Implementation of the 26th BSPC Resolution

27 BSPCYEARSBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStatements of the governmentsin the Baltic Sea Region to the26th BSPC Resolution.1. Åland2. Denmark3. Estonia4. Finland5. Germany6. Hamburg7. Latvia8. Lithuania9. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern10. Norway11. Poland12. Russia13. SwedenStatus: 11 August 2018Åland Page 3Document NoSidnr LETTER 185 Rk1a 1 (4)Date Dno27.3.2018 ÅLR 2018/877Ålands BSPC-delegation, Ålands lagtingContactMarcus ÅkerblomReferenceInofficial translation: Comments from the Government of Ålandregarding the BSPC Resolution of 2017 and information of whatthe government has done, alternatively intends to do in responseto the resolution.BackgroundThe BSPC resolution was adopted in September 2017 in Hamburg, Germany atthe annual Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC). January 26th 2018 theparliament of Åland forwarded the resolution for further action to the government.The purpose with the resolution is that governments around the Baltic Sea regionpay attention to the following subjects; various cooperations with other countriesaround the Baltic Sea, the digitalization of electoral participation, sustainability inthe tourism sector, and innovation and research.BSPC has chosen to emphasise several areas in the resolution. The subject areashave been divided into four categories or main headings. The response from theGovernment of Åland is based on these headlines and are explained below.Recommendations regarding cooperation in the regionThe Government of Åland supports the resolution and welcomes the adoption ofthe CBSS action plan "Realizing the Vision: The Baltic 2030 Action Plan".Hopefully this action plan can be a major support for realization of the UNAgenda 2030 in the Baltic Sea region. In 2016, the Government of Åland adopteda Development and Sustainability Agenda. The Development and SustainabilityAgenda for Åland (www.barkraft.ax) can only be realized if the Baltic Sea regionalso implement the UN Agenda 2030. One strategic target in the Development andSustainability agenda for Åland states that all water will have good quality by theyear of 2030.The Government of Åland supports and participates in HELCOM ́s work,including participating in HELCOM ́s ongoing work with the guidelines forsustainable aquaculture. The Government also works in accordance withHELCOM's action plan on marine litter. In the Governments Strategy of ReducingPostadress Telefon Telefax E-postPB 1060 (018) 25000 (018) 19155 registrator@regeringen.axAX-22111 MARIEHAMN, Åland URL www.regeringen.axTjänstebrev bör ställas till Ålands landskapsregering, inte till enskild tjänstemanÅland Page 42 (4)Plastic there are concrete proposals for action to reduce littering in aquaticenvironments, both macro- and micro litter. According to this background, theGovernment of Åland supports the aim of the resolution regarding strengtheningHELCOM as the coordinator for the regional implementation of the maritimeobjectives in the UN Agenda 2030.The Government of Åland will participate in and partly be in charge of twoenvironmental Interreg projects. These projects will focus on sustainable coastalzone planning considering eutrophication, climate adaptation and circulareconomy. The Government is trying to use new blue and green technologies for along-term sustainable development of coastal environment. The Government alsoseeks to increase people's awareness of and participation in preserving marineenvironments and the problems of climate change through local cooperation,seminars and study visits.The Government also participates in three different projects to improve thestandard for guest harbors in the archipelago and in the capital of Mariehamn. Atleast one of the projects includes guest harbors in Estonia, Finland and Sweden aswell. The aim of the projects is to increase safety, accessibility, digitalization andthe general standard in harbors. The projects take in to considerationenvironmental encouragement measures such as port reception facilities forsewage.The Government of Åland supports the resolution's aim regarding the vision thatthe Baltic Sea region evolves into the first eco-region in the world (paragraph 28of the resolution). For several years the Government has been cooperating withVisit Åland (official tourist organization), Ålands Natur & Miljö (the ÅlandSociety for Nature and Environment) and Ålands Näringsliv (The Åland Chamberof Commerce) with the program Sustainable Destination. Within the programthere is an ongoing proactive and long-term sustainability work with concreteactions by companies in the tourism sector. The program strives to ensure thatÅland becomes a fully sustainable destination.The Government of Åland also supports the resolution ́s aim regardingstrengthening the involvement of young people in all areas of society. Thatincludes BSPC ́s willingness to continue the work on establishing a Baltic Seaforum for young people (paragraph 7 of the resolution). The Government hasinitiated cooperation with both the Nordic Council of Ministers and the CBSS tosupport the ReGeneration 2030 initiative. ReGeneration 2030 brings togetheryoung people in Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland,Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Germany and Åland.ReGeneration 2030 is "a place where we young people and young adults have thepower to jointly discuss across state and regional borders through a platform for amovement that envisions what future we see, desire and want to realize". Therelease of the ReGeneration 2030 Summit will take place 18–20 August 2018, theweek before BSPC ́s 27th conference (in Åland, 26–28 August 2018).Recommendations regarding democratic participation and the digital ageThe Government of Åland has decided to make it possible to vote via the Internetin future elections. The introduction will take place in two stages. People of Ålandresiding outside the Åland Islands should be able to vote via the Internet in the2019 parliament election. In 2023 all voters will be able to vote via the Internet inboth the parliament elections and in the municipal elections. A new electoral lawwill be presented in 2018 where online voting is one of several ways of voting inÅland Page 53 (4)advance. Online voting significantly improves the possibilities of participating inthe elections especially for persons residing outside the Åland Islands. This canalso be an advantage for people with different kinds of disabilities. Thedigitalization of elections hopefully means increased civil participation andincreased democracy and will create good conditions for dialogue and activitywith modern methods.In 2016 the Government of Åland prepared a legislative proposal that was sent tothe Parliament of Åland regarding lowering the age limit for voting in municipalelections. The limit was proposed to be 16 years instead of the current 18 years.The proposal was approved by the Parliament in spring 2017. A lowering of thevoting age would help young people to get involved in political decision-makingand give them accountability. It would also stimulate their participation andintegration into society. Unfortunately, the proposal was not approved by thePresident of Finland in the legislative control. Statements had been requested bythe Delegation of Åland, which endorsed the proposal, and by the Supreme Court,which considered the proposal to be contrary to the Constitution. The Presidentbased the decision on the later opinion and ordered the proposal to become invalidto this part.Recommendations regarding sustainable tourismThe Government of Åland works toward a sustainable tourism sector on severaldifferent levels and through several different measures. A Tourism Strategy hasbeen adopted for the years 2012-2022. According to this strategy, the Governmentof Åland continuously works with these issues in different networks ofcooperation. The Tourism Strategy contains a chapter about sustainability but alsoaccessibility.SustainabilityAs a result of the work with the Tourism Strategy and the Development andSustainability Agenda, Åland became the first destination in Finland that joinedthe international environmental management system Green Key in 2014. GreenKey on Åland works in collaboration with Ålands Natur & Miljö (the ÅlandSociety for Nature and Environment), Visit Åland and the Government of Åland.