2001 the Northern Dimension Environmental Partner-ship (ndep) was established to focus on wastewater, solid waste,energy efficiency and nuclear waste, with current projects run-ning in North-West Russia. Another important partnership is theNorthern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Socialwell being (ndphs), which focuses on hiv/aids, tuberculosis anddiseases related to a low standard of living. The process is two-fold: collection of information and identification of problemspots, and here co-operation and sharing of information betweenthe parties become vital in order for the Partnership to become asuccess. For the future, strengthening the already existing partner-ships and promoting other concrete project activities will be thegoal. Among the Finnish objectives are commitment of all par-ties; additional financing to ndep; and, increased political andfinancial contribution to ndphs. Other Finnish objectives includethe launch of a new partnership on transport and logistics; energyefficiency projects to be included in ndep; and, hopefully to startdiscussing culture, education and student mobility in the Region.Mr Antti Kaikkonen, Finnish mp, pointed out that the mainobjective within Northern Dimension is to support and enhanceco-operation, stability and welfare. During the Finnish Presi-dency three things have been combined: the regional interestwith Russia; the issue areas included in the Northern Dimen-sion; and the wider eu-Russia Dialogue perspective. Mr Kaikko-nen stressed that a real dialogue can only be realized betweenequal partners. An example of where co-operation betweensaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNnational governments, the European Commission, ngos, privateand public financiers, and private companies has been successfuland brought about concrete results is the opening of the St.Petersburg Southwest Wastewater Plant.Mr Sasi asked whether the planned gas pipeline projectshould be implemented into the Northern Dimension Policy andemphasised two things within the Policy: firstly, the importanceof the environment, waste water management in particular; andsecondly, transport routes in the Region, namely European trans-port routes (via Poland to Eastern Europe). Harbour movements20 too need to be facilitated so that customs clearances only take amaximum of a couple of hours.In her report from the bspc Standing Committee, Ms Alhopointed out the relation between the Northern Dimension Policyand the Region. The Policy will be a new one between three non-eu countries (Iceland, Norway and Russia) from the Region andthe eu, i.e. the Baltic Sea Region has therefore been lifted upwithin the Northern Dimension.Ms Diana Wallis, Member of the European Parliament, discussedMs Diana Wallisthe importance of the Policy as both an internal and external pol-icy of the European Union. Ms Wallis warned for limiting thePolicy to the Baltic Sea area, and urged the participants of theConference to applying it to the Arctic region. Since the 1990s,from when the Policy back-dates, Europe has changed greatlyand the European Union has grown. These changes in the BalticSea Region have been facilitated through the Northern Dimen-sion Policy, and it is therefore important to now use this samepolicy to respond to the changes the Arctic region experiencesterms of climate change etc. Ms Anna Kristín Gunnarsdóttir, anIcelandic mp, urged everybody to look outside the box, further tothe Arctic region. Global warming will be most felt there and thiswill have an immediate effect especially on the areas in the vicin-ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht5121Mr Dmitry Polanskiyity. These changes will also affect the fishing grounds and thatclose co-operation is thus strongly needed.Mr Dmitry Polanskiy, Chief of Division, Department of Euro-pean Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia, informedthe Conference participants that meetings on the NorthernDimension are held between partners every month. Initially Rus-sia experienced some difficulties in this field of work since Rus-sia, although an important partner could only implementprojects, not suggest any. Today Russia is on an equal footing,which facilitates co-operation. He said that in his opinion co-operation in health care and social development is not possiblebecause the Region finds itself in a vacuum situation on the dis-cussion level only. Combating hiv and aids is already dealt with,according