Intervention at the CBSS 16th Ministerial meeting in Oslo 7 June 2011

[pic]Intervention by Ms Christina Gestrin, MP, Chair of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), at the 16th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Oslo, 7 June 2011Chairman of the CBSS,Ministers,Ladies and Gentlemen,On behalf of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, I would first of all like to express our great appreciation for being invited to address the CBSS Ministerial as well as Summit meetings. In our opinion, CBSS is a central initiator and driver for actions to manage the challenges of the Baltic Sea Region. Last year, the 8th Baltic Sea States Summit adopted the “Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2020”. Sustained and committed efforts to turn the vision into reality will be a key factor for the further development of the Baltic Sea Region.The relation between BSPC and CBSS has evolved into a pragmatic, constructive and mutually beneficial interaction. We aim at coordinating our political priorities with those of the CBSS. A case in point is the close and productive cooperation between the BSPC and CBSS working groups on trafficking in human beings and on integrated maritime policy.Undoubtedly, a great deal is being done to help the Baltic Sea recover and to promote prosperity and welfare in the Baltic Sea Region. The challenges in the Region are, however, persistent. Let me just pick three examples.The growing volumes of maritime oil transports underline the necessity of having a high level of regional preparedness for emergencies, as well as sufficient and available equipment for dealing with major oil spills at sea.Moreover, strong measures are needed to improve safety of navigation and environmental risk reduction in the Baltic Sea, for example by harmonizing and elaborating existing ship reporting systems and vessel traffic services in the Baltic Sea.An expansion of nuclear power generation, in spite of the recent German decision to phase out its nuclear power by 2022, places a great responsibility on the governments to set up extremely stringent conditions and regulations for operation as well as storage and processing of spent fuel. But this, in turn, also provide opportunities to intensify efforts to promote the development of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and green technologies. These fields hold great potentials for stimulating growth and strengthening the competitiveness of the Region.The Baltic Sea Region accommodates a multitude of actions, policies and projects aimed at curing the Region’s illnesses and releasing its potentials. We should all strive for pragmatic modes of coordination and cooperation in order to avoid duplication and boost the collective impact of our efforts.But above all, it is fundamentally important to ensure that all stakeholders of the Region – from EU- as well as non-EU– countries – can cooperate on an equal footing. Any credible solution to any major challenge in the Region requires that all major stakeholders are on board. This is a basic tenet of both the CBSS and the BSPC.The next Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference will be our 20th Anniversary Conference. We will convene in Helsinki on 28 – 30 August under the overarching them “Green Growth for a Bluer Baltic Sea”. CBSS is invited to the Conference, and we look very much forward to meeting you there. Thank you for your attention.