Ålands Natur & Miljö is the head of Green Key for Åland.The aim is that 20 accommodations, 12 restaurants/cafés and three events joinGreen Key in 2018. One example of what the certification has accomplishedalready is within the tourism companies. They have become moreenvironmentally friendly. At the same time they have reduced their costs due toless resource waste. Another example is the Nordic Islands Adventure Race. Thisevent is currently being planned and will be the first of its kind to be certified. Itwill be a part of the Adventure Race World Series. The start will be fromStockholm across the Åland archipelago with the finish in Turku.The interest in Green Key is increasing all the time and more companies areexploring the opportunity to join. Beaches and guest harbors for leisure boats canjoin the Blue Flag system. Blue Flag is a completely new corporation and thegovernment expects that at least five guest harbors will join in 2018. The tourismindustry is also investing in an increasingly large range of local organic food tooffers their guests. The trend is that a company is not even allowed to make anoffer for a larger conference if it ́s not possible to show that the company isoffering a sustainable tourism product.Åland Page 64 (4)AccessibilityThe Government of Åland continuously cooperates with the Åland DisabilityAssociation and the tourism industry to focus on "Åland for all – accessibletourism". About 15% of the population in the Nordic countries have some form ofdisability. That makes this a large and growing market. Our ageing population canalso benefit greatly from accessibility adjustments.The Government of Åland works to ensure that both sustainability andaccessibility are considered in the criteria for obtaining investment aid forconstruction and renovation of tourist facilities. In 2015, an inventory was madeinvolving 45 different types of accommodation, museums, shops and conferencecenters. The inventory contained an action plan for each facility and several of thefacilities have now carried out or started these improvements.The event Åland for All was arranged in January 2017. Members from VisitÅland, Ålands Näringsliv (The Åland Chamber of Commerce) and variousdisability organizations together with politicians and ministers and people fromthe third sector were invited. 70 people participated and listened to speakers fromthe Nordic Welfare Centre and Scandic Hotel's availability ambassador.Hopefully, the event will lead to more companies working towards a moreaccessible community. Visit Åland ́s website contains information on whichfacilities are adapted for people with some form of disability.Minister Nina FellmanAdministrator Marcus ÅkerblomÅland Page 7Åland Page 8Åland Page 9Åland Page 10DenmarkDenmark Page 2Comments from the Danish government concerning the conference resolutionadopted by the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe Danish government welcomes the BSPC conference resolution and its recommendations.The government fully supports the strengthening of cooperation and dialog in the Baltic SeaRegion. Cooperation and dialog are important elements in securing stability in our region andbuilding trust between our countries.Concerning the conference resolution adopted by the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer-ence the Danish government has the following comments:(Rec. 1)The government fully agrees with recommendation 1. It is positive and necessary witha continued political dialogue in the Baltic Sea region, as it contributes to decrease tensionand build trust.(Rec. 2-3) On 6 March 2018 Ministers from HELCOM Countries as well as the EU EnvironmentCommissioner adopted a Ministerial Declaration, which reaffirms commitments of the con-tracting parties to implement the Baltic Sea Action Plan as the main guiding document forHELCOM action and which sets out the vision to achieve good environmental status in theBaltic Sea by 2021. Ministers also decided to give a mandate to HELCOM to update the BalticSea Action Plan with consideration to new issues not yet or partially tackled, such as marinelitter, underwater noise, nutrient recycling, and regional ocean governance. The update of theBaltic Sea Action Plan should also take into account the Sustainable Development Goals, witha 2030-perspective. Denmark will continue to engage actively in the HELCOM cooperation andsupport implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan as well as the elaboration of new ele-ments as outlined in the 2018-Ministerial Declaration.(Rec. 6-8) Denmark continuously work to further improve and develop means of democraticparticipation, through e.g. transparency, comprehensive information, government accounta-bility and other instruments of citizen participation. Especially regarding inclusion of youth inall areas of society.The Danish Government has established a new partnership for the future – the so-called Dis-ruption Council. The purpose of the Disruption Council is to create a forum to analyse, discussand offer suggestions for how to 1) Create a prosperous Denmark where we seize technolog-ical opportunities in a way that benefits all Danes. 2) Maintain and expand a dynamic and well-regulated labour market with an absence of social dumping.Denmark has launched a new initiative in the Danish Prime Minister’s Disruption Council todiscuss codes of conduct and promote this in a public/private partnership.(Rec. 9-13) Denmark recognize the benefit of a common dialogue on ethical aspects of digital-ization of states and societies, and the need for better regulation in the area. In this regard, it1Denmark Page 3is important to find the balance between protecting the citizens against e.g. hate speech andfake news, and at the same time protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of speech.The Danish government supports the sharing of best practices between the Baltic Sea States,in order to make the region a global frontrunner in the digital area.Furthermore, during the Estonian EU presidency, there was a strong focus on digitalization,which Denmark supported. Digital Europe and free movement of data were key priorities, to-gether with enhanced focus on promoting e-commerce, new innovative digital services, en-suring access to modern and secure electronic communications and promoting cross-bordere-Government-services in EU.In light of the increased use of digital solutions, resilience against cyberattacks and disinfor-mation has become vital. To enhance its resilience against influence campaigns Denmark haslaunched an inter-ministerial task force, and is drawing on experience from other countries,including the Baltic States. Ensuring a secure, free, open and peaceful cyberspace requireseffective cooperation at all levels, which is why Denmark supports cooperation in both the EUand among the Baltic Sea States. Denmark is currently preparing a new national strategy forcyber and information security, for the period 2018-2021. A strengthened cyber defence isalso part of the defence agreement for 2018-2023.