2 BSPC Resolution

Conference ResolutionConference Resolution adopted by the Second Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation inthe Baltic Sea Area, on 24 April 1992.Members of the Parliaments of Denmark, Estonia, the Faeroe Islands, the Federal Republicof 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 Assemblynoting- the new era of European relations in which the confrontation and division of the pastare being replaced by partnership and co-operation,- the need to strengthen ties between countries and regions in Northern Europe ingeneral and around the Baltic Sea in particular,- the many initiatives to promote co-operation in the Baltic Sea region and particularlythe establishment of a Council of the Baltic Sea States by the Foreign Ministers,- the need for co-operation among parliamentarians in order to promote new fields of co-operation and secure the strongest possible popular base and support for such co-operation,taking into account- the need for support in all forms to the newly emerging and re-established democraciesin the Baltic Sea region for the strengthening of freedom, democracy and representiveinstitutions and for guaranteeing their security and stability and to ease theirrestructuring into market economies with a social dimension,- the need for co-operation between the parliaments concerned to solve the seriousenvironmental problems in the Baltic Sea area,- the need for international co-operation at a11levels to achieve sustainabledevelopment and a lasting peace in the area,have agreed to- continue arranging Parliamentary Conferences in the Baltic Sea area as a basis forfuture parliamentary co-operation in the region,- present a Mandate for the Parliamentary Conference in the Baltic Sea area,- accord highest priority to co-operation programmes in the areas of environment,including improved nuclear safety, economy and trade, scientific research and techno-logy, energy, infrastructure, culture, education, and the development of democraticinstitutions.call on the Governments of the participating countries to- recognize the Parliamentary Conference in the Baltic Sea area as a parliamentarybase for co-operation in the region and to include all participating states in the Councilof the Baltic Sea States,- take into account recommendations and proposals put forward by the ParliamentaryConference in the Baltic Sea area,- report to the Parliamentary Conference in the Baltic Sea area on the implementation ofprogrammes of co-operation in the region and particularly on the activities of theCouncil of the Baltic Sea States,- further promote programmes directed to improve the quality of life and stabledemocratic development in the emerging democracies in the region,- ensure that resources needed to achieve concrete results win be provided andincluded in the programmes decided upon,- move towards swift solutions of remaining problems between countries in the regionand appeal to other Governments to contribute to such solutions,and decide toaccept with gratitude the invitation of the Polish Parliament to the Third ParliamentaryConference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea area, to be held in May 1993.Appendix 1Mandate for Parliamentary Conferences on Co-operation in the Baltic SeaAreaThe representatives of Parliaments and autonomous territories and regional parliamentarybodies in the Baltic Sea area, who convened for the Second Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area, on 22-24 April 1992 in Oslo, decided to hold future suchParliamentary Conferences on an annual basis.1. The chief purpose of the Conferences will be to serve as initiator and co-ordinating organfor co-operation and as a forum for discussion and promoting ideas for the Parliamentsand regional parliamentary bodies in the Baltic Sea area.2. The Conferences will address their proposals and demands to the Governments andParliaments in the Baltic Sea region, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Baltic Council andto the Council of the Baltic Sea States.3. Conferences of two days' duration will be held annually on the invitation of one of theparticipating countries or autonomous territories or of a regional parliamentary body.4. Decisions of the Conferences and delegated working bodies will be taken by consensus.5. Representatives of the following Parliaments and regional parliamentary bodies shall beinvited to the Conferences:Bremen, Denmark, Estonia, the Faeroe Islands, the Federal Republic 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 Assembly.Representatives of other regional and international organizations, as well as observersand special guests, may also be invited to the Conferences.6. The Parliament of the host country or organization will be chiefly responsible for theConference agenda and for Conference preparations, in consultation with participatingParliaments.The Second Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Arearecommends the appointment of an antiparliamentary working-group consisting of onerepresentative each for the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, Germany, Poland and theRussian Federation to assist the host-designate in preparing the next Conference.7. Secretariat and co-ordinating functions for the following Parliamentary Conferences will beperformed by the host country-designate with the assistance of the Nordic Council (onrequest).8. The host country carries the costs of holding the Conference, whereas transportation,accommodations, etc., in conjunction with Conference attendance are to be paid by theparticipating Parliaments.9. The host country shall aim at providing simultaneous interpretation between the followinglanguages: Finnish, Scandinavian, Russian, Polish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Germanand English.Planning committees and working-groups will conduct their business in English.Appendix 2Declaration on CommunicationsThe Second Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area, meeting in Oslo on22-24 April 1992, has agreed on the following Declaration on Communications:Noting- the need to develop and harmonize international transport in the Baltic Sea region,- the need to develop new forms of co-operation in the fields of telecommunication andmass media,- the joint resolution decided upon by the Ministers of Transport at the Baltic SeaConference in Szczecin, on 17-18 March 1992,the Second Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area recommend theMinisters concerned to- present co-operation programmes for the development of the infrastructure in the regionand in doing so emphasizea) a long-term plan for the future development of integrated transport systems inthe region by land, sea and air,b) the need for all transport systems to meet high standards with regard toecological and environmental protection and give priority to the least pollutingmodes of transportation,c) the need for transport systems to meet high standards with regard to safety,d) the need for international transport systems to meet international standards onsigns and signals,- establish a list of priorities within the transport and infrastructure sector,- ensure that resources needed to achieve concrete results will be provided on a. long-term basis,- present co-operation programmes for the development of telecommunications in theregion and in doing so emphasizea) the need for technical improvement of existing telecommunication systems,b) the need for expansion of existing telecommunication systems,- present co-operation programmes for the development of mass media co-operation andin doing so emphasizea) improved and expanded possibilities of programme exchange and production,b) the need for mid-career training programmes for journalists from formercommunist countries,c) the need for establishing a solid legal base for freedom of the press,and ask the Ministers concerned to- report to the Parliamentary Conference on Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Area onprogress made with regard to the implementation of co-operation programmes in thefield of communications and mass media.