19 BSPC Conference Report

Mariehamn, Åland Islands, 29–31 August 2010)CPSB(ecnerefnoCyratnemailraPaeScitlaBht91■nonoitarepooCytiruceSdnatnemnorivnE2 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference(BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forumfor political dialogue between parliamentar-ians from the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC gathersparliamentarians from 11 national parliaments,11 regional parliaments and 5 parliamentaryorganizations around the Baltic Sea. The BSPCthus constitutes a unique parliamentary bridgebetween all the EU- and non-EU countries ofthe Baltic Sea Region. BSPC aims at raisingawareness and opinion on issues of currentpolitical interest and relevance for the BalticSea Region. It promotes and drives variousinitiatives and efforts to support a sustain-Cooperation on Environment and Securityable environmental, social and economic19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)development of the Baltic Sea Region. ItUS 2010:406strives at enhancing the visibility of the Baltic© Nordic Council, Copenhagen 2010 Sea Region and its issues in a wider EuropeanPrint: Kailow Express ApScontext. The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer-Text: Päivikki Lindroosence is the annual general assembly in theDesign: Kjell Olsson/ScanadBaltic Sea Region for broad political debate onPhotos: Johannes Jansson, NMR,Baltic Sea issues. The Conference resolutionsPublication Unitare political tools which enables the BSPC toCopies: 300launch and sustain political initiatives, and toPrinted on environmentally-friendly paperapproach the governments and regional or-Printed in Denmark ganizations on issues of common interest. TheBSPC has a number of working bodies at itsNORDISKMIØMÆRKNINGdisposal, which serve as resources for drivingand implementing BSPC priorities and objec-541 Tryksag006 tives. A Standing Committee and an EnlargedStanding Committee are responsible for thefollow-up of BSPC resolutions, for identifyingBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference and addressing issues within the BSPC fieldJan Widberg of responsibility, and for preparing the annualHead of BSPC Secretariat Conferences. The BSPC Working Groups areC/o Nordic Council political vehicles with the overall objectiveVed Stranden 18 of elaborating joint political positions andDK-1061 Copenhagen K recommendations on issues of common inter-Denmark est in the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC external+45 24 699446 interfaces include parliamentary, govern-jw@norden.org mental, sub-regional and other organizationsin the Baltic Sea Region and the Northernwww.bspc.net Dimension area.Cooperation on Environment and Security 3ForewordClose to 200 parliamentarians, governmentrepresentatives and esteemed experts fromthe Baltic Sea Region and beyond took partin the 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer-ence, held in Mariehamn, Åland Islands on29–31 August 2010. The Conference con-tinued to foster the parliamentary bonds inthe Region while, at the same time, servingas a forum for broad and open-ended dia-logue and interaction.My thanks go to our host, the Parliamentof the Åland Islands, to the keynote speak-ers and parliamentarians, and to our ob-servers and guests, all of whom contributed Ms Christina Gestrin,to a successful outcome of the 19th BSPC. MP, Finland,I have had the privilege of chairing the Chairman of the BSPCBSPC Standing Committee, as well as theEnlarged Standing Committee, since the17th BSPC in Visby in 2008. I would liketo extend my thanks to the Vice Chairman of the BSPC, Ms ValentinaPivnenko, to the members of the Standing Committee and EnlargedStanding Committee, and to the chairmen and members of the BSPCWorking Groups for all their efforts in updating BSPC policies andstructures and preparing for the 19th BSPC. I would also like to thankour Secretary General Jan Widberg for all his hard work.The Baltic Sea Region is a good place to live in. But, this being said,we should not neglect the risks we face in our Region and its vicin-ity. One of the main themes of the Conference was that of peace andsecurity. The ultimate goal of international cooperation, including ourregional efforts for a healthier and prosperous Baltic Sea Region, is topromote welfare and security for the citizens.Have we been successful? The acid test for me is not whether eachand every recommendation has been implemented in the short run,but rather that we continue to be a stakeholder that is listened to andrespected. If parliamentarians are respected as opinion-makers, initia-tors and watchdogs, as was stated during the conference, it will be aconfirmation that we are doing the right things and doing them right.Conferences, seminars, programmes and reports are importantcomponents in developing the Baltic Sea Region. But at the end ofthe day, the value and success of an organisation will be judged notby its internal coherence, but by its capacity to improve the welfare –in a broad sense – of the citizens of the Region. Continued dialoguebetween citizens, experts and decision-makers is of vital importancefor our joint capacity to meet the challenges of our Region.Christina Gestrin4 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceContentsForeword....................................................................................3Opening.of.the.Conference........................................................7First.Session:.Cooperation.in.the.Baltic.Sea.Region..................8Second.Session:.Impact.of.Climate.Change..on.the.Biodiversity.in.the.Baltic.Sea.Region.............................21Third.Session:.The.Baltic.Sea.Region.as..an.Area.of.Peace.and.Security...................................................27Closing.of.the.Conference.........................................................37Conference.Resolution...............................................................38Programme................................................................................48Participants...............................................................................53Cooperation on Environment and Security 5Sunday 29 AugustThe 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference was held in Marie-hamn, Åland Islands, on 29–31 August 2010. On the first day of theconference, participants were offered an excursion to ÅCA, a biogasand dairy plant. They also visited the ruins of the Fortress of Bomar-sund and the Castle of Kastelholm. After the excursions, the BSPCStanding Committee held a meeting in which Christina Gestrin wasre-appointed as Chairman of the BSPC until the 20th BSPC, andValentina Pivnenko re-appointed as Vice Chairman of the BSPC forthe same period. The day was concluded with a dinner hosted byChristina Gestrin and the Finnish Parliament.Cooperation on Environment and Security 7Monday 30 AugustOpening ofThe ConferenceMr.Roger.Nordlund,.Speaker.of.the.Åland.Parliament.opened the Conference by wishingall participants welcome to the autonomousand demilitarized archipelago of Åland. MrNordlund reminded participants that this wasthe second time the BSPC had been arrangedin Mariehamn. He underlined that Åland and Mr Roger Nordlundits Parliament, Ålands Lagting, has for decadesbeen committed to extensive and broad co-operation for stability and security. The reasonis simple: co-operation is needed in order tosafeguard peace, security and the environment.According to Mr Nordlund, the sea is of utmostimportance as it never divides – it links.Mr.Harry.Jansson,.MP,.Åland, recalled hisfirst memories of the Baltic Sea environmentfrom the 1960s, when he was one of the fore-runners in Åland in collecting money to savethe white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla).This experience reinforced the idea that goals Mr Harry Janssoncan be achieved by co-operation. He sharedMr Nordlund’s views about improving the stateof the flora and fauna in the region. Living inan autonomous area with demilitarized andneutral status right in the middle of the BalticSea does pose some challenges in terms ofeconomy, energy, communication and employ-ment, Mr Jansson stated. He underlined theneed to strengthen parliamentary work andcooperation, and felt that the BSPC can andshould play a major role in relations to the EUas well as to Russia.8 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceFirst Session:Cooperation in the Baltic Sea RegionMs.Christina.Gestrin,.MP,.Finland,.Chairman.of.the.BSPC, wasdelighted to see so many participants at the conference. It was yetanother testimony of broad engagement that gives strength to thepolitical standpoints taken by the BSPC.Ms Gestrin reported that a lot is being done to help the Baltic Searecover and to promote welfare in the region. The environmentalproblems in the region are, however, still major and ongoing. MsGestrin reminded participants that the oil disaster in the Gulf ofMexico was a grim threat that was not an unrealistic scenario for theBaltic Sea. It is estimated that oil transports by sea in the region willincrease by over 70% by 2015.Ms Gestrin observed that there were great inequalities and imbal-ances in the Baltic Sea Region, resulting in social and economicanomalies. Parliamentarians have a task and a mandate from theirconstituencies to carry out initiatives and measures to protect theBaltic Sea environment and to promote prosperity.Ms Gestrin gave a review of the contacts with CBSS and otherorganisations in the region. She felt that cooperation with CBSS waspragmatic and constructive. BSPC attended the CBSS 8th Summit, re-minding the governments that they must shoulder their responsibilityto strengthen coordination between various initiatives and to providethese with economic and other resources for implementation. BSPChas coordinated its main priorities with those of the CBSS. The work-ing groups of the two organisations have regular contact.Contacts with other organisations and players in the region havebeen strengthened. Ms Gestrin stressed that BSPC, from the verybeginning, declared its strong support for HELCOM ́s Baltic Sea Ac-tion Plan. Parliamentarians are keenly awaiting national implementa-tion plans in 2011 from those countries that were not able to presentthem in 2010.Ms Gestrin mentioned the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region asa welcome contribution, and one that should be synchronised withother initiatives and actions, especially with the Northern Dimension,in order to ensure full and equal participation by all countries in theBaltic Sea region.Ms Gestrin reported on the new patterns for meetings in the Stand-ing Committee as well as in the Enlarged Standing Committee, whichare part of the internal development of the BSPC organisation. TheJanuary meeting of the Enlarged Standing Committee has become astrategic decision-making occasion in which all BSPC member parlia-ments and parliamentary organisations take part.Ms Gestrin informed participants that a mechanism has been ap-plied from 2007 about the financing of the running costs of the BSPCSecretariat. During 2009–2010 it had grown into an effective model,and all member parliaments had paid – or announced their intentionto pay – their contribution for 2010. She then referred to the newCooperation on Environment and Security 9BSPC homepage (www.bspc.net) and observed that it functions wellas a platform for dissemination of information and documentation.Ms Gestrin stated that BSPC had matured into a stable structure,with permanent bodies and recurrent working groups, and withestablished external cooperation and information channels. Shecontinued