(Rec. 14) The education system should provide all children and young people with the bestpossible conditions to learn, thrive and develop. At the same time, it is important that childrenand young people meet both women and men at their day-care facilities, school and in theeducation system, so that they have different role models. Digital development will acceleratemore rapidly in the future. Today, fewer women than men choose an education within scienceand IT. It is important that both women and men contribute to technological progress andhelp shape the future.Debate on gender-segregated education choices: The Minister for Equal Opportunities willfocus on how parents, educational institutions and young people can themselves help createa change in culture towards less gender-segregated education choices so that young womenconsider science and IT as an attractive choice of education and work areas.Focus on girls and understanding of technology: In collaboration with the Department for Gen-der Quality, the Ministry of Education will hold a conference on girls and understanding oftechnology to provide inspiration for promoting girls’ interest in technology. Following athree-year trial with a one-year optional subject in understanding technology, gender segre-gation will be part of the collection of experience in summer 2020. Internationally, work ongender will include collaboration under eTwinning, which is an educational community forEuropean schools, providing a platform and pedagogical development for schools and institu-tions. From the 2018/19 academic year, the Minister for Education will initiate a trial pro-gramme to enhance understanding of technology in compulsory programmes at municipalprimary and lower-secondary schools.2Denmark Page 4(Rec. 15) The Danish government has set up a commission on free speech, mandated to ex-amine the conditions for free speech, including which comments can be shared on e.g socialmedia and the impact of “fake news” on democratic debate.Denmark believes that we need to maximize benefits while also minimizing the accompanyingnew risks of digitalization. In order not to curb digital innovation and growth with overregula-tion Denmark argues for a “light but right touch approach” to regulation. This requires techcompanies to take more voluntary responsibility on issues such as data ethics, privacy, disin-formation/fake news, cyber security, online terrorism etc. In recognition that the challengesnecessitates a formal diplomatic platform in order to engage in dialogue and collaboration ona broad range of topics with the tech-industry the Danish government in 2017 decided to des-ignate digitalization and technological development as a strategic priority for Danish foreignpolicy. In September 2017, we appointed the world’s first Tech Ambassador with a global man-date.The government has launched the Technology Pact to work together with companies, educa-tional and research institutions etc. on skills for a more technological and digital future. Thechallenges for companies in recruiting employees with technical and digital skills today and incoming years must be resolved. The pact is inspired from the Netherlands, but is designed toDanish structures and also includes adult training.(Rec. 4, 16-27) The Danish government supports close, scientific cooperation across the BalticSea Region, both in terms of thematic areas of special importance to our region such as marineconditions of the Baltic Sea, and in relation to other non-BSR specific research themes, char-acterized by scientific excellence among our region’s researchers.The Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s Agency for Science and Higher Education (DAF-SHE) is and has been a project partner in the Baltic Science Network (BSN) – referred specifi-cally to in recommendation no. 17, since the start of the network in 2016. As part of its BSN-commitment, DAFSHE has hosted a series of workshops in 2016 and 2017 for national andtransnational stakeholders, and DAFSHE published the BSN working paper on “Challenges andbarriers to research cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region” in March 2017. According to theInterreg project contract, the Baltic Science Network will expire in March 2019. It is a possibil-ity, for those partners that may be interested, to continue the network hereafter. DAFSHEdoes not currently plan to continue as partner in the network in an extended version. The finaldecision will be taken with reference to an evaluation of the added value of the network, thelevel of concrete interest from Danish stakeholders in the research community, and theamount of resources required and available for active participation.More generally, the government recognizes that improving scientific cooperation within theBaltic region is important – and Denmark continues to support the message formulated at theCBSS Science Ministers’ Conference in 2016, as referred to in recommendation no. 4. How-ever, Denmark is of the opinion that BSR-wide scientific cooperation and mobility is and should3Denmark Page 5be primarily facilitated via the European Union’s framework programme and its related pro-grammes, such as BONUS and the tentative BONUS II programme (mentioned in recommen-dation no. 24, which the government supports). These provides high, concrete added valuefor our region’s stakeholders and our region-wide cooperation, both in terms of financing andmobility instruments. The challenges of our region are the challenges of Europe, and will in-deed profit from being addressed in a larger, European context.(Rec. 28) Denmark is the Policy Area Coordinator of the Policy Area for Clean Shipping and thePolicy Area for Maritime Safety, under EU’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). AsPolicy Area Coordinator for the Policy Area for Clean Shipping, Denmark is continuously con-tributing to the aim of making the Baltic Sea region a “model of region for clean shipping”.Through this objective, Denmark is also supporting the vision of item number 28 in the 26thresolution of the BSPC, which aims at making the Baltic Sea region the first eco-region in theworld. Under the Priority Area for Clean Shipping, two Flagship Projects are working towardsa better enforcement of regulations for sulphur emissions and the limitation of emission fromships.(Rec. 29) On basis of IMO-regulation, Denmark has introduced new regulations for cruise shipswastewater treatment. The regulations forces the cruise ships to either clean the wastewaterbefore discharging or use port reception facilities for discharging. The regulation will enterinto force for new ships in 2019 and for existing ships in 2021. The Ministry of Environmentand Food of Denmark regulates the area.(Rec. 31) With regards to promoting wastewater facilities in harbours in the Baltic Sea Region,Denmark is actively engaged in the current revision of the EU Port Reception Facilities Di-rective, in an effort to strengthen the framework for improving facilities for the delivery ofwaste and wastewater from ships.(Rec. 31-32) Two of the three focus areas in the Policy Area for Clean Shipping is to “developshore side facilities to foster clean shipping measures”, including “wastewater facilities” andto make infrastructure for alternative fuels in the Baltic Sea Region”, including LNG (LiquefiedNatural Gas). Thus, in our role as Policy Area Coordinator for Clean Shipping, Denmark is con-tinuously contributing to the improvement of a clean Baltic Sea. This effort is done in closecooperation with other countries around the Baltic Sea Region.