to Mr Polanskiy, whereas he expressed concernsregarding the financing issue. The greatest fear is whetherenough financing for current and future projects become availa-ble and asked the European Union and the European Commis-sion to clarify where the money will come from.Mr Persson pointed out that the Northern Dimension Policyshould be used as the common policy to deal with the current sit-uation of the environmental status of the Baltic Sea, since it hasbeen a success. The cbss has been recognized as one of the keyplayers for the elaboration and implementation of the new com-mon Northern Dimension policy, Mr Persson explained. Hedescribed the cbss as being the vertical link from the Baltic SeaRegion to all the parties of the Northern Dimension by supplyingsome of the means necessary to achieve the policy objectives. Inorder to implement the new policy, the experience of regionaland local actors, such as the cbss is needed.Mr Kristjan Vaigur, Secretary General of the Baltic Sea TradeUnion Network, bastun, pointed out that Russia is an importantstrategic partner to the European Union, and that it is thereforesaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNbeneficiary for both that co-operation is well-functioningbetween the two. The Northern Dimension Policy is a good toolto accomplish this, but plans need to be realistic and based oncommon understanding in order to be realised. From the bastunpoint of view, the Policy has not touched upon labour marketissues, and Mr Vaigur would therefore like to see developmentsin this direction.Regarding labour markets, Mr Kazimierz Kuberski, Vice-Min-ister of Labour and Social Policy, Poland, stressed the importanceof free movement of workers in the Northern Dimension coun-22 tries and in the European Union in general. In countries withmore restrictive measures on free movement of labour, illegalemployment and abuse of regulations can be noted. Because ofthe gap in standards of living in the Region, it would be profita-ble for the countries to send and receive workers more freely. MrKuberski urged therefore for all countries to facilitate this mobil-ity and remove legal, administrative, practical and mental obsta-cle barriers in order to contribute to more dynamic economicgrowth in the Region.Mr Jan-Henrik Fredriksen, Norwegian mp, said that the envi-ronment, nuclear safety and health care need to be preserved andthat concretisation of the on-going projects is greatly called for.Public health issues, such as fighting hiv/aids and tuberculosisfor instance, need to be dealt with trans-nationally. He urged forinformation sharing and pointed out that Russia is key partner inthese questions. By working together and co-operating all coun-tries will be better off in economic growth terms as the countriesall depend on the neighbouring countries’ economic prospects.Mr Steingrimur J. Sigfusson, Icelandic mp, discussed the needfor further work in the field of labour markets and social dump-ing. He gave as an example the situation of Baltic and Polish ille-gal workers and how such social dumping leads to trafficking inwomen, drug dealing and other criminal activities. Pleased thatlabour markets brought up, Mr Thönnes informed that they willbe further discussed in Berlin next year. He explained how thesemarkets were connected to mobility and information sharing:both workers and employers need to know where they are goingto work and under what conditions and for whom, and vice versa.Mr Thönnes welcomed all the participants to take part of the16th bspc in 2007 in Berlin.At the end of the Plenary Discussion in the Third Session theConference Resolution, which was elaborated by the ExtendedStanding Committee convening during the Conference, wasunanimously adopted, after which Mr Orgolaynen declared theConference closed.ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51VI.Ten Years of Hard WorkThe 15th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference was Ms PäivikkiLindroos’, Head of Secretariat, last Conference. She has left her 23mark with her hard work: during her ten years she became thepersonification of the co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region withher profound commitment and wide and deep knowledge of theArea. Ms Alho thanked Ms Lindroos on behalf of the bspc for hertrue dedication and wished her all the best for the future by refer-ring to Stevie Wonder’s song “Isn’t She Lovely” and handing overthe book Mare Balticum, Mare Nostrum.saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroN24ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51VII. ResolutionAdopted by the 15h Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (bspc)the participants*, elected representatives from the BalticSea States and European Parliament, assembled in Reykjavik, 25Iceland 3–5 September 2006, to discuss co-operation in theBaltic Sea Region, the Northern Dimension and EuropeanMaritime PolicyRegarding the Co-operation in the Regioncall on governments in the Baltic Sea region,the CBSS and the EU togive coordinated support to the new eu neighbouring countriesin building the civil and democratic society and to promotereform processes in these countriesCall on the CBSS tostrengthen the interaction between the cbss and the bspc byfurther reinforcing and developing dialogue and informationexchangeRegarding the Northern Dimension call on the EuropeanCommission and the Governments of Iceland, Norway andRussia topay attention to the results of the Round Table of the NorthernDimension held on 30 January 2006 in Copenhagen andencourage the members of the bspc Standing Committee toattend the Parliamentary Forum on Northern Dimension, tobe organised by the European Parliament in November 2006support and further develop the Northern Dimension Environ-mental Partnership (ndep) and Northern Dimension Partner-ship in Public Health and Social Wellbeing (ndphs)* Baltic Assembly, Free and Hanse City of Bremen, Parliamentary Assembly ofthe Council of Europe, Denmark, Estonia, European Parliament, Finland,Federal Republic of Germany, Free and Hanse City of Hamburg, Iceland,Latvia, Lithuania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Nordic Council, Norway,Poland, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, City of St. Petersburg,Schleswig-Holstein, Sweden, Åland.saeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNwork to secure concrete goals and financing mechanisms of theNorthern Dimensionaim at filling the four eu-Russia common spaces with concretecontentstrengthen coordination and cooperation between regionalorganisations in Northern Europeconsider establishing a partnership on Transport and Logistics in26 the Framework of Northern DimensionRegarding the European Maritime Policy andthe Baltic Sea Action Plancall on the governments in the Baltic Sea region, the cbss,helcom and the eu towork for an integrated maritime policy in order to create favour-able conditions for a prosperous, socially balanced and ecolog-ically sustainable development of the Baltic Sea regionestablish a balance between the many competing economic bene-fits of the sea on the one hand, and adequate protection of themarine environment on the other, so as to allow an economi-cally and ecologically sustainable use of marine resourcesinclude marine sciences and technologies for marine resources aspriority fields in future research programmesstrive for harmonization of the current variety of political andlegal measures, programmes and action plans at Europeanlevel within the framework of an integrated European mari-time policypursue a European fisheries policy that will take into account theparticularities of the Baltic Sea and implement the principleof sustainable fisheries by active participation in the Baltic SeaRAC (Regional Advisory Committee)strengthen cooperation in the field of maritime safety and secu-rity, especially regarding search and rescue mattersecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51Regarding the proposed North European Gas Pipeline(NEGP), call on the governments in the Baltic Sea Regionand HELCOM toensure that the assessment of the feasibility of the proposednegp is carried out with a high level of transparency and incompliance with all applicable international obligationsRegarding the serious situation of abnormal algaeblooming and lifeless areas of the Baltic Sea seabed callon the governments tostrongly support all kinds of measures and instruments designed 27to further reduce pollutant and nutrient inputs from agricul-ture, municipalities, shipping and industriessupport helcom activities in the full catchment area in order tofight the eutrophication in the Baltic Seatake active part in the planned April 2007 cbss conference ofministers of environment and ministers of agriculture, inorder to optimize their contribution to a less eutrophicatedBaltic Sea and to present the results of this conference