by raising the issue of whether it was now time to renamethe organisation, for example, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Councilrather than Conference. It would be a more accurate title, and wouldalso give parity with CBSS.In conclusion, Ms Gestrin stated that many of the challenges in theBaltic Sea Region were complex and had different consequences andrepercussions for different countries or players. It was obvious thatthe parliamentary voice had been heard, not least when BSPC col-laborates with other players in the region. BSPC could contribute to10 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencea transparent, democratic and constructive political process, and topractical solutions to the challenges facing the Baltic Sea Region.Mr.Erik.Lahnstein,.State.Secretary.of.Norway,.representing.the.Norwegian.CBSS.presidency.in.2010–2011, agreed with MsGestrin that the relationship between the two organisations, CBSSand BSPC, was pragmatic and worked well. He urged parliamentar-ians to continue dialogue and acknowledged that parliamentary sup-port was imperative for successful intergovernmental cooperation.Mr Lahnstein started his report by referring to the five priority areasduring the Lithuanian presidency that preceded the Norwegian: envi-ronment, economic development, energy, education and culture, civilsecurity and the human dimension. The Norwegian presidency hasoutlined three priorities: maritime policy, fight against trafficking in hu-man beings, and the further organisational development of the CBSS.Cooperation on Environment and Security 11On the subject of the maritime sector, Mr Lahnstein mentioned thatthe Norwegian presidency will make use of the CBSS Expert Groupon Maritime Policy to meet the challenges in the region. Shippingand related maritime activities are vital for the economic develop-ment of the region, but also entail negative environmental effectssuch as air emissions, discharge of oil and other waste and introduc-tion of alien species through ballast water. The use and distribu-tion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Baltic Sea shipping will bea specific priority area for maritime policy during the Norwegianpresidency, which will also strive to create a maritime cluster in theregion.Mr Lahnstein informed participants that Norway had decided tofocus on combating all forms of trafficking in human beings. He un-derlined the need for all Baltic Sea countries to take stronger actionagainst trafficking, based on the solid foundation provided by theCouncil of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Hu-man Beings. He urged those countries that had not already done soto ratify the Convention.Mr Lahnstein emphasised that all Member States and parliamentsin the Baltic Sea Region had joint responsibility for curbing organ-ised crime, including trafficking. Trafficking is a very complex issue,which is why it is addressed by three expert bodies in the frame-work of the CBSS: Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings,the Expert Group for Cooperation on Children at Risk (EGCC), andthe Task Force on Organised Crime.Mr Lahnstein spoke about further organisational development ofthe CBSS. Mr Jan Lundin, incoming Director General of the CBSSSecretariat (from 1 September 2010), was introduced. Greater trans-parency and efficiency in the organisation will be sought, takinginto account work done in the framework of the EU Strategy for theBaltic Sea Region and the partnerships established under the North-ern Dimension.Mr Lahnstein closed his report by underlining that Norway andthe CBSS valued the BSPC highly, and appreciated the parliamentarysupport and overview.Ms.Diana.Wallis,.Vice-President,.European.Parliament, startedby reflecting over the role of the European Parliament and its ac-tive participation in the Baltic Sea Region policy in recent years. Shementioned that the mandate has been renewed for Baltic Intergroup,which is one of the biggest and best- attended of the parliamentaryintergroups in the European Parliament.The launching of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is aresult of a parliamentary initiative, which shows what can be donewhen parliamentarians work together with joint focus and determi-nation.Ms Wallis agreed with Ms Gestrin that the parliamentary dimen-sion was an important component of co-operation in the Baltic SeaRegion. At the same time, it was a tool for exerting political pressure,promoting dialogue, and supporting the parliamentarians’ role aswatchdogs.12 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMs.Anne.Christine.Brusendorff,.Executive.Secretary,.HELCOM, presented the activitiesof HELCOM, her main focus being on HEL-COM Initial Holistic Assessment of the Eco-system Health of the Baltic Sea 2003–2007. MsBrusendorff explained that it was the first-everholistic overview, and included status, pres-sures, economic analysis and a baseline forassessing the effectiveness of implementationof the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. It waslaunched as a supporting document at the Ms Christina GestrinMinisterial Meeting in Moscow in May 2010.The report evaluates the measures taken dur-ing 2003–2007.Talking about the Baltic Sea ecosystem, MsBrusendorff referred to a recent study com-missioned by the Swedish Government show-ing that the economic benefits of freeing theBaltic Sea from eutrophication are up to EUR5 billion per year. This figure only concernsthe effects of eutrophication and so may be anunderestimate. She also warned participantsthat the cost will be even higher if no action istaken. Quick action is a cost-effective way of Mr Erik Lahnsteindealing with the problems of the Baltic Sea.Ms Brusendorff described the role of HEL-COM as a bridge between science and policy-making. This required access to accurate,harmonised and comparable data. One of thepriorities of the Swedish chairmanship of HEL-COM is to further strengthen the scientific roleand the status of HELCOM as a focal point inthe region.Ms Brusendorff said there had been no obvi-ous reduction of nitrogen and phosphorusloads between 1995 and 2006. The Baltic SeaAction Plan targets had not been permanently Ms Anne Christinereached for either nutrient and there were dif- Brusendorffferences between countries in terms of per-formance. Consequently, further work will beneeded, especially if climate change increasesthe loads. Ms Brusendorff illustrated the statusof the pollution in the Baltic Sea by declaringthat all open water was affected by eutrophica-tion except Bothnian Bay. Only 11 out of 172coastal areas are unaffected by eutrophication.In the declaration from the HELCOM Min-isterial Meeting in Moscow in May, attentionwas paid to the effects of fishing practices onbiodiversity. According to Ms Brusendorff, cer- Ms Diana WallisCooperation on Environment and Security 13tain fishing techniques should be banned. One positive developmenthas been a new arena, a Fisheries and Environment Forum, that hasbrought these sectors together in dialogue. Ms Brusendorff also saidthat the establishment of a joint Agricultural/Environmental PolicyForum has been fruitful in encouraging dialogue.On a positive note, Ms Brusendorff mentioned that the numberof marine protected areas had increased and that the Baltic Sea hadreached the target for the regional network of marine protected ar-eas set by the United Nations Convention of Biodiversity.In conclusion, Ms Brusendorff said she was confident that theadopted ministerial declaration gave HELCOM a strong political basisfor future work, serving also as a base for the national implementa-tion programmes. She was counting on continued BSPC support andwelcomed the role of parliamentarians as watchdogs.Mr.Jaakko.Henttonen,.Director.ND.EBRD, talked about theNorthern Dimension Environmental Partnership, pointing out thatthere were several common points regarding the Northern Dimen-sion Environmental Partnership and the EU Strategy for the BalticSea Region. NDEP cooperates closely with HELCOM and other re-gional organisations to strengthen coordination of activities.Mr Henttonen noted that cooperation with the Russian Federa-tion and Belarus had both been rewarding. Intensive cooperationwith Russia, following the adoption of the HELCOM National ActionProgrammes, has been developed. He reported on projects that hadbeen successfully completed. Great results have been achieved forinstance in St Petersburg. Since the Southwest Wastewater TreatmentPlant came into operation in 2005, the city’s capacity for wastewatertreatment has increased to 85%.Mr Henttonen was pleased to inform participants that Belaruswas now involved in the activities of the NDEP. Belarus and Rus-sia still need more efficient municipal wastewater treatment, withKaliningrad being one of the regions in Russia requiring support. MrHenttonen reported that an agreement had been made between theKaliningrad authorities and international partners to continue invest-ments in line with internationally accepted practices. The aim was tocomplete the wastewater plant by 2012.He also described many benefits that have been achieved besidesthe main target. The projects prevented further deterioration of mu-nicipal systems and services, promoted better municipal managementof wastewater, and projected management skills. Other side benefitsincluded transfer of modern project and investment planning, andfinancing and management competencies, together with technologytransfer. Although processes are normally long-term, they can yieldresults in the short term, too. Where there is the will, things can bedone, Mr Henttonen stated.Mr Henttonen went on to explain the funding system of the North-ern Dimension Environmental Partnership. It is recognised as an ef-fective model for international cooperation, based on a co-financingstructure composed of loans, grants and local funds. EBRD, NIB,NEFCO and EIB provide the necessary loans for financial packages14 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceand preparation of project concepts for NDEP. The NDEP SteeringGroup will shortly be seeking new funding for intensive projectdevelopment.Mr.Jean-Marc.Venineaux,.DG.Regio,.EU.Commission, spokeabout the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, its overall develop-ment, evaluation, projects and expectations. The Strategy and ActionProgramme was adopted by the European Council in October 2009.The Strategy has four important partners: Iceland, Norway, Belarusand Russia. Contacts with these countries are useful, positive andencouraging, and it is expected that cooperation will be developedin many domains of the Strategy.The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is the first macro-re-gional strategy in the EU. It was agreed on the basis of the princi-ples of no new EU institutions, no new EU funding and no new EUlegislation. The Strategy should be seen as a means of strengtheningexisting legislation and institutions, and making the most of existingfunding.Mr Venineaux reported that the main task during the first ninemonths of the implementation phase was to establish the neces-sary structures to organise the Priority Areas and to ensure that theFlagship Projects were launched. The Strategy has successfully usedexisting structures in a pragmatic and flexible way.According to Mr Venineaux, the Strategy was based on a flexibleand lean governance structure. National Contact Points have been setup by all eight participating Member States in the region to assist theimplementation of the Strategy at national level. Through its Envi-ronmental Priority Areas, the Strategy aims at