(Rec. 5, 30, 33-40) The Danish Government supports the Baltic Sea tourism including collabo-ration on sustainable tourism. Denmark primarily coordinates activities through the Nordicand European tourism collaboration. VisitDenmark and Danish tourism partners regularly par-ticipate in the annual Baltic Sea Tourism Forum. Furthermore, VisitDenmark is a partner in theBaltic Sea Tourism Steering Group, which meet twice a year to discuss issues with relation tothe EU Baltic Sea Strategy (Priority Area Tourism). VisitDenmark is supporting the establish-ment of a Baltic Sea Tourism Centre in order to create a permanent platform for collectingand sharing relevant tourism information about the development of tourism in the Baltic Searegion.4EstoniaEstonia Page 2ESTONIA23 March 2018Estonian answers regarding the Implementation of the Resolutionof the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMinistry of Foreign AffairsRegarding cooperation in the Region1. In discussions taking place in different regional cooperation formats Estonia supports followingprinciples: division of labor, cooperation, avoidance of duplication. At current moment CBSSprepares to discuss its vision for period after 2020 and EUSBSR will soon start revision of itsAction Plan. During both processes Estonia attaches importance also to other regional cooperationformats. EUSBSR works with neighbours through HA Capacity. Estonia is currently Chair of theNC group and is going to host the 2018 EUSBSR Annual Forum which traditionally contributed tothe cooperation of different formats and finding new areas and partners for projects.Ministry of EnvironmentRegarding co-operation in the Region2. While preparing for the United Nations SDG14 conference the HELCOM initiated a specialpreparatory work, which highlighted the joint commitment of the Baltic Sea countries for meetingthe goals of the Agenda 2030 SDG14. An overview of this is available athttp://helcom.fi/Lists/Publications/BSEP150.pdf. Currently, there are preparations going on(initiated by Estonia) to organize a meeting at the United Nations to present HELCOM as theregional coordinator for implementation of the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agendaas well as its activities and experiences in maritime environment safety. The link with Agenda2030 goals should be taken into account in the updating process of BSAP.3. Concerning underwater noise the measuring activities will be continued. The HELCOMMinisterial meeting on 6 March 2018 decided to elaborate regional and national actions to limit theimpacts of underwater noise on sensitive marine species.The implementation of measures to eliminate marine litter remains a high priority. The Baltic Seacountries will have meetings at regional level and will coordinate their actions while implementingthe Action Plan on the Marine Litter.To control and manage the eutrophication the HELCOM will adhere to the 2013 MinisterialDeclaration and will make efforts to reduce the nutrient inputs (nitrogen and phosphorus) formHELCOM countries further.Regarding Sustainable Tourism31. The vessel waste and sewage reception remains important question in the sustainable tourismarea. In addition to the resolution the International Maritime Organization adopted in 2016establishing the Baltic Sea as Special Area for sewage, the EU directive on port reception facilitiesfor the delivery of waste from ships is currently under review. To correspond to the newrequirements the construction works of a modernized vessel waste and sewage reception systemwere completed in 2017 at Port of Tallinn.Ministry of Education and ResearchRegional cooperation4. 2017 was an important milestone for Estonia as well as for the Ministry of Education andResearch as we were holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. We werefocusing on four priorities: an open and innovative European economy; a safe and secure Europe; a1Estonia Page 3digital Europe and the free movement of data; and an inclusive and sustainable Europe. Ineducation field we emphasized the importance of modernising education (changing role of learningand teaching), relationship between education and working life (graduate tracking), the New SkillsAgenda and revision of Europass’ decision. In research and innovation, the focus lied on topics likebroad impact and value of European research, simplifying the EU research and innovation fundinglandscape, and an outcome of the Council Conclusions on the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020and future orientations for the next Framework Programme.Considering the status of Presidency, we had to remain neutral also in different regional policyactivities not to advance our own interests. Nevertheless, during the annual Meeting of the BalticMinisters of Education and Research held on 8-9 June 2017 in Cesis, Estonia initiated a discussionon how the new period of the Norwegian/EEA grants could be used to support Baltic researchcooperation and joint participation in ERA NETs. The initiative called Baltic ResearchProgramme is going to support regional research cooperation and focus on the Baltic-Nordic addedvalue.Innovative Science and Research16.-18. Estonian Ministry of Education and Research also continued an active participation in thecollaboration project called Baltic Science Network (INTERREG Baltic Sea Regionprogramme) which was launched in March 2016 and lasts for 3 years. On 16 November 2017, theBSN transnational seminar “New Tools for Spreading Excellence and Widening Participationin Research and Innovation Programmes” was organized in Tallinn. The aim of the seminar wasto get input for policy measures which would help to increase participation of moderate innovatorsin research and innovation initiatives in the European Research Area. The Baltic Sea Region (BSR)is considered as a test-bed to develop and implement innovative measures aimed at tackling theparticipation gap and widening participation in collaborative research and innovation programmes(at EU and regional level), as well as exploiting the region’s full innovation and scientific potential.BSN is a policy network consisting of relevant transnational, national and regional policy actorsfrom the BSR countries. The Network is a springboard for targeted multilateral activities in theframe of research and innovation excellence, mobility of scientists and expanded participation. Thefocus is on establishing a policy coordination framework for joint BSR higher education, science &research policy. The project also strengthens the joint ownership shared by the regions and memberstates in the field of science policy within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).Implementation of BONUS, the joint Baltic Sea research and development programme for years2010-2017, started to increase the success rate of the BSR projects submitted for the Horizon 2020,as well as to encourage cooperation and raise the quality of projects among the BSR researchers.BONUS is also an associated member of the Baltic Science Network (http://www.baltic-science.org/index.php/contacts/associate-organisations). Estonia is of position to support theBONUS successor programme as it clearly has an added value.Aiming to develop even closer cooperation between the Baltic higher education and researchinstitutions and to promote academic mobility, the Ministries of Education and Research/Science ofEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania have prepared a draft of “Agreement among the Government of theRepublic of Lithuania, the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of theRepublic Latvia on Automatic Academic Recognition of Qualifications Concerning HigherEducation”. Currently, each party is working on approximation procedures after which theauthorization for signing the agreement will be asked for the Ministers of Education andResearch/Science.Estonian Ministry of Education and Research together with other relevant Ministries in the BSR iscontinuously committed to develop the cooperation towards building a common higher educationand science area to boost the research excellence, innovations, investment and overallcompetitiveness of the region.2Estonia Page 4Ministry of Economics and CommunicationsRegarding Cooperation in the Region5. We do not currently see any obstacles to cross-border travelling around the Baltic Sea region.Facilitation of border and visa regimes is carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and theMinistry of Foreign Affairs within existing regulations and agreements. We do not currentlyforesee a separate common program for young people and organized tourist groups. The Schengenarea covers almost all the countries around the Baltic Sea.The idea of creating a common Baltic Sea Brand has been discussed in the framework of the BalticSea Region States cooperation in the BSR Policy Area Tourism Steering Group. At