at the16th bspc-Conference in Berlin 2007Furthermore the Conference decided toask the Standing Committee to include the Green Paper on Mari-time Policy to the Standing Committee work programme, totake part in the discussion on the Green Paper, to discuss thebspc contribution at the next Extended Standing Committeemeeting and to consider the installation of a working group onMaritime Policy in order to monitor the follow-up of theGreen Paper processinclude the issue of energy on the future agenda of the bspcStanding Committee meetingsask the Standing Committee to start discussions on social andlabour market issues with labour market partnersacknowledge with satisfaction the new proposals by the cbssPresidency about co-operation between the cbss and the bspcnote with pleasure the decisions by the participating parliamentsto contribute to the financing of the secretariat as proposed bythe Standing CommitteesaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNaddress the European Green Paper on the European IntegratedMaritime Policy, labour market issues and social welfare asitems at the next Conference in August 2007 in Berlinwelcome with gratitude the kind invitation of the German Bun-destag to hold the 16th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceon 27–28 August 2007 in Berlin.28ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51VIII. List of ParticipantsSpeakers and ChairpersonsAlho, Arja mp, Finland, Chair of the bspc StandingCommittee29Arciszewska-Mielewczyk, Senator, Parliament of PolandDorotaDimitrov, Petar mp, Bulgaria, Chair of the Bulgarian delegationto the pabsecJónasson, Árni Múli Iceland’s Ministry of FisheriesKhripel, Gennady mp, Council of Federation, Russia, Member ofthe bspc Standing CommitteeKristoffersen, Asmund mp, Norway, Chair of the Working Group onEutrophicationKuberski, Kazimierz Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Policy,PolandMazuronis, Valentinas mp, Lithuania, Member of the bspc StandingCommitteeNyudyurbegov, Asanbuba Vice-Chairman, Committee on Environment,State DumaÓlafsson, Jón Expert at Iceland’s Marine Research InstituteOlsson, Kent mp, Sweden, Member of the bspc StandingCommitteeOrgolaynen, Alexandr mp, State Duma of the Russian Federation,Member of the bspc Standing Committee,Ostojski, Mieczyslaw S Chairman of helcomPersson, Christer H.E., Ambassador, Chair of the cbss csoPesola, Tauno Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland,Member of the cbss csoPétursdóttir, Sólveig President of AlthingiPolanskiy, Dmitry Chief of Division, Department of European Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RussiaRöder, Berndt President of the State Parliament of the Freeand Hanse City of HamburgStavad, Ole mp, Denmark, President of the Nordic CouncilThönnes, Franz mp, State Secretary, Ministry for Labour andSocial Affairs, Member of the bspc StandingCommitteeVaigur, Kristjan Secretary General of bastunWallis, Diana MEP, European ParliamentParliamentary Delegations and OrganisationsParliament of Free and Hanse City of BremenArnold-Cramer, Ursula mpGunthner, Martin mpOppermann, Karl Uwe mpSchmidtmann, Dirk mpsaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNEuropean ParliamentWallis, Diana MEPParliament of DenmarkHansen, Lene mpSimonsen, Irene mpParliament of EstoniaSester, Sven mpTaimla, Andres mpVelliste, Trivimi mpParliament of FinlandAlho, Arja mp, Chair of the bspc Standing Committee30Kaikkonen, Antti mpSasi, Kimmo mpParliament of the Federal Republic of GermanyAdam, Ulrich mpBodewig, Kurt mpHappach-Kasan, Christel mpKlimke, Jürgen mpLiebling, Ingbert mpThönnes, Franz mp, State Secretary, Ministry for Labour andSocial Affairs, Member of the bspc StandingCommitteeParliament of Free and Hanse City of HamburgFrank, Günter mpHarlinghausen, Rolf mpRöder, Berndt PresidentSarrazin, Manuel mpParliament of IcelandGunnarsdóttir, mpAnna KristínHjartardóttir, Drifa mp, Member of the bspc Standing CommitteeKristánsson, Sigurður Kári mp, Standing Committee of ArcticParliamentariansSigfusson, Steingrimur J. mpSveinsdottir, Arnbjorg mpParliament of LatviaEmsis, Indulis mpPetersons, Aigars mpSolovjovs, Igors mpStalidzane, Jevgenija mpZommere, Erika mpParliament of LithuaniaMazuronis, Valentinas mp, Member of the bspc Standing CommitteeSimulik, Valerijus mpParliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernJarchow, Hans-Heinrich mpSchwebs, Birgit mpecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51Skrzepski, Gesine