providing a supportiveframework for HELCOM activities, as well as for follow-up activitiesof the Baltic Sea Action Summit.Because of its strong maritime component, the Strategy is an im-portant part of the process towards regional implementation of theIntegrated Maritime Policy for the European Union in the Baltic SeaRegion. It also serves as a platform for establishing a maritime com-munity in the region.Mr Venineaux reminded participants that the Strategy was not afunding instrument. Funding is to be raised from existing sources. Asystematic approach to the alignment of policies should also be putin place to ensure that sectoral policies take due consideration to thespecific characteristics of the Baltic Sea Region. In order to maintainhigh-level political pressure and strong political commitment, plat-forms should be established for the region’ leaders to engage in po-litical dialogue on the implementation and the future of the Strategy,Mr Venineaux concluded.Mr.Mathias.Bergman,.Secretary.General.of.the.Baltic.Sea.Ac-tion.Group, gave a presentation of the Baltic Sea Action Group andits activities. The Group is a private foundation working in four areasclosely related to the HELCOM Action Plan.The Baltic Sea Action Group addresses all problems, and observesthat eutrophication is the major threat for the Baltic Sea. Anotherthreat is the heavy maritime traffic. More than 2,000 ships are sailingCooperation on Environment and Security 15in the Baltic Sea at any given moment. Themain routes go through extremely sensitivebird and marine mammal habitats.Mr Bergman explained that the Summit wasan innovative initiative with the task of gather-ing practical and binding commitments fromprivate and public stakeholders. He describedthe outcome of the first Baltic Sea Action Sum-mit, held in February 2010 in Helsinki, as asuccess. It obtained 147 commitments fromthe participating stakeholders, each contain- Mr Jaakko Henttonening a concrete measure for the Baltic Sea. Hementioned, for instance, that the projects aris-ing from the commitment of the Parliamentof Åland Islands, as well as that of BSPC, arerunning well. New commitments are receivedall the time, and the Action Group will keep upthe momentum to implement them.Ms.Gestrin felt that, in order to remedy eu-trophication, immediate measures were neededin the agriculture, industry and transport sec-tors. Ultimately though, it is our lifestyle that isthe basic cause of pressure on the ecosystems. Mr Jean-MarcMr.Michel.Orda,.MP,.Belarus expressed Venineauxhis gratitude for being invited to the Confer-ence as a guest, and hoped that Belarus soonwill be granted observer status in the BSPC.Mr Orda informed participants that, in March2010, a standing committee was establishedin the Parliament of Belarus with the task ofmaintaining contacts with BSPC. This was astrong expression of the interest and the com-mitment to work more closely in the BalticSea Region. Belarus enjoys observer status inCBSS and is involved in Baltic energy coopera-tion. Belarus wishes to develop its involvement Mr Mathias Bergmanin the energy co-operation in the Baltic SeaRegion. Northern Dimension, social welfareand security in the region are other highlyesteemed issues in Belarus. Mr Orda also men-tioned human rights and combating organisedcrime as potential areas of cooperation. Healso underlined that cooperation in the cus-toms area is important for Belarus.Approximately 50% of Belarus lies in theBaltic Sea catchment area. Belarus has goodexperience of contributing to a range of pro-grammes. Belarus must reduce greenhouse gasemissions in order to proceed environmentally Mr Mikhail Orda16 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencealong the lines of the Kyoto Protocol mecha-nism. Mr Orda appreciated the opportunity forBelarus to participate in the Northern Dimen-sion partnerships for environment, publichealth and social well-being, and for transportand logistics.Ms.Sinikka.Bohlin,.MP,.Sweden, referred tothe fact that almost 20 years had passed sincethe first BSPC in Helsinki 1991. She noted thatparliamentarians have tools for promotingthe HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the Ms Sinikka BohlinEU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Theseshould be discussed in the national parlia-ments and at the next Conference too. Sheagreed with those who argue that the EU Strat-egy for the Baltic Sea Region should be linkedsystematically to the Northern Dimension, andshe advocated a clear parliamentary perspec-tive in the Northern Dimension.She also talked about the role of civil soci-ety in the region, and emphasised the utmostimportance of NGOs and citizens fully sup-porting the work of BSPC. Governments weremore inclined to implement the parliamentary Mr Vatanyar Yagyadeclarations if there was solid backing fromcivil society, Ms Bohlin believed.She expressed a wish that BSPC wouldreview its own working methods. She wasgrateful that the ministers from Åland attendedthe conference and met the parliamentarians inthe debates, but also wondered why ministersfrom other Baltic Sea countries did not attend.Mr.Vatanyar.Yagya,.MP,.St.Petersburg,supported Ms Gestrin’s idea to change thename of the BSPC to Baltic Sea ParliamentaryCouncil, which might be a more appropriate ti-tle. It would not only indicate a forum as such, Ms Anita Brodénbut also comprise a permanent parliamentarydimension in the Baltic Sea Region.He proposed that BSPC should put greateremphasis on the regional parliaments andtheir work, as they are responsible for thefinances and the implementation of legislationat regional level. This would make the workmore relevant for the man in the street and thecitizens of the region.Mr Yagya reiterated the need for clear con-nections between the Northern Dimension andthe EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Asfar as the Northern Dimension projects pre- Mr Georgy LeontievCooperation on Environment and Security 17sented by Mr Henttonen were concerned, Mr Yagya was surprisedthat so many projects lacked funding. He hoped that there could befunding earmarked for Northern Dimension within the framework ofthe international financing institutes.Mr Yagya hoped that cooperation could be started between StPetersburg University and Finnish ecological institutes regarding theenvironmental problems of Lake Ladoga. He also proposed that theenvironmental legislation in the Baltic Sea countries should be coor-dinated as far as possible.Ms.Anita.Brodén,.MP,.Sweden, was satisfied with the way theConference was working, as it receives reports and backgroundinformation from many leading experts. She stressed, however, that itwas also important to reach practical conclusions.18 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMs Brodén was concerned about the continuous discharge into theBaltic Sea from various wastewater systems, from individuals, and es-pecially from ships and boats. She appreciated the work done by theÅland Islands on the issue of wastewater from vessels, and proposedthat the Conference should decide to target the problem of wastewa-ter, regardless of its sources.Mr.Georgy.Leontiev,.MP,.Russia stated that climate change is animportant issue for Russia. He was concerned that no agreement hadbeen reached in Copenhagen in December 2009, and that the KyotoProtocol is running out. Mr Leontiev thought that the EU target toreduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below the 1990 level by2020 is not enough, and that there should be a further 15% in orderto make real progress.He informed participants that Russia had passed a law on energyefficiency that was very much in line with the Kyoto requirements.Municipalities have a key role in implementing the law. One of theCooperation on Environment and Security 19committees in the State Duma is discussingnuclear energy with the aim of securing futureenergy power supply in Russia. The RussianPrime Minister, Mr Putin, has stated that nucle-ar energy is the only alternative to traditionalenergy sources, Mr Leontiev reported.Mr.Antti.Kaikkonen,.MP,.Finland, statedthat the pollution of the Baltic Sea is a gloomyreality but even small actions taken in every-day life can have big positive effects on ourenvironment. He agreed that national and Mr Antti Kaikkonenregional parliaments should play a major rolein preparing relevant Baltic Sea protectionprojects and overseeing their implementation.He also stated that economic developmentand environmental protection are not mutu-ally exclusive. Many environmental projectscan create new jobs, for instance in the field ofrenewable energy. Greater energy efficiency,the lowest possible level of pollution, and re-cycling of resources are all needed in order tobring about change, he concluded.Mr.Franz.Thönnes,.MP,.Germany joinedthose who felt that the parliamentarians have Mr Franz Thönnesan important role for the development andprotection of the Baltic Sea Region. He re-ferred to the Baltic Sea Labour Network, wherethe aim was to foster cross-border labour mar-kets. He underlined the importance of parlia-mentary motions and also the need for feed-back from parliaments and governments in theregion. Moreover, he was in favour of changingthe name ‘Conference’ to ‘Council’, as it wouldcorrectly reflect the way the organisation haddeveloped in recent years.Mr.Lahnstein commented on the role ofparliamentarians and hoped that the parlia-mentary side would present as specific recom-mendations as possible. He vowed that theNorwegian presidency will take all proposalsin the BSPC Resolution into consideration, andstressed that parliamentarians play an impor-tant role by, for instance, simultaneously pos-ing joint questions to all the governments ofthe Baltic Sea Region.Cooperation on Environment and Security 21Second Session:Impact of Climate Change on theBiodiversity in the Baltic Sea RegionMr.Erik.Bonsdorff,.Professor,.