this stage theidea needs to be further developed and clarified among the Baltic Sea countries, as there is no clearvision of how this brand could best represent all Baltic Sea region destinations. We do notparticularly support the idea of a common Baltic Sea Brand because visitors are not interested in aBaltic Sea as a travel destination. They are more interested in different smaller regions or countries(cities) located around the Baltic Sea.Regarding Sustainable Tourism28. Baltic Sea Region can hardly be considered as the first eco-region in the world. Many othereco-regions are already in place. However, different initiatives and cooperation projects arecurrently underway to promote such cooperation between the Baltic Sea Region countries. Thepresent European Year of Cultural Heritage will certainly assist in promoting sustainable societiesand culture also in the Baltic Sea Region.29. Sustainability is one of the guiding principles in the present national tourism strategy and it isvery likely to continue to play even more important role in the planning for the next period tourismdevelopment.Nature, its preservation and conservation is an important element in the image and destinationpromotion of Estonia and sustainability should always be a guiding principle and standard practicein all types of tourism. However, countries also need to adopt sustainable policies in other sectorsof the economy (e.g. forestry) which for example create important preconditions for developingsustainable nature tourism.30. Tourism products should have a high quality level and follow sustainability principles at thesame time. We support raising awareness in the tourism sector and on how to lower their carbonfootprint, as well as save on important natural resources such as water. We do not foresee a needfor another new common label or standardization. Estonian national tourism strategy action plancurrently supports the Green Key label as already internationally recognized label for tourismenterprises and a local label (EHE- Genuine and interesting Estonia), as a recognized ecotourismquality label for Estonian tourism products.32. Inter-modality of various modes of transportation is an important area of development.Improvement of infrastructure for cycling in connection with all the existing and future modes oftransport is considered in Estonian tourism and local community infrastructure development. Forexample investments have been made into developing special parking places for cycles at railwaystations, new bicycle routes connecting towns and the surrounding areas etc.33. Different measures for further increasing the level of sustainability will be considered inplanning the long-term Estonian national transport strategy.34. The issue of shortage of skilled workers will likely not be counteracted by a winter school onlybut needs both political decisions and relevant measures in the education and training system aswell as continuous training provided. Different hospitality and tourism schools in various BalticSea Region countries currently provide regular trainings to increase language and interculturalskills. We support the development of cooperation between these schools and programs in tacklingthe shortage of skills needed.3Estonia Page 536. Successful cooperation between the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania hasalready been established (Baltic Connecting http://www.balticconnecting.com/en/ ) and suchcooperation could be extended further to the Baltic Sea Region. The aim of the internationaltourism event Baltic Connecting is to inform foreign travel trade professionals about tourismopportunities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. During the event, guests will be acquainted with thetourism offers and services in the region, as well as given the opportunity to meet with potentialcooperation partners in the Baltic States and establish new contacts. Baltic Connecting will focuson the growing significance of long-haul markets, inviting to the Baltic States travel tradeprofessionals from Japan, USA, China and South Korea.37. We acknowledge the progress achieved in the establishment of the Baltic Sea Tourism Centreby contributing to its strategy development process and profile development. This could add valueto improving the competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region tourism, especially in regard toincreasing visibility of the region as an attractive tourist destination in the future.38. Restoring, preserving and maintaining of natural landscapes is an important element ofEstonian nature protection and also tourism development. Protected areas like national parks,nature reserves and other types of areas like UNESCO Biosphere reserves provide a rich culturaland natural environment for tourism development and their importance is highly recognized. Morecould still be done in terms of tourism activities actively contributing to nature conservation in theBaltic Sea Region and to the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage.39. Estonia currently supports the tourism companies in adopting new business models so that theycan promote and sustain their competitiveness and adapt in the changing market.Raising the quality of tourism companies should be the aim for the countries around the Baltic Seathat need to do that so that the experiences of tourists visiting this region would get the highestpossible level of service and at the same time raise the skills of the workers in the industry todevelop it.40. We acknowledge the need to evaluate how local communities and citizens perceive tourismdevelopment in their regions and countries, especially taking into account the growing number oftourists in most popular destinations and the emerging issue of overtourism in many Europeancountries.4FinlandFinland Page 2YMPÄRISTÖMINISTERIÖ (Ministry of the Environment)Sanni Turunen 16.2.2018YMPÄRISTÖMINISTERIÖ (Ministry of the Environment)Sanni Turunen 16.2.2018Implementation of the Resolution of the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Hamburg, 3-5September 2017Implementation of the Resolution of the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Hamburg, 3-5Regarding Cooperation in the Region, toSeptember 20171. intensify the cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region including the Northern Dimension, the EU Strategy forthe Baltic Sea Region and the Strategy for the socio-economic development of the North-West FederalRegarding Cooperation in the Region, todistrict of Russia in addition to other regional actors by identifying common priorities and developing1. intensify the cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region including the Northern Dimension, the EU Strategy forrespective regional strategies and action plans in fields of common interest and mutual benefits. Sincethe Baltic Sea Region and the Strategy for the socio-economic development of the North-West Federalmacro-regional strategies gather stakeholders and actors from all sectors and levels of governance,district of Russia in addition to other regional actors by identifying common priorities and developingmacro-regional strategies offer efficient instruments to improve relations between neighbouringrespective regional strategies and action plans in fields of common interest and mutual benefits. Sincecountries and thereby support European Neighbourhood Policy;macro-regional strategies gather stakeholders and actors from all sectors and levels of governance,macro-regional strategies offer efficient instruments to improve relations between neighbouringFinland has continued to support the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP), whichcountries and thereby support European Neighbourhood Policy;decided 2017 to develop project proposals for small-scale environmental projects with people-to-peopledimension and cross-border impact in the north-west Russia.Finland has continued to support the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP), whichdecided 