3 BSPC Resolution

Conference ResolutionActing on the mandate for Parliamentary Conferences on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area,Members of the Parliaments of Bremen, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, the FederalRepublic of Germany, Finland, Greenland, Hamburg, Iceland, Karelia, Latvia, Lithuania,Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation, Schleswig-Holstein,Sweden, Aland and of the Nordic Council and the Baltic Assembly1. met in Warsaw on 5-6 May,1994, to continue and develop the existing co-operation between representatives institutions ofthe Baltic sea Area and to discuss major regional issues.The Participants of the Conferencenoting- the positive political developments in the new and restored democracies in the Baltic SeaArea contributing to stability and security in the region,- a number of new and important initiatives taken over the past two years which prove astrong desire to establish a genuine democratic community around the Baltic Sea,- the assistance provided by the G-24 to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Russiathrough bilateral channels and through international financial institutions,taking into account- the efforts taken by the Council of the Baltic Sea States seeking to support progresstowards democracy, the implementation of particular projects regarding various priority issuesof the Baltic Sea Area,- need for co-operation between the parliaments and the governments concerned todevelop a closer and a more effective co-operation within the Baltic Region, and at differentlevels and on various issues,- the importance of a stepped-up co-operation with and among the sub-regions around theBaltic Sea not only as a basis for growing regional identity, but also for developing of localdemocracy and self-government,- a permanent and urgent need for close co-operation in resolving environmental policyissues,have agreed to- accord the highest priority to programs in the field of environmental policy, especiallyincluding environmental legislation based on principles of sustainable development,- support the idea of exchanging the experience and achievements in developing andrestoring specific forms of self-governments and encouraging democracy on basic andelementary levels,- fight chauvinism, racism, and xenophobia on all political levels,- accord underlined importance to programs in the areas of regional, sub-regional, andtransborder co-operation, including development of local democracy at basic level, economy.trade and transport. infrastructure, culture and education,- acknowledge the twin' priority of eco-conversion operating both to meet appeals for fundsand stimulate economic growth,- continue to hold Parliamentary Conferences in the Baltic Sea Area as mandates by theParliamentary Conferences on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area,1 Representatives of the Faeroe Islands and Keralia were not present at Warsaw Conference on May 5-6, 1994.- extend the political co-operation by inviting the Council of the Baltic Sea States, formedby the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Sea Area,- extend the political co-operation by inviting the Council of the Baltic Sea States, formedby the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Sea Area, to report to the Conference,call on the Governments or the participating countries to- show political willingness in supporting and stimulating regional, sub-regional andtransborder co-operation within the Baltic Sea Area,- encourage and support co-operation on the local level between cities and the NGO’s,- continue to work towards a stable and secure political, social, legal, economic, andecological situation, being a basis for an effective regional co-operation.- continue movement towards democratic systems at all levels with a special regard to theinstitutions of local self-government,- promote exchange programs concerning culture, education, and scientific research inorder to encourage closer co-operation directly between countries and institutions,- promote programs directed to establish effective and compatible system ofenvironmental laws as' a measure to regenerate and prevent the pollution of the Baltic Sea andits adjacent area,- accelerate the ratification of the 1992 Helsinki Convention on the Protection of theMarine Environment in the Baltic Sea Area,- to support the further work of the Helsinki Committee on Chemical Weapons in the BalticSea,- take effective measures to reduce the scale of danger of nuclear power plant damage,and decide to- promote establishment of a European Ecological Fund in order to save and protect theBaltic Sea,- set up a parliamentary working group charged to draft a regional action and developmentprogram for the Baltic Sea Area and make concrete proposals how the ParliamentaryConference could be represented in the Committee of Region of EU and to demand of theCBSS to draft a corresponding regional action program,- propose that the CBSS and the parliamentary conferences meet in 1995 for a jointsession to discuss together concrete development plans for the Baltic Sea Area,- to set up a small interparliamentary working group that could function as a referencegroup for the parliamentary co-operation. The working group should consist of onerepresentative from the Nordic countries, one from Baltic states outsit, one from Germany, onefrom Russia, and one from Poland. The secretariat of the Nordic Council could supply thesecretariat of the working group with facilities,- urge the CBSS to draw up a joint proposal and a strategy to speed the establishment ofa "code of conduct" for institutions dealing with the environmental sector,- accept with gratitude the invitation of the Nordic Council with the support of the DanishParliament to a joint conference of the Fourth Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in theBaltic Sea Area and the Council of the Baltic Sea States to be held in Denmark, in September1995.