Åbo.Academy,.Finland, provided background informationabout climate change and biodiversity. Hestarted by wishing that people could distin-guish between climate and weather, which isa question of time. The climate is changing Mr Erik Bonsdorffbecause the Earth is warming. Global warmingis predicted to be 2–4 degrees over the next70–80 years.Biodiversity is the variation of life formswithin a given habitat or on the entire Earth. Itis often used as a measure of the health of anecosystem. Global warming is a rapidly esca-lating process that will get worse if it is nottackled now. It will be very hard to counteractclimate change, and so it is crucial to do theutmost to prevent the negative effects of theother stressors in the system today.Mr Bonsdorff described the situation that Ms Maria Staniszewskafisheries will collapse unless fish-stocks arerepaired, and that the effects of harmful sub-stances will grow as temperature increases. Ma-rine protected areas are needed, and biodiversi-ty and ecosystem function must be considereda priority. Mr Bonsdorff warned that primaryproduction will increase, and stronger andmore frequent cyanobacterial and harmful algalblooms will follow. The cold-water species areat risk, and they will be replaced with speciesthat can tolerate low salinity and warmer water,i.e. a different marine ecosystem than the oneknown today. Non-native invasive species willbecome more dominant than today, increasingrisks of harmful organisms occurring.The Baltic Sea dead zone can be expectedto further increase in area and volume, withdirect consequences for fisheries. Many cold-water fish species may more or less disappear,and some species may increase. Baltic Seafisheries may be completely different to thoseof today. Once an ecosystem starts heading inone direction it is almost impossible to changethe direction. Agriculture, fishing, shippingand forestry are areas that should rethink theirworking methods and their consequences.22 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMr Bonsdorff noted that much research isbeing done, and that HELCOM has done ahuge job in compiling the results. Climatechange effects cannot be treated separatelyfrom other factors. Simple engineering solu-tions are not sufficient, but science in supportof management is also needed, Mr Bonsdorffconcluded.Ms.Anne.Christine.Brusendorff,.Executive.Secretary,.HELCOM, noticed that biodiver-sity in itself is valuable. HELCOM Baltic Sea Mr Jochen SchulteAction Plan is an ecosystem-based approachto the management of human activities, and itcontains customised measures and actions foreutrophication, hazardous substances, maritimeactivities, biodiversity and nature conservation.Protection of biodiversity is a priority.HELCOM and VASAB are going to start coop-eration to support the elaboration of commonbroad-scale marine spatial planning principlesfor the Baltic Sea. Eutrophication and fisheriesstand out as the two most prominent humanpressures behind changes, especially in thecommunities in the Baltic Sea offshore areas. Mr Werner KuhnAll marine mammals and several bird speciesare under threat or in decline in much of theBaltic Sea.Ms.Maria.Staniszewska,.M.Sc.,.Poland,spoke about climate change, eutrophicationand loss of biodiversity as interacting factorsin the environment. Increasing temperature,lower salinity and eutrophication influencesbiodiversity. Increased temperatures stimulatepelagic bacteria more than primary production.The ratio between bacteria biomass and phyto-plankton is expected to increase with tempera-ture in eutrophied waters. The combination of Mr Tero Jokilehtodecreasing salinity and increasing temperaturewill clearly impair the general condition ofnative benthic species and their adaptabilityto cope with other stressors, e.g. low oxygenlevels due to chemical pollution.Eutrophication poses a direct threat to thehealth of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Changes ofphytoplankton biomass and species composi-tion reflect eutrophication but also climaticchange. Eutrophication is expected to enhanceproduction in the ecosystem up to a centralpoint, after which the system will collapsebecause of interaction of several mechanisms Mr Carsten JürgensenCooperation on Environment and Security 23such as chemical and biotic interaction. After this a new ecologicalbalance will develop, which may be characterised by low biodiversity.In order to remedy the situation Ms Staniszewska argued that theBaltic Sea countries should fully implement all agreements in theHELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan in all sectors, especially the reductionof nutrients. They should also take stronger action against eutrophica-tion, for instance by improving the sanitation systems in rural areas.Mr.Jochen.Schulte,.MP,.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,.Chair.of.the.BSPC.Working.Group.on.Integrated.Maritime.Policy, gavean interim report on the activities of the BSPC Working Group onIntegrated Maritime Policy. The meetings have showed that maritimesafety and climate protection constitute the principal political contentof deliberations and are closely linked to the competitiveness of theBaltic Sea Region. The harmful effects of ship-generated emissionsand the designation of Sulphur Emission Control Areas were at thecentre of deliberations.During its first year, the Working Group decided to make recom-mendations such as the following:• Encourage the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to bringforward the start of worldwide lowering of the sulphur content ofmarine fuels to 0.5 percent,• Examine whether, and to what extent, a further reduction to 0.1percent would result in unacceptable competitive disadvantages forthe Baltic Sea Region, and what measures might be taken to avoidor compensate for such disadvantages.The use of shore-side electricity at berth and alternative fuels isa necessary and promising way of dealing with pollutant emissionsfrom shipping. Mr Schulte proposed that the European Union couldintroduce a tax exemption for shore-side electricity used by ships.Harmonised data communication, strict traffic monitoring and man-datory pilots in difficult sea areas continue to be regarded as ways offurther enhancing maritime safety. Continuous traffic monitoring andmanagement should be improved for the entire Baltic Sea Region byharmonising existing vessel monitoring and traffic management serv-ices, Mr Schulte argued.Mr.Werner.Kuhn,.MEP,.Germany, gave an introduction to theIntegrated Maritime Policy of the EU. He described the targets of theIntegrated Maritime Policy as being cross-sectoral, aiming at opencooperation between different policy areas.Maritime spatial planning is a process designed to promote rationaland sustainable use of the sea, balancing different interests includingenvironmental aspects and improving the quality of decisions. TheEU countries are not obliged to carry out maritime spatial planning.However, the European Commission is promoting this process as astable and transparent way to improve the competitiveness of the EUmaritime economy and to deal with complex trans-national issuessuch as the effects of climate change, Mr Kuhn explained.Mr Kuhn illustrated how the Integrated Maritime Policy is a holisticapproach to maritime development, including energy issues, spatialplanning, fishing, emissions, transport and recreation.24 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMaritime spatial planning is a horizontal tool and a key instrumentfor the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy.Mr.Tero.Jokilehto,.Senior.Specialist,.Finland, argued that therewere far too many regulations written in order to regulate the ship-ping industry. While the Baltic Sea continues to be one of the mostheavily trafficked seas in the world, the number of ship accidents hasdropped drastically, especially in such busy traffic areas as the Gulfof Finland, according to the latest HELCOM study.Mr Jokilehto stated that there is a need for control and advising,but control, rules, regulations and guidelines are positive only so faras they are manageable. A single shipowner might have difficultieswhen trying to read all the regulations, e.g. for the transports in theBaltic Sea Region. New regulations are coming all the time. Harbourscan even have their own regulations, and so forth.Mr Jokilehto recommended that the main regulatory work shouldbe done through IMO. He reminded that parliamentarians should bewatchdogs in the work. He recommended that even local regulationsshould always be negotiated via IMO. Control consists of verifyingtotal compliance with the plan adopted, the instructions used andprinciples established. Mr Jokilehto wished that there could be onebook relevant for the region on the bridge of the vessel, written in alanguage that is understood by all the personnel of the ship.Mr.Carsten.Jürgensen,.BRISK,.Denmark, presented the BRISKproject, which is a flagship project in the EU Strategy for the BalticSea Region. It is an overall risk analysis with common methodologyfor the entire Baltic Sea Region, with the aim of identifying areaswith highest risk of oil spills and environmental damage. BRISKincludes effects of oil spill response and, at the same time, takesinto account characteristics of different sub-regions, ice conditionsetc. The picture of the distribution of the risk for different spill sizesand spilled substances and risk assessment includes prognosis of themaritime traffic, introduction of risk reduction measures and devel-opment of emergency responses. The result is given in operationalterms. The project fits into the HELCOM BSAP. The general objec-tive is to help build up sufficient emergency capacity and pollutionresponse capability in the Baltic Sea Region, Mr Jürgensen explained.Ms.Valentina.Pivnenko,.MP,.State.Duma,.Russia, referring to MrJürgensen ́s presentation, expressed a wish for more specific infor-mation on the potential accidents that might occur if Russian tank-ers collide with other vessels, as Mr Jürgensen had indicated. MsPivnenko wondered whether the Russian ship officers possess ade-quate training and experience, as Russian tankers are mentioned. Shereminded participants about the system in which Estonia, Finlandand Russia are working together and the positive results generatedin terms of decreasing numbers of accidents in the Gulf of Finland.Mr.Jürgensen answered that the concern of the countries is basedon the critically dense traffic, where big tankers are always a risk.According to him, the Russian vessels were in good shape and werewell run by professional, experienced and engaged personnel. ButCooperation on Environment and Security 25it is the frequent and dense traffic that com-prised a risk factor. Intensified traffic, includ-ing more oil tankers, always increases risks atsea.Ms.Susanna.Huovinen,.MP,.Finland, feltthat data was needed for decision-making;consequently she was grateful to HELCOM fordelivering information. At the same time shewas concerned about the situation that almostnowhere are we close to achieving the goalsregarding the health status of the Baltic Sea. Ms Susanna HuovinenShe referred to a report on the Baltic Sea is-sued by the Finnish Government to the parlia-ment in 2009, including some 70 actions andgovernmental follow-up. She called for moreconcrete actions about funding and better co-ordination between nations and organisationsin order to achieve more results. Ms Huovinenmentioned the COFREP system between Esto-nia, Finland and Russia, which is a mandatoryreporting system that has reduced accidents inthe Gulf of Finland. To regulate is to preventaccidents. What could be needed, however, isbetter agreement on follow-up of the regula- Ms Lisbeth Grönfeldttions, Ms Huovinen concluded. BergmanMs.Lisbeth.Grönfeld-Bergman,.MP,.Swe-den, was concerned about competitivenessin the region. She proposed that the BSPCWorking Group on Integrated Maritime Policyshould look at the situation from the perspec-tive of industry and shipping, and try to workto give these sectors good conditions in theBaltic Sea Region. Smart technological solu-tions should be sought in energy and fuel de-velopment. She hoped that the working groupcould generate concrete proposals in time forthe next conference. Mr Börje VestlundBörje.Vestlund,.MP,.Sweden, agreed withMs Lisbeth Grönfeld-Bergman that competitive-ness should be incorporated in the discussionwhen comparing the conditions for a vesselfrom the Mediterranean to one from the BalticSea. The IMO sulphur regulation increasescosts for sea transports as well as reducescompetiveness for e.g. the forestry industry inthe Baltic Sea Region.Mr.Bernd.Voss,.MP,.Parliament.of.Sch-leswig-Holstein referred to the cooperationbetween the universities of St Petersburg andKiel dating from the 1920s. He saw it as an ex- Mr Bernd Voss26 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceample of contact between people that is characteristic for the region.He noted that neither fish nor fishermen are doing well in the regionand therefore argued for stronger parliamentary action on fisheries.Cooperation on Environment and Security 27Tuesday 31 AugustThird Session:The Baltic Sea Region as an Area ofPeace and SecurityDr.Sia.Spiliopoulou.Åkermark,.Professor,.Director,.Åland.Islands.Peace.Institute, Ms Sia Spiliopouloustarted by illustrating how the concept of secu- Åkermarkrity had changed and developed new dimen-sions through time. Talking about security inthe Baltic Sea Region she was convinced thatsecurity concerns at government level in theBaltic Sea Region have not decreased in recentyears. On the contrary, NATO has recentlymade contingency plans for the Baltic Statesand increased the frequency of exercises in theBaltic Sea Region, including Partnership forPeace countries such as Sweden and Finland.The image of peace has been modified by theintroduction of the concept of human security. Mr Pertti JoenniemiDr Spiliopoulou Åkermark used some exam-ples to illustrate today’s work for peace. Shestated that work focusing on gender qualityand prevention of trafficking means preventingthe causes that allow development of organ-ised crime. This means addressing issues ofgender inequality, gender stereotypes, sexualand domestic violence and holding continu-ous debate on these themes, in particular withyoung people, girls and boys alike.Dr Spiliopoulou Åkermark talked about civilsociety contacts, observing that NGO coop-eration enhances contacts between countries Mr Charly Salonius-and persons who would not otherwise meet, Pasternakin spite of being neighbours around the samesea. A problem is how to finance these con-tacts. In many smaller countries and regionsaround the Baltic Sea there is neither thefinancial nor institutional capacity to make useof the enormous funds available at internation-al level. And some of the countries are them-selves unable or unwilling to contribute withthe kind of co-funding usually required.Speaking about management of diversity andmulticulturalism, Ms Spiliopoulou Åkermarkobserved that the Baltic Sea region has several Mr Trivimi Velliste28 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceexamples of management of diversity and regional identity. She tookas an example the increased awareness of the situation of the Samipeople in the north.Regional self-government is debated in various parts of the worldas a potential solution to conflicts. The Åland Islands is a goodexample, but there are also good models in democracy and self-government in several other regions around the Baltic Sea. There aretwo interesting things about the Åland example: firstly, the combina-tion of demilitarisation and neutrality with regional autonomy, andsecondly the longevity of the regime.Mr.Pertti.Joenniemi talked about the relationship between theBaltic Sea Region and Europe. We might be used to regarding Eu-rope as consisting of a concentric configuration, i.e. a setting whereour own policy tries to remedy our marginality by moving towardsthe core. But we are, in fact, being offered the role of a creative forcein a regional sense, Mr Joenniemi suggested.Security has traditionally held a central role in the debate concern-ing the Baltic Sea Region. It has therefore brought about a dividedpolitical landscape. With issues pertaining to alliances, balances,security guarantees, etc. high on the agenda, there has been verylittle space for regionalisation to unfold and impact the politicallandscape. It would be an overstatement to claim that the Baltic SeaRegion remains stuck with the old power political discourse, butthere may well be issues to pursue pertaining to various soft formsof security.The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region aims to create a ratherpluralistic constellation instead of staying within the confines of aconcentric one. This time Brussels does not seem to insist on impos-ing strict conditions for the unfolding of regionalisation. Instead, themessage seems to be encouraging the Baltic Sea Region to continueprecisely on the basis of its own logic. The argument is that weshould remain precisely where we already are.Mr Joenniemi argued that there are clear signs of a formativemoment in European development, with far greater emphasis on arather de-centred Europe of macro-regions than has been the casepreviously. The constitutive discourse impacting the unfolding ofpolitical space in Europe seems to be changing and it also positionsthe Baltic Sea Region in a new context. Considerable possibilities areopening up, but the change underway also entails formidable chal-lenges. Therefore, yet another switch to a new discourse seems to beneeded to prevent us being stuck with an already outdated one, MrJoenniemi concluded.Mr.Trivimi.Velliste,.MP,.Estonia,.Vice.President.of.the.Baltic.Assembly, described the Baltic Sea Region today being neither ahomogeneous, united nor integrated area. It can be characterisedby differences between the countries in terms of size, developmentand welfare, even proximity to the sea itself. The countries have alsodifferent perceptions of their history. In spite of this, the countriesin the Baltic Sea Region are united by important political objectives.They have a common political agenda and they enjoy dynamic eco-Cooperation on Environment and Security 31nomic cooperation. The regional cooperation has indeed providedsignificant security and stability. The Baltic Sea Region is quite atypical European region where a great variety of nations and policiesmeet in a relatively small space.Mr Velliste reviewed the situation in the region. According tohim, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Unionbrought about substantial change in Sweden’s and Finland’s neu-trality. Alongside new developments in the foreign policies of thecountries concerned, there was also unprecedented activity in inter-national institutions in the region. Mr Velliste also felt that, despitemany fundamental changes in the Baltic Sea Region and renewingdynamism of the security system, it is universally recognised that theregion was, and remains, one of the most stable parts of Europe.Old threats, including nuclear weapons, persist in new forms,while new threats have emerged. These new forms of insecurity,which include financial instability, environmental degradation, en-ergy dependence, organised crime and terrorism, are more diverse,less visible and less predictable than ever before. According to MrVelliste, security analysis requires answers to three main questions:what needs to be secured; from whom; and how to secure. A securityreview should also develop ways to make Russia feel more attractedto, and less marginalised by, the institutions and organisations ofEuropean security, thereby encouraging Russia to define itself as areal stakeholder in the European security architecture, rather than asa critic of the system.It is necessary to seek new methods and means in order to combatasymmetric threats, including cyber attacks and organised crime, MrVelliste concluded.Mr.Charly.Salonius-Pasternak,.Researcher,.the.Finnish.Institute.of.International.Affairs, started by stating that there are currentlythree plus one security communities in the Baltic Sea Region: theNordics, Baltic Three, and the “Hansa Core” of Germany and Poland.In addition, these three groups form a larger internal security com-munity. Despite the significant changes that have taken place in theBaltic Sea Region in the past 20 years – with EU and NATO member-ships being the most significant from a security perspective – therehave been no wars in the region. Mr Salonius-Pasternak noticedthat overall cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region has increased withgrowing stability, as all but one Baltic Sea country has joined eitherEU or NATO, or both.Increased interdependence in economics and trade, as well ashistory, has provided much of the coherence. Mr Salonius-Pasternakspeculated about the future, stating that EU consolidation and NATOexpansion means that by 2020 there will effectively be two playersin the field of security in the Baltic Sea area: the EU/NATO securitycommunity and Russia. This will mean that for Finland and the threeBaltic states, the Baltic Sea Region is not, and will not in the comingdecades, be a unified security community. According to Mr Salonius-Pasternak, any changes to this are largely dependent on internalchanges and dynamics in Russia.32 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe situation has repercussions at nationallevel, in terms of Baltic Sea Region coopera-tion and also more broadly. At national level,money is expended and resources used onmilitary and other hard security related mattersthat could be used for other purposes, con-cluded Mr Salonius-Pasternak.Mr.Björn.Lyrvall,.Director.General,.Min-istry.of.Foreign.Affairs,.Sweden praised thecooperation concept in the Baltic Sea Regionwhere all levels of society cooperate in a Mr Björn Lyrvalldecentralised way. The region has positivecharacteristics as the cooperation is a profoundsub-regional phenomenon. Russian participa-tion is one of the crucial factors.Speaking about Europe, Mr Lyrvall observedthat it is an area of interdependence. Thereis a transition taking place towards a moreglobalised world, and the area is facing newthreats and challenges that go beyond tradi-tional concepts of hard security. Trans-borderand borderless activities are often complex aswe head towards a multilateral and broadernon-military and non-state situation. Sweden Mr Erkki Tuomiojahas recognised that it is as important to workwith the security of the individual as it is towork with the security of the state.Mr Lyrvall described the Nordic-Baltic co-operation, called NB8, and announced that anexpert report on the future cooperation waspresented recently. As the NB8 frameworkwas established in the early 1990s a strategyupdate was needed on how to strengthen thiscooperation. The new report with its 38 hands-on recommendations will now be discussed inorder to develop this cooperation further.Mr Lyrvall also mentioned the Arctic Coun- Ms Line Barfodcil and Barents Council as highly prioritisedorganisations in regional cooperation. Swedenis taking an active part in the development ofthese regional councils. Nowhere else in Eu-rope is Russia more involved in security coop-eration than in the northern European region.Every security challenge involves Russia, andRussia is a part of every solution.Speaking about the Northern Dimension, MrLyrvall observed that the participating statesdo not always necessarily agree on everythingat the practical level. In spite of such difficul-ties, the Baltic Sea Region has shown that Ms Gabriele Dobusch34 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencepractical regional cooperation is possible and also fruitful. We sharethe region and the future with Russia, and continue to cooperate, MrLyrvall concluded.Mr.Erkki.Tuomioja,.MP,.Finland observed that the Baltic Sea istoday an open region for everyone. And for the first time ever, theBaltic Sea Region embraces only countries committed to democraticprinciples and to the recognition of human rights. At the same time,the Baltic Sea Region is an area where all the new threats to thebroad concept of security can be found.Concerns about traditional military threats have not all disappearedand there are still too many weapons, including nuclear weapons, inor close to the Baltic Sea Region. As these weapons are not deployedprimarily for reasons related to the region itself, their reduction ismore likely to come about as a result of more comprehensive andglobal disarmament and arms control negotiations.States could also use military resources to enhance confidenceand cooperation in the region. Mr Tuomioja took as an example thenavies that could be engaged to cooperate on maritime surveillanceand rescue services as they no longer have much use as a deterrentfor potential invaders. He welcomed the project of the Nord