BSPC Annual Report 2012

March 2013Annual Report 2012Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)The 21st Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe 21st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (21st BSPC) was held in St Petersburg, 26-28 August 2012. The conference was attended by over 200 politicians, officials, experts and other guests. The overriding title for the 21st BSPC was “Energy, Ecology and Social Welfare”. The conference considered four main themes: Cross-border Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region; Energy Co-operation; Health of the Baltic Sea; and Health, Social Welfare and Economic Development.In spring 2012, the BSPC Standing Committee formulated a draft version of the conference resolution. After consideration in the Drafting Committee (comprising the Standing Committee), the resolution was adopted by consensus. The resolution contains a number of policy recommendations within the main themes of the conference. These recommendations are directed towards the governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU. The resolution emphasises, for example, that the parliamentary co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region promotes democratic, transparent and inclusive political processes, and practical results in people’s everyday lives. The close, pragmatic and productive co-operation with CBSS is lauded, and the resolution highlights the first Youth Parliament, which was held in Berlin in April 2012, as an event worth repeating. The resolution also reiterates BSPC’s support for HELCOM and the implementation of its Action Plan for the Baltic Sea (HELCOM BSAP). It emphasises that the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Northern Dimension must be coordinated with the North-West Russia Socio-Economic Development Strategy. There is also a call for a continual supply of resources to the CBSS and financial support to the SEBA project, which involves, for example, Kaliningrad. The resolution also expresses more specific and targeted recommendations on, for example, the status of the environment, energy co-operation, economy and energy efficiency, integrated maritime policy, labour market issues, and economic development.The conference elected Laine Randjärv, Estonia, Chair of the BSPC 2012-2013. Ryszard Gorecki, Poland, was elected Vice Chair 2012-2013, and Raimonds Vējonis, Latvia, was elected Deputy Vice Chair. The Conference also decided to grant observer status to Region Skåne. Documentation from the 21st BSPC is available at http://bspc.net/page/show/519.BSPC Standing CommitteeThe BSPC Standing Committee held the first meeting of the year in Copenhagen on 3 February. The meeting was attended by 13 parliamentarians, 18 officials, and a number of guests from CBSS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The Vice Chair of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials, Klaus Freiherr von Lepel, together with the Director-General of CBSS, Jan Lundin, presented a report on the work in CBSS and described the results achieved, future orientation, and priorities. They emphasised the benefit of a regular exchange and dialogue at all levels between CBSS and BSPC, and pointed out the mutually beneficial co-operation on issues such as trafficking in human beings, integrated maritime policy, energy efficiency and labour market. They reiterated the importance of synchronising the political priorities of CBSS and BSPC. The meeting also included presentations of the status of the work concerning the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and of the priorities of the Danish EU presidency. In the subsequent discussions in the Committee, topics included follow-up initiatives concerning the resolution from the 20th BSPC in 2011, the BSPC working programme for 2012, the structure and programme for the 21st BSPC in St Petersburg 2012, and BSPC budget and financing issues. The financial report for 2011 was approved, as was the budget proposal for 2012. The meeting also took up the issue of observer status for Belarus in BSPC, but noted that the situation in Belarus had not changed since the Committee last discussed the issue, so consideration of the matter could not be justified.The Standing Committee’s second meeting was held in Svetlogorsk on 4-6 June. The meeting was attended by ten parliamentarians from BSPC, six guest parliamentarians from the State Duma and Federation Council of Russia, 20 officials, and a number of experts. The meeting began with a study tour to a wind power plant, the port of Kaliningrad, and the port of Baltijsk. Welcoming addresses were delivered by several representatives of Kaliningrad’s Regional Duma. The introductory discussion concerned the regional co-operation and the issues raised by the construction of the new nuclear power station in Kaliningrad. The status of the work relating to the 21st BSPC was considered, and a first draft of the conference resolution was also discussed. Participants agreed to invite a youth delegation to the 21st BSPC. The meeting also discussed a proposal from the