2017 to develop project proposals for small-scale environmental projects with people-to-peopleMinistry of the Environment of Finland has continued to coordinate the EUSBSR policy area Nutri to reducedimension and cross-border impact in the north-west Russia.nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea and to tackle eutrophication through strategic flagship projects, such asNutriTrade, IWAMA, Baltic Blue Growth, CONSUME and BEST.Ministry of the Environment of Finland has continued to coordinate the EUSBSR policy area Nutri to reducenutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea and to tackle eutrophication through strategic flagship projects, such asNutriTrade, IWAMA, Baltic Blue Growth, CONSUME and BEST.2. further strengthen and develop HELCOM as the coordinator of the regional implementation of ocean-related goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations, through thestrengthened implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and further commitment to achieve2. further strengthen and develop HELCOM as the coordinator of the regional implementation of ocean-a Baltic Sea in good environmental status by 2021 and if applicable, by renewing the Baltic Sea Action Planrelated goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations, through thein line with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda with a time perspective until 2030;strengthened implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and further commitment to achieveaFi Bnlaaltnidc Sheaas ibne geono adc etinvvei rionn smupepnotarlt isntga tHusE LbCyO 2M02’s1 satnredn igf tahpepnleicda brolele, biny rreengeiownianlg i mthpel eBmaletinct Saetiao nA cotfio onc Pealann-in line with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda with a time perspective until 2030;related goals of the Agenda2030. HELCOM in its high-level meeting of 3/2017 agreed on HELCOM’s activerole in supporting implementation of sea and marine environment related SDGs of Agenda2030. ThisFinland has been active in supporting HELCOM’s strengthened role in regional implementation of ocean-included the publishing of a report “Measuring progress for the same targets in the Baltic Sea” availablerelated goals of the Agenda2030. HELCOM in its high-level meeting of 3/2017 agreed on HELCOM’s activeat www.helcom.fi. In June 2017, HELCOM based on its work made voluntary commitments at the SDG14role in supporting implementation of sea and marine environment related SDGs of Agenda2030. ThisThe Ocean Conference in New York. Almost 70 % of the actions contained in the Baltic Sea Action Planincluded the publishing of a report “Measuring progress for the same targets in the Baltic Sea” availablehave been implemented. Finland as incoming Chair of HELCOM for 2018-2020 has been active in pavingat www.helcom.fi. In June 2017, HELCOM based on its work made voluntary commitments at the SDG14the way for updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, starting from the Ministerial Meeting of HELCOM inThe Ocean Conference in New York. Almost 70 % of the actions contained in the Baltic Sea Action Plan3/2018.have been implemented. Finland as incoming Chair of HELCOM for 2018-2020 has been active in pavingthe way for updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, starting from the Ministerial Meeting of HELCOM in3/2018.3. support HELCOM in elaborating a regional action plan on underwater noise as well as in implementing themarine litter regional action plan and in its battle against eutrophication; concrete measures to reducethe input of plastics into the marine environment should be taken on;3. support HELCOM in elaborating a regional action plan on underwater noise as well as in implementing themarine litter regional action plan and in its battle against eutrophication; concrete measures to reduceFinland implements HELCOM’s regional Marine Litter Action Plan with activities such as national survey onthe input of plastics into the marine environment should be taken on;the state and sources of marine litter 2017-2018, 100 ideas for preventing and reducing marine litter inFinland -campaign, designing targets and a roadmap for marine litter in Finland and launching aFinland implements HELCOM’s regional Marine Litter Action Plan with activities such as national survey oncase/pilot study on microplastics in storm waters in 2018-2019. Finland has also taken action to reducethe state and sources of marine litter 2017-2018, 100 ideas for preventing and reducing marine litter inthe use of plastic bags trough a Green deal and voluntary action by shops. Finnish River BasinFinland -campaign, designing targets and a roadmap for marine litter in Finland and launching aManagement Plans 2016-2021 of the Water Framework Directive contain about 3500 measures andcase/pilot study on microplastics in storm waters in 2018-2019. Finland has also taken action to reduceactions, most of them targeting nutrient loads, and are currently being implemented. Additionally, athe use of plastic bags trough a Green deal and voluntary action by shops. Finnish River Basinnumber of other measures under the Finnish Marine Strategy, such as a pilot project on spreading ofManagement Plans 2016-2021 of the Water Framework Directive contain about 3500 measures andgypsum to prevent losses of phosphorus from agricultural land, were implemented in 2017.actions, most of them targeting nutrient loads, and are currently being implemented. Additionally, anumber of other measures under the Finnish Marine Strategy, such as a pilot project on spreading ofgypsum to prevent losses of phosphorus from agricultural land, were implemented in 2017.Finland Page 3Regarding Innovative Science and Research, to16. intensify scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region qualitatively and quantitatively and therefore• promote the development of more credible projections of the future of the Baltic Sea, based on thebest basic marine research as well as the most plausible socioeconomic development scenarios andassociated alterations in human pressures, and the complex impacts of climate change on theecosystem,• promote the delivery of new comprehensive knowledge on true long-term effects of various humanpressures on all organizational levels - from genes to an ecosystem, as well as suggestions on ways tomitigate these effects,• provide a scientific foundation for innovative cross-border policy making, including potentialinternalization of the costs of marine ecosystem services into the economic system;Finland lead and actively took part at expert level in assessing the status and pressures of the Baltic Sea,including socio-economic aspects related to the status of the Baltic Sea in HELCOM. As a result, HELCOMHOLAS II report’s first version was released for comments in summer 2017. The report provides anoverview and trends of various pressures affecting the Baltic Sea as well as an impact index that considershow the various pressures affect the status of the sea. Relationship between the Baltic Sea and climatechange will be one of the priorities of the Finnish Chairmanship in HELCOM in 2018-2020.Finland has been an active partner in Gulf of Finland Co-operation together with Estonia and Russia.During the Gulf of Finland Year 2014, a scientific research programme was carried out and acomprehensive trilateral assessment of the state of the Gulf of Finland was compiled within the frames ofit.20. further improve the conditions of the Baltic Sea Region in global scientific competition through jointstrengthened efforts by increased investments in innovative science and research;Finland has supported and participated in numerous Interreg, Life and BONUS projects.Ministry of the Environment of Finland has supported tens of R&D projects in 2012-2018 under theProgramme to promote the recycling of nutrients and improve the ecological status of the ArchipelagoSea. The projects have included modelling, water protection and nutrient recycling in agriculture andwater bodies, treatment of manure, sludge and biowaste and enhancing wastewater treatment.Additionally, some of the Finnish Government’s key projects have introduced and/or tested new methodsand materials for managing stormwater wastewater as well as riparian and agricultural runoff, with theultimate aim of reducing the load of nutrients and hazardous substances to the Baltic Sea. Cities,municipalities, wastewater treatment plants, as well as farmers, have for example built and testedfiltering systems that use new bio-based materials and restored wetlands for this purpose.Regarding Sustainable Tourism, to38. sustain a sound environment, safeguarding the recreational quality of natural and man-made landscapesand integrating natural, cultural and human environments within the BSR so that tourism activities do notendanger the natural and cultural heritage of the BSR and instead actively contribute to theirpreservation;Parks & Wildlife Finland has established a set of principles that are intended to guide the sustainabletourism operations in all national parks, nature sites and historical sites managed by Parks & WildlifeFinland. These principles are implemented also in all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland. Eachprinciple is followed by more detailed objectives helping in implementing the principles in practice.http://www.metsa.fi/web/en/sustainablenaturetourismFinland Page 4Implementation of the Resolution of the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceMinistry for Foreign Affairs of Finland/Erja TikkaFinland adopts New Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region“A healthy Baltic Sea with its vital marine life is a well safeguarded and sustainably-used resource. TheBaltic Sea Region actively develops its know-how and uses its resources as a pioneer of sustainabledevelopment. The Baltic Sea Region is stable and safe.Finland works actively to make the Baltic Sea Region a global leader in the bio economy and thecircular economy; well-connected, innovative, competitive and at the cutting edge of utilizing newtechnologies and a producer of model solutions for safe and clean shipping, maritime industry, andsustainable use of the marine ecosystem. “This is the Finnish Government ́s vision for the future of the Baltic Sea Region in a new strategy adopted0n 2 November 2017. The document was drafted inclusively, consulting stakeholders like regions,business and research organisations and NGOs. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä calls it whole Finland ́sstrategy, to be implemented jointly. Finland wants to boost its role in the Baltic Sea cooperation, hesaid.The strategy sets goals for Baltic Sea cooperation, for EU-policies in the region and for Finland ́s ownpolicies and measures to improve the environmental status of the sea and increase the region ́s securityand prosperity in a sustainable manner.Saving the sea, the climate change, urbanization and demographic changes, as well as pressures towardsEU-policies like the future funding of cohesion policy, are seen as the biggest challenges for the BalticSea Region. However, the BSR has many strengths like stable societies, high level of education, a longtradition of mutual cooperation, innovativeness and the ecosystem services provided by the sea. Thereare many networks, promising start ups and clean technological solutions. The vicinity of the Baltic tothe Arctic is also an advantage. By seizing its opportunities the BSR can truly become a global pioneer insustainable development.The strategic areas to be developed are blue growth, including the whole maritime sector and blue bioeconomy, the circular economy and the bio economy, connectivity, safety and security, innovations andcapacity, as well as joint global and EU impact with intensified regional cooperation.The good status of the sea is a prerequisite for blue growth where the Baltic Sea Region has a lot ofopportunities, tourism included. The bio- and the circular economy are true assets in a region with twothirds of EU forest resources and vast areas. They do not only create jobs and save raw materials buthelp to decrease both nutrient and carbon emissions. Promoting circular and bioeconomy, together withinnovative ways of reducing eutrophication and binding carbon to the soil must be included in thereform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. Managing material circles also reduces marine litter andFinland Page 5hazardous substances. There is also significant growth potential in the BSR in renewable energy sources,such as biomass, solar, geothermal, offshore wind and wave.For Finland good transport connections are vital. But developing them across and around the Baltic Sea,from west to east and north to south will bring prosperity to the whole region. As continuation to RailBaltica the potential Helsinki-Tallinn tunnel, as well as extending the railway connection to the ArcticOcean are chances worth to be examined. In the field of modern maritime industry, the Baltic Seaalready offers globally a testbed for autonomous shipping. Intelligent ships and land logistics will takeadvantage of digital information and new innovations in robotics, automation and energy technology.The Baltic Sea Region also serves as a node of telecommunication networks.The strategy refers to the deteriorated security situation in the BSR, but it does not deal with securitypolicy in detail, as this issue has recently been discussed in the Government ́s Report on Foreign andSecurity Policy. In this strategy the emphasis is on maritime and aviation safety, as well as civil securityand intensified cooperation between rescue and law enforcement authorities.The Baltic Sea Region offers a channel of internationalization and exports for SMEs. By clustering withothers in the region they can build service entities and capacity to enter world markets. An intensifiedcooperation between start up accelerators can strengthen the role of the BSR globally. A digital internalmarket within the BSR is also a feasible target while the rest of the EU moves behind. Increasing mobilityof students and researchers and the joint use of costly research infrastructure also help to keep the BSRon top of the world.Finland ́s strategy sets also goals for EU policies towards the Baltic Sea Region. It is necessary that theimplementation of the EU Strategy for the BSR is strongly supported by EU funding even in the future.The funding of transnational and cross border cooperation programs, as well as the integrated maritimepolicy of the EU must be continued. Backing up the Northern Dimension Policy, especially in fightingfatal climate threats like black carbon, is also called.The CBSS should return to political dialogue in the form of regular high level ministerials. The strategyalso supports updating the Baltic Sea Action Plan of HELCOM.Finland Page 6The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment/Marikki Järvinen (translation)The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment considers it very welcome that theparliamentarians are engaged in developing the Baltic Sea Region. However, therecommendations presented by the conference would require more than one year to be reachedand the monitoring of these steps once a year does not necessarily give a full picture of thecooperation and action that is implemented in the region.