Streamgas pipeline as an example of the kind of trans-national cooperationthat will promote positive interdependence between Russia and theEU.Mr Tuomioja shared the opinion regarding NGO participation inregional co-operation. People-to-people contacts are fundamentallyimportant in facilitating and promoting democracy and peace.Ms.Line.Barfod,.MP,.Denmark,.Chair.of.the.BSPC.Working.Group.on.Civil.Security,.especially.Trafficking.in.Human.Beings,gave a gloomy picture about trafficking and its repercussions. On theone hand there is a demand for cheap labour and sexual services,and on the other hand there are people with poor living condi-tions and little or no hope for the future. This market is exploitedby criminals who lure or coerce their victims into slavery. They takeadvantage of people who have little or no opportunities to providefor themselves and their families. This is something that goes on, andnot only in poor, remote countries. It also takes place here withinour own region. People are sold on an equal footing to drugs andweapons but, unlike drugs and weapons where profit can only bemade once, victims of trafficking can be sold again and again. Andthis is the brutal perspective that makes human trafficking such anextremely lucrative business with a very high profit margin. At thesame time, there is little risk of the people responsible being caughtand punished, which is why human trafficking is one of the mostrapidly-growing types of criminality, not only in the Baltic regionand Europe, but also in a global context.Consequently, the problem is both local and international and musttherefore be placed high on the political agenda at both levels. Itis not enough to leave the problem to international organisations.Human trafficking is very much a local problem. We must fight thefactors that make people vulnerable and we have to make sure thatCooperation on Environment and Security 35victims find the necessary support to regaincontrol over their lives, Ms Barfod said.Ms Barfod described the meetings, workingmethods, contacts with other stakeholders andrecommendations drafted by the group. Thefocus areas are as follows: national and region-al perspectives concerning human trafficking;economic aspects of human trafficking; vic-tims of human trafficking; children as victimsof human trafficking; police and prosecutionawareness. The Working Group is a political Mr Nikolay Churkinworking group that can make joint politicalrecommendations. Ms Barfod was pleased toreport that, despite different national and partypolitical convictions, the Working Group hasnot found it difficult to reach consensus on itsrecommendations.Ms.Gabriele.Dobusch,.MP,.Hamburg, sharedthe opinion of Ms Barfod that trafficking is anissue that must be tackled on a united front.She was concerned about the lack of dataabout women working unofficially in restau-rants, hotels, households and childcare. It is Ms Sinikka Bohlinsocial dumping that is difficult to stop. Womenin particular end up working in very poorconditions. The concept of free movement hasled to low salaries. The number of identifiedvictims will increase if there are no joint forcesfighting for their rights. Raising awareness ontrafficking is a good first step. Preventativework in the gender programmes is necessary,Ms Dobusch said.Mr.Nikolay.Churkin,.MP,.Russia, declaredthat problems and risks in the Baltic SeaRegion are first and foremost related to therelationship between the environment and citi- Mr Stanislaw Wziatekzens. People in the region live together with-out threatening each other. Speaking about theRussian fleet in the Baltic Sea, Mr Churkin em-phasised that it is training solely for anti-terror-ist actions. Three ships are using this area fortraining to counter Somali pirates, and weap-ons are used only for training. The Russianterritory in the Baltic Sea Region is an areaof stability. Eight of the Baltic Sea states areNATO countries, and Mr Churkin hoped thatthis will not lead to polarity, but that countriescan work together in a pragmatic way.Mr Churkin urged the BSPC to continue its36 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceco-operation with non-EU states in the region. The Russian Federa-tion will fully participate in co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region,which is highly regarded by Russian decision-making bodies.Ms.Sinikka.Bohlin,.MP,.Sweden, observed that security systemsare being sold more than ever in our countries. There is an anxietyin society that parliamentarians must address.Mr.Stanislaw.Wziatek,.MP,.Poland thought that parliamentariansshould have visions and goals and efficient ways to attaining crediblesolutions, which can also be applied in the area of peace and secu-rity. Political dialogue ought to turn from endeavours and wishes toconcrete action. Mr Wziatek referred to the environment in the BalticSea and reminded participants about the chemical weapons lyingon the sea bed. Purity of water ought to be a priority, as there mightcome a time when the waters are dangerous because of the chemi-cals. The elimination of munitions from World War II is an importanttask. He also spoke about the NATO-Russia relationship in the lightof the report of the so-called NATO group of wise men, and hopedthat a new strategic NATO concept should arise.Cooperation on Environment and Security 37Adoption of Documents andClosing of the ConferenceMs.Christina.Gestrin informed participants about the work of theEnlarged Standing Committee acting as Drafting Committee dur-ing the conference. The BSPC Work Programme 2010–2011, revisedBSPC Rules of Procedure, and, not least, the 19th BSPC Resolution,was then adopted unanimously by the Conference.Ms Gestrin thanked all participants for their active involvement andconstructive debate, and looked forward to continued and intenseactivities in all BSPC bodies during the coming year. She remindedall parliamentarians to take the resolution back to their parliamentsand governments and urge them to implement its recommendations.She reiterated her thanks to the host, the Åland Islands, for invitingthe BSPC to Mariehamn, and to the Åland Islands secretariat for itsskilful and smooth organisation of the Conference. Next year it willbe 20 years since the first parliamentary conference was held in Hel-sinki. Ms Gestrin closed the conference by welcoming participants tothe 20th conference in Helsinki.38 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceConference ResolutionAdopted by the 19th Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference (BSPC)The participants, elected representatives from the Baltic Sea States*,assembling in Mariehamn, Åland Islands, 29–31 August 2010, discuss-ing Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region, Climate Change and Bio-diversity, Integrated Maritime Policy, Peace and Security in the BalticSea Region, and Trafficking in Human Beings,A. emphasizing the important role parliamentarians can play fora sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region, by raisingawareness, building opinion, driving issues, exerting politicalpressure on governments, and initiating and adopting legislation;B. reaffirming the close, constructive and mutually beneficial ex-change between BSPC and CBSS, as evidenced in e g the interac-tion between BSPC and CBSS working bodies on trafficking inhuman beings and on integrated maritime policy, and recogniz-ing the usefulness of this interaction as a joint resource in follow-ing and addressing the economic, social and political challengesof the Baltic Sea Region;C. maintaining its strong support to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Ac-tion Plan as one of the main tools for the restoration of goodecological status of the Baltic Sea by 2021, regretting that not allHELCOM member states had managed – as they had agreed – topresent national implementation plans at the HELCOM Ministeri-al Meeting in Moscow 20 May, and expecting that those countriesthat did not deliver national implementation plans will do so atthe high-level meeting of HELCOM in early 2011 at the latest;D. noting with satisfaction the adoption of the declaration “A Visionfor the Baltic Sea Region by 2020” at the 8th Summit if the BalticSea States in Vilnius in June 2010, and considering the implemen-tation of its provisions as a key factor for further development olfthe Baltic Sea Region;E. taking note of the adoption of the EU Strategy for the Baltic SeaRegion in October 2009, underlining that since the EU strategyis an internal EU endeavor, it should be adequately harmonizedwith the Northern Dimension policy, which brings together EU-and non-EU- members as equal cooperating partners;*Parliaments of Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Federal Republicof Germany, Greenland, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Latvia, Leningrad, Lithuania,Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of theRussian Federation, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, City of St. Pe-tersburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Sweden, Åland Islands, Baltic Assembly, European Parliament, NordicCouncil, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.40 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceF. supporting the Baltic Sea Action Summit as a platform for practi-cal commitments aiming at saving the Baltic Sea, and reaffirmingthe BSPC commitment to the Summit to continue to take politicalinitiatives, to follow the actions taken by the states in the region,and to exercise parliamentary pressure on the national govern-ments of the Baltic Sea Region, urging them to fulfill their obliga-tions in the Baltic Sea Action Plan,call on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS andthe EU,Regarding Co-operation in the Region, to1. consider ways to further strengthen cooperation in the Baltic SeaRegion between the CBSS and the BSPC in order to ensure cohe-sion and to avoid divisions in the Baltic Sea Region, while sup-porting CBSS in implementing the aims of its reform process andachieving concrete results within the framework of its long-timepriorities;2. fulfil their already agreed obligations under the HELCOM BalticSea Action Plan, in particular – for those who have not alreadydone so – by producing concrete National Implementation Plansby early 2011 at the latest;3. fulfil their commitments to the Baltic Sea Action Summit, for in-stance by allocating sufficient resources for the actual implemen-tation of commitments;4. coordinate as far as possible the EU Baltic Sea Strategy with theNorthern Dimension policy, as well as with the Council of theBaltic Sea States – being a core regional cooperation body – andother Northern and Baltic cooperation bodies;5. provide contributions to the BSAP Trust Fund managed by theNordic Investment Bank and the Nordic Environment FinanceCorporation, thereby strengthening the resources for the devel-opment of bankable projects, meaning coherent, realistic and vi-able projects to implement environmental and other projects forthe benefit of the Baltic Sea Region;6. work to gradually dismantle barriers encountered by workers,companies and tourists, such as visa requirements and require-ments to register place of residence, continue to work towardsdismantling obstacles to mobility for workers in the border re-gions and ensure the availability of a range of high-quality infor-mation centres ensuring social security for cross-border workers;7. promote the further development of civil society in the region,including assisting NGOs both in accessing Baltic Sea supportprogrammes and in placing applications