mpNordic CouncilAlho, Arja mp, Finland, Chair of the bspc StandingCommitteeGudmundsdottir, Rannveig mp, IcelandLorentzen, Kristian Pihl mp, Denmark Vice-President of the NordicCouncilOjala, Outi mp, FinlandOlsson, Kent mp, Sweden, Member of the bspc StandingCommitteeRomanus, Gabriel mp, SwedenStavad, Ole mp, Denmark, President of the Nordic Council 31Parliament of NorwayFredriksen, Jan-Henrik mpHaugen, Arne. L mpKristiansen, Ivar mpKristoffersen, Asmund mp, Chair of the Working Group onEutrophicationReikvam, Rolf mpSejm and Senate of the Republic of PolandArciszewska-Mielewczyk, SenatorDorotaKurski, Jacek mpPiekarska, Katarzyna mpWoszczerowicz, Lech DeputyWiechecki, Rafal Deputy, Minister of Maritime Economy.Federal Assembly of the Russian Federationcouncil of federationKhripel, Gennady mp, Member of the bspc Standing CommitteeLyskov, Anatoly mpTkach, Oleg mpVasilev, Sergey mpstate dumaMalchikmin, Valery mpNikitin, Vladimir mpNyudyurbegov, Asanbuba mp, Vice-Chairman, Committee onEnvironmentOrgolaynen, Alexandr mp, Member of the bspc Standing CommitteeParliament of Schleswig-HolsteinHentschel, Kari-Martin mpHoefs, Astrid mpKlug, Ekkehard mpRitzek, Manfred mpSpoorendonk, Anke mpSt. Petersburg Legislative AssemblyYagya, Vatanyar Vice ChairmanParliament of SwedenBohlin, Sinikka mpsaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNEkholm, Berndt mpOberg, Maria mpRomanus, Gabriel mpThorén, Sverker mpParliament of ÅlandPerämaa, Mats mpThörnroos, Veronica mpWiné, Göte mpObservers and Guests32bastun, Baltic Sea Trade Union NetworkVaigur, Kristjan Secretary Generalcbss, Council of the Baltic Sea StatesJankevica, Anitra Senior AdvisorKötschau, Gabriele DirectorPersson, Christer H.E., Ambassador, Chair of the cbss csoCPMR, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions in Europe,Baltic Sea CommissionMälly, Marko Executive SecretaryhelcomOstojski, Mieczyslaw S ChairmanNFS, Nordic Trade UnionsSaxén, Tom General Secretarypabsec, Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic CooperationDimitrov, Petar Chair of the Bulgarian delegationto the pabsecSCPAR, Standing Committee of Parliamentarians in the Artic RegionKristánsson, Sigurður Kári mpSLLF, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, EuropeSchöps, Alfons DirectorSouth Sweden Chamber of Industry and CommerceMüchler, Stephan President and CEOUnion of The Baltic CitiesZaboklicki, Pawel Secretary GeneralWest Nordic CouncilÞórarinsson, Þórður Secretary GeneralBaltic Youth ForumEhlers, AlexandraLüthen, Jens-ChristianSæmundsson, Höskuldur Secretary GeneralecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51Diplomatic corpsBlauveldt, Anna Ambassador, Canadian EmbassyEilers, Jens Councellor, German EmbassyGross, Andreas National Councellor, SwitzerlandJunqi, Yang Councellor, Chinese EmbassyMehmet, Alp Ambassador, British EmbassyNyholm, Nanna U.S., Embassy CopenhagenReimann, Leif Mogens Ambassador, Danish EmbassyRøberg, Vilde Høvik Chargé d’affaires a.i., Norwegian EmbassyStröje-Wilkens, Madeleine Ambassador, Swedish EmbassySundquist, Ingemar Councellor, Swedish EmbassyTatarintsev, Victor I. Ambassador, Russian Embassy33SecretariatsBaltic AssemblyLaizane-Jurkane, Marika Head of SecretariatParliament of Free and Hanse City of BremenKrause, Walter Head of DepartmentEuropean ParliamentArnold, Stewart Policy and Communications AdviserOlsen, Henrik Head of SecretariatParliament of DenmarkVestergaard, Mette CounsellorParliament of EstoniaRõngelep, Ene Secretary to DelegationParliament of FinlandHissa, Jaakko Senior Counsellor of International Affairs,Secretary to DelegationZilliacus, Patrick Counsellor, FinlandParliament of the Federal Republic of GermanyMeier, Silke Secretary to DelegationStieler, Gabriele AssistantParliament of Free and Hanse City of HamburgWagner, Reinhard DirectorParliament of IcelandBernódusson, Helgi Secretary GeneralBrynjólfsson, Tómas International SecretaryGunnarsdóttir, Hildur GróaTheriault, Belinda Head of DepartmentValgarðsson, Lárus International secretaryParliament of LatviaPutnina, Ingrida Secretary of DelegationParliament of LithuaniaJankauskaite, Renata Secretary to DelegationsaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNParliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernBahr, Bodo Vice-DirectorGutzeit, Gerald Head of DivisionNordic CouncilNokken, Frida Secretary General, DenmarkHagemann, Henrik S ecretary General of the Danish delegation tothe Nordic