Secretary about options concerning the surplus in the BSPC JFM Reserve Fund, and approved in principle that the Reserve Fund should be retained in the BSPC budget, where it can be used, for example, as extra financial support to implementation of the annual conference. The meeting also decided to support Region Skåne’s application for observer status in BSPC.The Standing Committee served as the Drafting Committee on two occasions in conjunction with the 21st BSPC.The BSPC Standing Committee held its third meeting on 26 August, the day before the opening of the 21st BSPC. Part of the meeting was devoted to making final adjustments to the practical arrangements and programme for the 21st BSPC. The meeting questioned the inclusion of Mikhail Orda from the Belarus Parliament in the Conference Programme at a very late stage and without consultation in the Standing Committee, and observed that this was not in line with the Committee’s earlier position concerning Belarus. Finally, it was agreed that Orda would not be allowed to speak at the conference. The meeting also decided to give a representative from the BSPC Youth Delegation a speaking slot during the introductory sub-session. The meeting unanimously elected Laine Randjärv Chair of the BSPC 2012-2013.The Standing Committee held its fourth meeting in Hamburg on 12 November. A welcoming address was given by Carola Veit, Speaker in the Parliament of Hamburg. Part of her speech highlighted Hamburg’s initiatives to promote green technologies and green growth. Presentations were then given about Hamburg’s transport system and its transition to new challenges and environmental requirements, and about a number of projects and initiatives to promote energy efficiency in construction of residential buildings. The meeting discussed measures, initiatives and ideas for following up the political recommendations in the resolution from the 21st BSPC. The BSPC Rapporteur for the labour market, Franz Thönnes, and the BSPC Observer in HELCOM, Christina Gestrin, gave status reports. The status of preparations for the 22nd BSPC in Pärnu 2013 was presented. A preliminary decision was made to launch a new working group in conjunction with the 22nd BSPC, with “Innovation” as a thematic umbrella. The meeting reconfirmed the election of Ryszard Górecki, Poland, to Vice Chair of BSPC 2012-2013, and of Raimonds Vējonis, Latvia, to Deputy Vice Chair for the same period.BSPC Secretary LevelThe BSPC Secretary Level meeting was held three times in 2012 (Berlin, Moscow and Krakow). Office facilities for the joint secretariat function – the BSPC Secretariat – continued to be provided in 2012 by the Nordic Council Secretariat in Copenhagen. From 1 January 2012, the BSPC Joint Financing Mechanism also includes remuneration to the BSPC Secretary. The responsibilities of the BSPC secretariat include preparing and formulating documents for, and following up, meetings of the Standing Committee, and administration, financial management, coordination and development of BSPC activities. The secretariat supports and participates in BSPC working groups, and also collaborates with and supports the host parliament for the year’s BSPC. In 2012, the Secretariat Meeting, in addition to the usual follow-up and preparation of meetings and activities, discussed a possible joint follow-up process for the conference resolution, and the role of the Rapporteurs in BSPC. One of the permanent items on the Secretariat Meeting agenda is the management and follow-up of the common budget for BSPC. The planning, management and reporting procedures of the joint resources have been further developed in 2012. All BSPC national member parliaments and all regional parliaments paid their contributions to the joint financing mechanism for 2012. A representative of the CBSS Secretariat participates regularly in the BSPC Secretariat Meeting.BSPC Working Group on Green Growth and Energy EfficiencyThe BSPC Working Group on Green Growth and Energy Efficiency was set up in 2011 and continued its work in 2012. The Chair of the working group is Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, Sweden. The primary task of the working group is to develop political standpoints and recommendations within its area of responsibility, which can be used for advocacy and to exert political pressure on governments and agencies. The group held its second, third and fourth meetings in 2012. An interim report was presented at the 21st BSPC 2012. The Working Group will present its final report at the 22nd BSPC in Pärnu 2013.BSPC-CBSSBSPC and CBSS enjoy regular and mutually beneficial co-operation at all levels and areas. The Vice Chair of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) during the German presidency of CBSS 2011-2012, Klaus Freiherr von Lepel, and the CBSS Director-General, Jan Lundin, participated in the BSPC Standing Committee meeting in Copenhagen on 3 February. They gave a report on status, priorities and strategic tasks for CBSS. The positive experience of the co-operation, not least on different issues and in working groups, was particularly emphasised. The