in order to boost theirinvolvement in implementing the programmes;Cooperation on Environment and Security 41Regarding Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Baltic SeaRegion, to8. apply an ecosystem approach to the environmental work in theBaltic Sea Region, including investments, research and develop-ment to protect ecosystem services and to integrate their valuesin economic systems, national budgets and strategies for sustain-able development, as appropriate;9. support measures to protect and restore biodiversity, such as re-instating migratory waterways, restoring physical environments,oxygenization and restocking;10. enhance work with the aim of preventing the continued intro-duction of alien invasive species of flora and fauna in the BalticSea by ships, for instance by developing technologies for bal-last water treatment and by a possible ban against ballast waterexchange in certain areas;11. take active measures to protect threatened species, minimizeby-catches and phase out discard in fishing, and to ensure thatcommercial fishing respects catch quotas and fishing areas;12. take strong and focused measures to eliminate illegal, unregu-lated and unreported (IUU) fishing, by reinforcing inspectionresources and by strengthening landing control;Cooperation on Environment and Security 43Regarding Integrated Maritime Policy in the Baltic Sea Region, to13. promote new measures in view of reduction of harmful emissions:• render more active support than heretofore to short sea ship-ping as an eco-friendly alternative to inland transport;• investigate to what extent the reduction of the sulphur contentof ship fuels may result in competitive disadvantages to theeconomy in the Baltic Sea Region and elaborate proposals onhow to avoid such disadvantages while maintaining high envi-ronmental standards in the maritime sector;• actively support the projects approaved for funding under theBaltic region Programme, especially such projects with theobjective to reduce harmful emissions from ships and developreception facilities for waste water from ships in the ports ofthe Baltic Sea;14. support the implementation of improved security and fire pre-vention measures regarding vessels, terminals, ports, sea andshore-line constructions as well as the use of environmentallyfriendly substances to alleviate damages caused by accidents;15. extend the obligatory use of pilots in risk areas of the BalticSea and strictly implement the ban on transporting oil in single-hulled tankers;16. initiate measures which 1) pave the way for and promote the useof a single language in international transport operations at seaand on land, and 2) standardize and facilitate the implementationof joint customs and taxation procedures;17. continue to ensure improvements to the transport infrastructurein the Baltic Sea Region and, while focussing in particular ondeveloping land and sea routes, to promote a transport policythat is in principle governed by the idea that transport operationsshould be carried out in an eco-friendly way, supported by aninterconnected infrastructure;18. make sure that the EU TEN-T core network must be made up ofnodes (capitals, other cities or agglomerations of supra-regionalimportance, gateway ports, intercontinental hub ports andairports, the most important inland ports and freight terminals)and connections of the highest strategic and economic impor-tance linked with key infrastructure in third countries (includingRussia).19. attach particular importance to the strategic development of theseaports with associated logistics centres and rail terminals inorder to create national, regional and European networks. In thiscontext, gaps in the priority TEN projects should be filled, and theprojects should be linked and consolidated into a core network;20. support initiatives for improving safety of navigation and envi-ronmental risk reduction in the Baltic Sea and addressing thehuman factor including support of initiatives that can lead to lessadministrative burdens by harmonizing and elaborating the exist-ing ship reporting systems (SRS) and vessel traffic services (VTS)in the Baltic Sea;44 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference21. strengthen the joint regional as well as national preparednessand capacity to tackle major spills of oil and hazardous substanc-es, for instance by sub-regional preparations, co-ordination andexercises, as pursued in the HELCOM BRISK project, and by pro-curing sufficient supplies of oil spill and hazardous substancesrecovery equipment;Regarding Peace and Security in the Baltic Sea Region, to22. encourage and foster the development of a joint perception ofthe threats against public safety and civil security in the region,covering natural as well as technological and other man-madethreats and risks;23. promote the development of joint strategies, action programmesand concrete resources to prevent and manage the threatsagainst civil security in the region;24. extract and exchange experiences from recent threats, such asthe bird flu in 2007, the cyber attacks in Estonia in 2007, and theswine flu in 2009, in order to gain knowledge and enhance thejoint awareness and preparedness for such threats;25. promote the dissemination of the experiences from the Baltic SeaRegion regarding peace, security and development of democracyin political and diplomatic contacts in order to support democ-racy;26. exchange available information on the location and state ofsea-dumped chemical weapons, to inform the public about thethreats caused by these weapons, to prepare guidelines forbehaviour if unexpectedly encountered with sea-dumped chemi-cal weapons, and to organize seminars and conferences on thisissue.Regarding Trafficking in Human Beings, to27. sign, ratify and accede, for those countries that have not alreadydone so, to all relevant international conventions, protocolsand decisions, such as the Trafficking in Persons Protocol (“ThePalermo Protocol”), the Council of Europe Convention on ActionAgainst Trafficking in Human Beings, and other internationalagreements; consequently, national legislation and administrationof justice should, where necessary, be reviewed and amended inorder to ensure conformity with international conventions andprotocols and to enable legislation that criminalizes all chains oftrafficking in human beings;28. recognize that trafficking in human beings is an internationalcross-border crime that requires international cooperation andconcerted action across borders, but also that the actual exploi-tation of victims is perpetrated locally and therefore should befought by enhanced local plans and resources, including efforts tocurb the demand for sexual services from victims of trafficking;Cooperation on Environment and Security 4729. allocate sufficient, permanent and dedicated funds and resourcesto, for instance, public authorities, specialized agencies, NGOs,and inter-governmental organizations and projects, such as theCBSS Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, in order tomaintain the pursuit of persistent and sustained efforts againsttrafficking in human beings, for example by measures such asthe Nordic Council internal instruction on using only those hotelsthat can issue a guarantee that they do not engage in any facilita-tion of selling or buying sexual services;30. promote the development of an interoperable, coordinated andtransparent system for the collection, analysis, exchange anddissemination of information on trafficking in human beings,in order to enhance the understanding of the problem, developadequate measures against it, improve the capacity to identifyvictims of trafficking, support investigation and prosecution oftrafficking cases, and provide best possible assistance to victimsof trafficking;31. ensure that a victim-centered approach is adopted in all meas-ures and actions against trafficking in human beings, meaningthat trafficking is exploitation irrespective of where it takes placeor what form it takes, that the human rights of trafficked per-sons should be at the centre of all efforts against trafficking, thatvictims should be protected, assisted and empowered, and thatvictims and relatives of victims should receive unconditional as-sistance regardless of their status, their willingness to participatein criminal proceedings against traffickers or the kind of exploi-tation experienced;32. promote and support the development of the operational capacityto fight trafficking in the field; efficient cooperation models shouldbe developed both between relevant state actors – such as the po-lice, prosecutors, social welfare authorities and migration authori-ties – and with NGOs, in order to strengthen the chain of assist-ance and protection of witnesses, victims and relatives of victimsand to increase the number of convictions of the perpetrators;Furthermore the Conference33. asks the Standing Committee to perform an evaluation of thefunctioning of the BSPC Joint Financing Mechanism, including aconsideration of a possible revision of the procedures for financ-ing the Secretariat function;34. adopts the amended Rules of Procedure, to take effect after theclosure of 19th BSPC;35. welcomes with gratitude the kind offer of the Parliament ofFinland to host the 20th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference inHelsinki on 28 – 30 August 2011.48 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceProgrammeThe 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMariehamn, Åland Islands, 29 – 31 August 2010Sunday, 29th August11.00 The registration office opens at the ParliamentBuilding13.00 Excursion to ÅCA, a biogas and dairy plant. Visitto the ruins of the Fortess of Bomarsund via theCastle of Kastelholm.Transportation from the Parliament Building.Transportation are arranged for those arriving tothe harbour of Väster hamn at 12.00 (Viking Lineterminal) in Mariehamn.18.00 BSPC Standing Committee meeting at HotelArkipelag.20.00 Dinner at Alandica Cultur and Congress CentreHost: The Parliament of FinlandCooperation on Environment and Security 49Monday, 30th August07.45 The registration office opens at the ParliamentBuilding.08.00 Enlarged Standing Committee, as Drafting Commit-tee, at Hotel Arkipelag.09.00 OPENING.OF.THE.CONFERENCE.Chair: Ms Christina Gestrin, MP, Finland, Chairmanof the BSPCVice-Chair: Ms Valentina Pivnenko, MP, State Dumaof the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation,Vice Chairman of the BSPCWelcome by Mr Roger Nordlund, Speaker of theÅland ParliamentMusic: Pianist Emanuele Ferrari,Solist Stephanie Jörgensen09.30 Welcome by Mr Harry Jansson, Åland, Member ofthe Standing Committee of the BSPC, Chairman ofthe Åland parliament BSPC delegationFIRST.SESSIONCooperation in the Baltic Sea RegionChair: Ms Christina Gestrin, MP, Finland, Chairmanof the BSPCVice-Chair: Ms Valentina Pivnenko, MP, State Dumaof the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation,Vice Chairman of the BSPCReport from the Standing CommitteeMs Christina Gestrin, MP, Finland, Chairman of theBSPCReport from CBSSMr Erik Lahnstein, State Secretary, Norway10.30 Coffee and Tea is served outside the Chamber.Ms Diana Wallis, Vice-President, European Parlia-mentHELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanMs Anne Christine Brusendorff, Executive Secre-tary, Helsinki CommissionEU Baltic Sea Strategy and the Northern DimensionMr Jaakko Henttonen, NDEP Manager, EuropeanBank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)Recipient of the Baltic Sea Prize 2010.EU Baltic Sea StrategyMr Jean-Marc Venineaux, DG REGIO, EuropeanCommissionThe Baltic Sea