Council, DenmarkNikolajsen, Mads Secretary, Left/Green Party Group, DenmarkRasmussen, Jens Nytoft Senior Adviser, DenmarkSchwarz, Jesper T. Senior Adviser, DenmarkSørensen, Torkil Senior Adviser, DenmarkWidberg, Jan Senior Adviser, Denmark34Parliament of NorwayGröthe, Stian Political AdvisorOftedal, Eline AdvisorSejm and Senate of the Republic of PolandJanuszewski, Andrzej Secretary to DelegationRussian Federationcouncil of federationDakhova, Nadezda Secretarystate dumaGuskova, Yulia SecretaryParliament of Schleswig-HolsteinSchöning, Jürgen DirectorSchmidt-Holländer, Jutta Head of DivisionSt. Petersburg Legislative AssemblyTerekhovskiy, Sergey Chief of Foreign Affairs DepartmentParliament of SwedenHjelm, Eva International SecretarySmekal, Eva Head of DivisionStenarv, Gunnar Political Secretary, Social democratic groupParliament of ÅlandHolm-Johansson, Marine Senior AdvisorBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceLindroos, Päivikki Head of SecretariatHayes, Anja RapporteurGadebusch, Camilla SecretaryTranslators’ and Interpreters’ GroupFleischhacker, Karin English/Russian/German/SwedishJohnson, Catherine English/Russian/GermanLarsen, Stein English/Russian/German/ScandinavianRepin, Aleksei English/Russian/German/ScandinavianSchenck, Linda English/Russian/German/SwedishZoëga, Anne English/Russian/German/ScandinavianecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51MinistriesIcelandSigmundsson, Kornelíus Ambassador, Iceland’s Ministry forForeign AffairsPolandGrzyb, Janusz Deputy Director, Dept. of MigrationKuberski, Kazimierz Undersecretary of StateRussiaKutaeva, Natalya Expert, Ministry of Transport35Accompanying personsMuus, KirstenOlsson, IngerSmekal, HeinzThönnes, RitasaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNIX. ProgrammeMonday, 4 September 2006From 08.00 Registration09.00–09.30 Opening of the ConferenceChair: Arja Alho 37Address by Ms Sólveig Pétursdóttir, President of AlthingiCultural programmeGreeting by Mr Petar Dimitrov, Chair of the Bulgariandelegation to the pabsec (Parliamentary Assembly of theBlack Sea Economic Co-operation)09.30–12.00 first sessionCo-operation in the Baltic Sea RegionChair: Mr Gennady KhripelPresentation on behalf of the cbssH.E. Christer Persson, Ambassador, Chair of the cbss csoReport from the bspc Standing CommitteeMs Arja Alho, mp, Finland, Chair of the bspcHow do we get parliamentary influence?Mr Ole Stavad, President, Nordic Council, mp, Denmark11.00–12.00 Plenary discussionChair: Kent Olsson13.30–16.30 second sessionOceans and SeasChair: Mr Valentinas MazuronisEuropean Maritime Policy and Baltic Sea Marine StrategyMr Berndt Röder, President of the State Parliament of theFree and Hanse City of Hamburghelcom Baltic Sea Action PlanNorthern Dimension and the Oceans and the SeasMr Mieczyslaw S Ostojski, Chairman of helcomGreenhouse gases and marine ecosystemsMr Jón Ólafsson, Expert at Iceland’s Marine ResearchInstitutesaeS&snaecOehtdnanoisnemiDnrehtroNEcological problems of the Baltic SeaMr. Asanbuba Nyudyurbegov, mp, Vice-Chairman,Committee on Environment, State DumaAlgal Blooming–a Baltic Sea Distress SignalMidterm Report from the Working Group on Eutrophicationof the Baltic SeaMr Asmund Kristoffersen, mp, Norway, Chair of the WorkingGroup on EutrophicationIcelandic Fisheries Management SystemMr Árni Múli Jónasson, Iceland’s Ministry of Fisheries15.30–16.30 Plenary DiscussionChair: Ms Dorota Arciszewaska-Mielewczyk17.00–19.00 Extended Standing CommitteeTuesday, 5 September 200608.00–08.30 Extended Standing Committee (if needed)08.45–11.00 third sessionNorthern Dimension PolicyChair: Mr Franz ThönnesNorthern Dimension–enhancing fruitful co-operationMr Tauno Pesola, Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Finland, Member of the cbss csoEuropean Parliament and the Northern DimensionMs Diana Wallis, MEPRussia as a partner in Northern DimensionMr Dmitry Polanskiy, Chief of Division, Department ofEuropean Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RussiaSocial Dimension and Labour Market issues ofthe Northern DimensionMr Kristjan Vaigur, Secretary General of bastunLabour market issues and the Northern DimensionMr Kazimierz Kuberski, Vice-Minister of Labour andSocial Policy09.45–10.30 Plenary discussionChair: Mr Alexandr Orgolaynen10.30–11.00 Adoption of the Final Document and Closing ofthe ConferenceChair: MrAlexandr Orgolaynen11.15 Press ConferenceecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht51