Intervention at the 9th Baltic Sea States Summit 31 May 2012

Address by Ms Valentina Pivnenko, Chair of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), at the 9th Baltic Sea States Summit, Stralsund, 31 may 2012Madam Chancellor Merkel,Ministers,On behalf of the BSPC, I would like to express our gratitude for the invitation to participate in the 9th Baltic Sea States Summit. It is a great honour for me to bring to you greetings from the parliamentarians of the Baltic Sea Region and to congratulate you on the 20th anniversary of CBSS.The Baltic Sea parliamentary community marked its 20th anniversary last year at the annual conference held in Helsinki, where the BSPC chairmanship was taken over by the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.Although we represent different branches of power, the executive and the legislative, our both organisations shall fulfil a common task – serving our peoples. The Council of the Baltic Sea States has initiated and carried out comprehensive actions for the good of the entire Baltic Sea region and its people. The CBSS and the BSPC have been developing a long and productive relationship. We are grateful for the support that we received from the CBSS under the German chairmanship.In the recent twenty years, the Baltic Sea Region has become a region of peace, democracy, good neighbourly relations and cooperation. A transparent and comprehensive dialogue has been the integral element of this process. We look at the CBSS when setting our priorities and planning our activities.It is symbolic that during the 20th anniversary of the CBSS, the chairmanship is taken over by Russia, and Russia, for the first time during our cooperation, will hold both chairmanships in the Baltic Sea Region until the 21st BSPC in Saint-Petersburg this August.We will not just assure the continuity of further integration of the region but will also add new content to it. It is important to adhere to priorities when seeking a sustainable balance between future economic growth and the necessary concern for better living standard and well-being of the people. We thus consider it important to do the following: to promote cooperation in the field of modernisation and innovation, while prioritising growth clusters and subsequently forming a regional partnership in this area, particularly on environment and sustainable development; to create a public-private partnership network aimed at developing a Baltic PPP area as a sustainable growth platform with a regional direct investment fund and active educational involvement; to promote traditions of tolerance as a means to counter radical and extremist trends.Actions to address eutrophication of the sea and deterioration of the environment will provide for the preservation of the entire ecosystem. Enhanced cooperation around green economy, energy efficiency, nuclear safety and infrastructure is important to maintain competitiveness of the Region in a European and even global scale. Labour market integration on equal terms is an instrument of economic growth and social wellbeing. Cooperation in the field of education and research is indispensable to maintain the intellectual competitive edge of the region.Enhanced efforts to develop a marine strategy and marine safety will bring about environmental protection in the Baltic Sea Region and realize the potential of recreational and logistic resources. Cooperation in the field of health and social well-being will serve as a basis for social prosperity, which is a major prerequisite for democracy, popular involvement and economic growth. Combating crime and corruption will make the region a safer and more secure home. Developing tourism will help us embrace our common cultural heritage and foster our feeling of togetherness.It is important that all the strategies and programmes that are adopted in and for the Baltic Sea Region – such as the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan - are be followed by concrete actions by all the Governments of the Region.In order to further enhance the cohesion of the Region, we need more and easier mobility and less administrative and physical obstacles - such as visa restrictions - to be able to provide for free movement of people and capital. This is of particular value for those border areas with solid ties of a common economy, geography and even common families.With reference to the priority of developing an integrated labour market, I would like to inform you that the first meeting of the Enlarged Steering Committee (ESC) of the Baltic Sea Labour Forum (BSLF) was held five weeks ago, chaired by my good colleague Mr Franz Thönnes from the Bundestag, and also member of the BSPC Standing Committee. The core aim of the BSLF is to promote social dialogue, tripartite structures and cooperation as crucial elements of sustainable economic growth and social development in the Baltic Sea Region. The BSPC will stay committed to the Forum and support its political initiatives. We know that the CBSS is actively promoting this important undertaking.Finally, I would like to underline once more that all stakeholders of the Baltic Sea Region can cooperate to meet the regional challenges. No efficient solution of any of the acute problems facing the region is to be reached if some of the participants of the region are not involved in the decision making, in providing resources and in carrying out the plans. All the countries of the region, both EU members and non-EU members should have access to cooperation on the equal basis. The future development of the Baltic Sea region is our common cause.Chairman, the next Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference - the 21st such conference since 1991 - will take place in Saint-Petersburg on 26-28 August this year. As always, the CBSS is invited to the Conference. We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for your attention.