Action Summit 2010Dr Mathias Bergman, Secretary General, Baltic SeaAction GroupPlenary debate12.30 Lunch.at.Indigo.Restaurant50 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference14.00 SECOND.SESSION.Impact of Climate Change on the Biodiversityin the Baltic Sea RegionChair: Mr Franz Thönnes, MP, Germany, Member ofthe BSPC Standing CommitteeVice-Chair: Mr Trivimi Velliste, Vice President of theBaltic Assembly, Estonia,Member of the BSPC Standing CommitteeDr Erik Bonsdorff, Professor, Åbo AcademyMs Anne Christine Brusendorff, Executive Secre-tary, Helsinki CommissionMs Maria Staniszewska, Master of Science, PolishEcological Club City of Gliwice Chapter. Recipientof the Baltic Sea Prize 200515.15 Coffee and Tea is served outside the Chamber.Progress.report.from.BSPC.Working.Group.on.Integrated.Maritime.Policy.Mr Jochen Schulte, MP, Landtag Mecklenburg-Vor-pommern, Chairman of the Working GroupMr Werner Kuhn, MP, European ParliamentMr Tero Jokilehto, Senior Specialist, Ministry ofTransport and CommunicationsThe BRISK Project (Sub-regional Risk of Spill ofOil and Hazardous Substances in the Baltic Sea)Mr Carsten Jürgensen, Doctor, COWI A/S DenmarkPlenary debate17.30 – 19.00 Enlarged Standing Committee, as Drafting Commit-tee, at Hotel Arkipelag20.00 Dinner at S/S Pommern, a 4-masted barqueHost: Mr Roger Nordlund, Speaker of the ÅlandParliamentCooperation on Environment and Security 51Tuesday, 31st August08.30 – 09.30 Enlarged Standing Committee, as Drafting Commit-tee, at Hotel Arkipelag09.30 THIRD.SESSION.The Baltic Sea Region as an Area of Peace andSecurityChair: Mr Harry Jansson, MP, Åland, Member of theBSPC Standing CommitteeVice-Chair: Mr Ryszard Górecki, MP, Poland, Mem-ber of the BSPC Standing CommitteeConvergence or divergence in Baltic Sea Security?Dr Sia Spiliopoulou-Åkermark, Associate professor,DirectorMr Pertti Joenniemi, Licenciate of Social Sciences,International Politics Senior Researcher, Danishinstitute for international studiesMr Trivimi Velliste, Vice President of the Baltic As-sembly, Member of the National Defence Commit-tee of the Riigikogu10.00 Coffee and Tea is served outside the Chamber.Mr Charly Salonius-Pasternak, Researcher, the Finn-ish Institute of International AffairsMr Björn Lyrvall, Director-General for Political Af-fairs, Foreign Ministry of SwedenProgress.Report.from.BSPC.Working.Group.on.Civil.Security/TraffickingMs Line Barfod, MP, Denmark, Chair of the work-ing groupPlenary debate12.00 Lunch.at.Indigo.Restaurant13.00 CLOSING.OF.THE.CONFERENCE.Chair: Ms Christina Gestrin, MP, Finland, Chairmanof the BSPCVice-Chair: Ms Valentina Pivnenko, MP, State Dumaof the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation,Vice Chairman of the BSPCAdministrative MattersAdoption.of.ResolutionPresentation.of.Next.Year’s.Host.Country14.00 Press.ConferenceCooperation on Environment and Security 53List of ParticipantsSpeakersBarfod, Line MP, Chairman of the Working GroupBergman, Mathias Secretary General, Baltic Sea ActionGroupBonsdorff, Erik Professor,Åbo AcademyBrusendorff, Anne Christine Executive Secretary, HelsinkiCommissionGestrin, Christina MP, Finland, Chairman of the BSPCHenttonen, Jaakko NDEP Manager, European Bank forReconstruction and Development(EBRD), Recipient of the Baltic SeaPrize 2010Jansson, Harry MP, Member of the BSPC StandingCommitteeJoenniemi, Pertti Licenciate of Social Sciences,International Politics SeniorResearcher,Danish Institute forinternational StudiesJokilehto, Tero Senior Specialist, Finland ́s Ministryof Transport and CommunicationJürgensen, Carsten Doctor, COWI A/S DenmarkKuhn, Werner MEP, European ParliamentLahnstein, Erik State Secretary, Representing theCBSS, chairmanship, NorwayLyrvall, Björn Director-General for Political Affairs,Foreign Ministry of SwedenNordlund, Roger President of the Åland ParliamentSalonius-Pasternak, Charly Researcher, the Finnish Institute ofInternational AffairsSchulte, Jochen MP, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,Chairman of the Working GroupSpiliopoulou-Åkerman, Sia Associate Professor, Dr, Director,Åland Peace InstituteStaniszewska, Maria Master of Science, Polish EcologicalClub City of Gliwice Chapter.Recipient of the Baltic Sea Prize 2005Venineaux, Jean-Marc DG REGIO, European CommissionVelliste, Trivimi MP, Vice president of the BalticAssembly, Member of the BSPCStanding CommitteeWallis, Diana Vice President, European Parliament54 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceParliaments andparliamentary organisationsBaltic AssemblyZommere, Erika MP, PresidentThe Council of Federation of the Federal Assemblyof the Russian FederationChurkin, Nikolay MPEuropean ParliamentGallagher, Pat the Cope MEPKuhn, Werner MEPWallis, Diana MEP, Vice PresidentNordic CouncilEklöw, Raija-Liisa MPGestrin, Christina MPOlsson, Kent MPSindal, Niels MPTuomioja, Erkki MPParliamentary Assembly of the Council of EuropeVesaite, Birute MPParliament of DenmarkBarfod, Line MPBisgaard, Per MPParliament of EstoniaReps, Mailis MPVelliste, Trivimi MPParliament of FinlandHarkimo, Leena MPHuovinen, Susanna MPKaikkonen, Antti MPNauclér, Elisabeth MPTiillikainen, Kimmo MPParliament of Free and Hanse City of BremenMathes, Karin MPSchildt, Frank MPParliament of Free and Hanse City of HamburgDuden, Barbara MP, Vice PresidentDobusch, Gabriele MPHackbusch, Norbert MPMachaczek, Bettina MPWaldowsky, Andreas MPCooperation on Environment and Security 55Parliament of GreenlandHammond, Aleqa MPParliament of LatviaBendrate, Silva MPReirs, Janis MPParliament of Leningrad Region of RussiaKiselev, Nikolay MPPetelin, Evgeniy MPPotomsky, Vadim MPParliament of LithuaniaAdomenas, Mantas MPSiauliene, Irene MPParliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernBretschneider, Sylvia MP, PresidentDr. Jäger, Armin MPHolznagel, Renate MPMüller, Detlef MPSchulte‚ Jochen MPSchwebs, Birgit MPParliament of NorwayDahl, André Oktay MPHalleraker, Øyvind MPHenriksen, Per Rune MPMandt, Sonja MPOpheim, Torfinn MPParliament of PolandGórecki, Ryszard MPKozak, Zbigniew MPLitwinski, Arkadiusz MPPalys, Andrzej MPWziatek, Stanislaw MPParliament of Schleswig-HolsteinAmtsberg, Luise MPFunke, Kirstin MPHerbst, Niclas MPStrehlau, Ines MPVoss, Bernd MPParliament of SwedenBrodén, Anita MPBohlin, Sinikka MPGrönfeldt Bergman, Lisbeth MPSellén, Birgitta MP56 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStenberg, Maria MPVestlund, Börje MPParliament of the City of St PetersburgYagya, Vatanyar MPParliament of the Federal Republic of GermanyLietz, Matthias MPThönnes, Franz MPParliament of ÅlandAaltonen Carina MPGunell, Camilla MPEhn, Johan MPJansson, Gunnar MP, Vice presidentJansson, Harry MPJansson, Roger MPLindholm, Gun-Mari MP, Vice presidentLindström, Henry MPMattson, Åke MPNordlund, Roger MP, PresidentSjölund, Folke MPSundman, Danne MPNordberg, Mika MPThe State of Duma of the Federal Assemblyof the Russian FederationLeontiev, Georgy MPNikitin, Vladmir MPPivnenko, Valentina MPObserversArnold, Stewart Policy&Communication, Advisor, Eu-ropean ParliamentBergman, Mathias Secretary General, BSAGBriseid, Dag CBSSEhlers, Alexandra Baltic Sea Secretariat for Youth AffairsHellberg, Helge Baltic Sea Secretariat for Youth AffairsKrings, Thomas Deputy Secretery General,ALDEgroup in EPLehtinen, Karl-Johan NEFCOLuis, Merethe Norwegian Presidency of CBSSLundin, Jan CBSSMagnadóttir, Nanna CBSSRibiaciauskaite, Rimante Baltic Sea Secretariat for Youth AffairRöbbelen-Voigt, Katariina Researcher, Project Manager BSLNBaltic Sea Labour NetworkCooperation on Environment and Security 57Sjövall, Mikael Nordic Environment FinanceCorporationSundback, Barbro MP, Baltic Sea Forum, Parliament ofÅlandThiele, Jan Baltic Sea States Sub-RegionalCo-operationGuestsConway, Adam Ålands Natur och Miljö r.f.Eriksson, Viveka Head of government of ÅlandGrinkevich, Andrei Ambassador, BelarusGulyaeva, Ksenia Staff,CIS-IPAIremark, Ingrid Consul-GeneralKorotkova, Anna V. NDPHSKrotov, Mikhail Secretary General, CIS-IPALindbäck, Peter Governor, ÅlandMaciejowski, Marek NDPHSMauricio, Jeanette, The Åland Peace InstituteNikora, Evgeny MP,Chairman of Murmansk RegionalDumaOrda, Mikhail MP, BelarusPekkola, Tapio Nord StreamPerämaa, Mats Minister, Government of ÅlandPetterson, Bjarne Mayor, ÅlandShmatkova, Marina Advisor, Murmansk Regional DumaSeidenberger, Ulrich Dr, Deputy Head of Mission,The Embassy of GermanySjögren, Katrin Minister, Goverment of ÅlandThörnroos, Veronica Minister, Government of ÅlandWennström, Mikael Government of ÅlandVävare, Susanne Government of ÅlandSecretariatsAaltonen, Kristina Staff, Nordic CouncilAndreassen, Bjørn Staff, Parliament of NorwayBahr, Bodo Staff, Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernBostrup, Tina Staff, Nordic CouncilDakhova, Nadezda Staff, Federal Assembly of the RussianFederationEnckell, Liisa Staff, Parliament of FinlandEnestam, Jan-Erik Secretary General, Nordic CouncilFoerster, Tom Staff, BSLNFraser, Thomas Staff, Parliament of NorwayGrätz, Petra Staff, Parliament of Federal RepublicGermanyGutzeit, Gerald Staff, Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern58 19th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceHermann, Kathrin Staff, Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernHissa, Jaakko Staff, Parliament of FinlandHjelm, Eva Staff,Parliament of SwedenHolmström, Mats Staff, Nordic CouncilJansson, Johannes Staff, Nordic CouncilKjelgaard, Kamilla Staff, Parliament of DenmarkKoperski, Piotr Staff,Parliament of PolandKuzmina, Irina Staff , State Duma of the RussianFederationLaizane-Jurkane, Marika Staff, Head of Secretariat, BalticAssemblyLind, Dennis Staff, Nordic CouncilLozbinev, Vladimir Staff, Federal Assembly of the RussianFederationMalovec, Michal Staff, European ParliamentMyhre-Jensen, Kjell Staff, Parliament of NorwayPutnina, Ingrida Staff, Parliament of LatviaRongelep, Ene Staff, Parliament of EstoniaSandberg, Johanna Assistent to Christina GestrinSchmidt, Jürgen Staff, Baltic Sea ForumSchmidt Holländer, Jutta Staff, Parliament of Schleswig-HolsteinSeip, Marianne Staff, Parliament of NorwaySmekal, Eva Staff, Parliament of SwedenSørensen, Torkil Staff,Nordic CouncilSöderlund, Barbro Journalist, Parliament of FinlandTerekhovsky, Sergey Staff,Parliament of the city ofSt PetersburgTikkala, Terhi Staff, Secretary General of CentreGroupWagner, Reinhard Staff, Parliament of the Free andHanseatic City of HamburgBou-Said, Andrea Staff, Parliament of Federal Republicof GermanyYakhmenev, Petr Expert, The State Duma of theRussian FederationYagya, Said Staff, City of St PetersburgZilliacus, Patrick Staff, Parliament of FinlandBSPC SecretariatLindroos, Päivikki RapporteurWidberg, Jan Head of BSPC SecretariatSecretariat of the Parliament of ÅlandBolos, Dan MessengerEriksson, Roger MessengerEriksson, Sten InspectorEriksson, Susanne Secretary GeneralFalck, Maj SecretaryCooperation on Environment and Security 59Gammals, Anette SecretaryGrönvall, Hans MessengerJohansson, Ulla SecretaryNorén, Andréa AssistantNorring-Öman, Lilian LibraranSlotte, Niclas Secretary of DelegationWikstrand-Andersson, Marina SecretaryInterpretersAlmaas, Elena InterpreterFleischhacker, Karin InterpreterJakimowicz, Aleksander InterpreterJohnson, Catherine InterpreterKrasnowolski, Piotr InterpreterLarsen, Stein InterpreterPeerless, Aase InterpreterRepin, Aleksei InterpreterRösch, Antje InterpreterTchekhov, Alexandre InterpreterCooperation on Environment and SecurityText: Päivikki LindroosSpeeches can be found at www.bspc.netBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Secretariatc/o Nordic CouncilVed Stranden 18DK-1061 Copenhagen KPhone (+45) 33 96 04 00jw@norden.orgwww.bspc.netUS 2010:406