BSPC Chair 2011-2012, Valentina Pivnenko, was invited to hold a welcoming address at the Baltic Sea States’ 9th summit in Stralsund on 31 May, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In her welcoming speech, Merkel emphasised the importance of the parliamentary dimension in the Baltic Sea co-operation, which plays an active role for the democratic legitimacy of the work. Pivnenko, who spoke directly after Merkel, praised the mutually-rewarding co-operation between CBSS and BSPC, and thanked the German presidency of CBSS for its constructive work in 2011-2012. She also emphasised the importance of supporting co-operation on modernisation and innovations, and promoting tolerance to prevent extremism. The co-operation on health and social welfare, and the unrelenting battle to combat organised crime, will make the Baltic Sea Region a safer and more secure home for its citizens. She also repeated the basic precondition that all countries in the region – EU and non-EU members – can co-operate on an equal footing. Sergey Petrovich of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chair of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials 2011-2012, participated with an introductory speech at the 21st BSPC. He praised the co-operation between CBSS and BSPC and said that regular co-operation and close coordination between the legislative and the executive powers facilitates the implementation of various measures that benefit the Baltic Sea Region and its citizens. In turn, CBSS was mentioned in very positive terms in many of the paragraphs in the resolution from the 21st BSPC. The secretariats of CBSS and BSPC have continual contact and exchange information.External activitiesBSPC was represented in a number of external activities and meetings in 2012. The BSPC observers in HELCOM participated in three HELCOM meetings in 2012, including the HELCOM Agricultural Forum in Copenhagen on 26 October. BSPC also participated in the Baltic Media Forum in Kiel on 7 February, in the 10th Southern Baltic Sea Parliamentary Forum in Kiel on 12-13 March, in the CBSS Baltic Sea Days in Berlin on 24-25 April, in Round Table discussions with the Nordic Council, the State Duma of Russia and PANWR in Helsinki on 15 May, in the European Maritime Days in Göteborg on 21-22 May, in the Forum for EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region together with the BDF Forum in Copenhagen on 19 June, in the Cleanship Conference in Riga on 20 September, in the Nordic Council’s 64th Session in Helsinki on 1 November, in the Baltic Assembly’s 31st session in Vilnius on 9 November, and in the 3rd International Conference on the Baltic Sea Strategy in Jurmala on 11 December. In April, the BSPC Secretary also participated in a meeting with the parliamentary dimension of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process, sharing experiences of the BSPC organisation, work and results in the Baltic Sea Region.In 2012, BSPC also participated actively as Associate Partner in the Baltic Sea Labour Forum (BSLF) project. This is an offshoot of the Baltic Sea Labour Network (2009-2011), which was a Flagship Project in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The aim of BSLF is to strengthen co-operation and dialogue between the social partners in the Baltic Sea Region. Franz Thönnes participated as BSPC representative in the BSLF Steering Committee, while the BSPC Secretary participated in the BSLN Facilitator Team. In 2012, BSPC participated in three Steering Committee meeting and three Facilitator Team meetings. BSPC also participated with a presentation at the BSLF Round Table meeting in Hamburg on 15 November.Nordic Council and BSPCIn 2012, the Nordic Council continued its active participation in the various BSPC organisations. The Nordic Council members of the BSPC Standing Committee in 2012 were Bertel Haarder and Torfinn Opheim. Christina Gestrin was one of the two BSPC observers in HELCOM, particularly on the matter of HELCOM’s Baltic Sea Action Plan.The members of the Nordic Council delegation to the 21st BSPC were active participants in the debates and as presenters. The Chair of the BSPC Working Group on Green Growth and Energy Efficiency, Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, gave a status report on the work of the group. The BSPC Rapporteurs on Trafficking in Human Beings (Johan Linander) and Integrated Maritime Policy (Roger Jansson, together with Jochen Schulte fro Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) talked about how their work was progressing. Christina Gestrin gave a report in her capacity of BSPC observer in HELCOM.In 2012, the Nordic Council continued to provide office facilities for the BSPC secretariat. The running costs of the BSPC secretariat function are financed via the BSPC Joint Financing Mechanism. From 1 January 2012, the Joint Financing Mechanism will also include remuneration of the BSPC Secretary. Information about the BSPC’s various sections and activities is available at www.bspc.net.BSPC WebsiteThe BSPC website is maintained and updated regularly (www.bspc.net).