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has actively taken part in developing the regionby participating in different working groups and in forming and updating (2014) the EU Strategyfor the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The Ministry has also participated in updating Finland’sStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region.The Ministry supports regional cooperation and considers it as an important tool in supportingregional development and promoting welfare. New solutions and methods of work can be foundand existing resources can be combined to support the economic development and welfare in theBaltic Sea Region.The resolution of the 26th BSPC contains recommendations that are not entirely in thecompetence of the Ministry except for those concerning tourism, innovation, research andemployment.The essential tools for enhancing cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region are the structural fundsprogramme, the programmes for regional cooperation and ENI/CBC. They have been very fruitfulin Finland especially through financing cross-border cooperation. The Ministry of Economic Affairsand Employment represents the government as the head official in governing the programmes inFinland and thus is responsible for their implementation together with ELY Centres (The Centresfor Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) and regions. Funds are focused toprojects that work according to the goals set in the EUSBSR and the projects are monitored twice ayear and reported to the EU Commission. In this way the Ministry is monitoring how the funds arefocused in implementing the goals of EUSBSR.Regarding the structural funds programme, the main goal of EUSBSR is to increase prosperity andwelfare. The programme can be used for this goal by supporting entrepreneurs and internationalactivity and by investing in new innovations. Cleantech has risen to one of the new sectors ineconomy and it will strengthen the cooperation between business life and researchers in the BalticSea Region. With support from the structural funds programme, projects in the sector of research,development and innovation can develop eg. smart innovations for transport and energy.Especially in their case it is necessary to seek out partners from neighbouring states in the BalticSea Region.For implementation of the EUSBSR some vital programmes also include the programmes forEuropean Territorial Cooperation in Southern and Western Finland (Baltic Sea programme, Botnia-Atlantica and Central Baltic programmes), ENI-programme for Southeast Finland and Russia,programmes for European Territorial Cooperation in Eastern and Northern Finland (Baltic SeaFinland Page 7programme, Nord and Northern Periphery and Arctic programme) and ENI-programmes (Kolarctic,Karelia).Also the work in ESR will be taken in with implementing the EUSBSR. The officials governing theESR are seeking ways to enhance cooperation in accordance to the priorities of investment chosenby each member state. The officials of the ESR in the Baltic Sea Region can together eg. organisethematic calls for project applications.To reach the social goal of the EUSBSR, cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region can be strengthenedby education and especially in increasing cross-border cooperation between educationalinstitutions such as universities and schools for applied sciences. For youth there are possibilitiesfor cooperation in combining education and work and in developing actions needed in transfersituations on the path of education, especially regarding enrolling for secondary schools andmaking education more effective. Other possibilities in increasing cooperation in this field alsoinclude supporting mobility of students and workers, battling against poverty among differentethnic groups as well as several projects for education and learning by employment.GermanyGermany Page 2Germany Page 3Germany Page 4Germany Page 5Germany Page 6Germany Page 7Germany Page 8Germany Page 9Germany Page 10Germany Page 11Germany Page 12Germany Page 131Statement on the resolution adopted by the 26th BSPC 2017The Federal Government welcomes the resolution adopted by the 26th Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference (BSPC) in September 2017. The subjects raised in the resolution are also a high priority forthe Federal Government. Since 1991, the BSPC’s work has been strengthening a common identity forthe Baltic Sea region and promoting cooperation between state and non-state institutions, by fosteringbetter cooperation between the parliaments, governments and civil societies in the Baltic Sea region.The BSPC has thus provided important impetus for political activities and projects which significantlyadvance closer links in the Baltic Sea region in political, economic, social and environmental-policyterms. The resolution adopted in Hamburg shows that the BSPC is engaging with topical challengesaffecting the people of the Baltic Sea region, to which common responses need to be found. Theseinclude scientific and research innovations, democracy in the context of the continuing digitalisation ofsociety, or sustainable tourism.Regarding the Preamble and Cooperation in the Region:re-establish full-scale and comprehensive political dialogue in the Baltic Sea Region, inparticular within the Council of the Baltic Sea States, highlighting the importance of theForeign Ministers’ meeting on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the CBSS hosted bythe CBSS Icelandic Presidency in Reykjavik on 20 June 2017Twenty-five years after the establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), politicaldialogue in the Baltic Sea region is, given the Ukraine crisis which has been ongoing since 2014, anessential component of German cooperation with the Baltic Sea countries. The Federal Government ismaking greater use of the three pillars of its cooperation in the Baltic Sea region: the CBSS, the EUStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region, and the Northern Dimension. The Federal Foreign Office coordinatesthese bodies in Germany in close cooperation with the other Federal Ministries and the northernGerman Länder (federal states). Germany’s interest in the Baltic Sea region lies, in particular, incontinuing and strengthening political dialogue, in view of the deterioration of political relations withRussia. The loss of trust in Russia experienced by many CBSS members has severely strained the politicaldialogue in recent years. The Icelandic Presidency of the CBSS in 2016/2017 therefore regarded it as allthe more important to re-establish this dialogue at political level for the first time since 2013(Ministerial Session in Kaliningrad). The then Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel,attended the Ministerial Session in Reykjavik in June 2017.Restoring trust between all members of the CBSS is proving to be a very long and difficult process.However, the Federal Government is convinced that, in the long term, security and trust in the BalticSea region can primarily be achieved via political dialogue and practical cooperation with Russia. In thiscontext, the European policy line towards Russia must be maintained. The Baltic Sea region, which fordecades was disadvantaged in environmental and economic policy terms due to the dividing linebetween East and West, had a major opportunity, with the establishment of the CBSS in 1992 and ofother bodies for Baltic Sea cooperation, such as the BSPC, to address the important challenges in thisregion by strengthening political dialogue and constructive cooperation. These challenges still exist, andit is in our interest to further boost competitiveness in the Baltic Sea region, to solve the ecologicalproblems together, to close the infrastructure gaps, and to promote economic cohesion. In this context,the political priorities of the CBSS remain paramount: developing a common identity, fosteringprosperity, and ensuring safety and security in the interests of the people of the Baltic Sea region. BalticGermany Page 142Sea cooperation remains a long-term project for Germany’s Federal Government. In this spirit, involvingthe next generation at an early stage is an essential component of German foreign policy in order torestore the basis for trust and security in the Baltic Sea region.further strengthen and develop HELCOM as the coordinator of the regionalimplementation of ocean-related goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda ofthe United Nations [...]; support HELCOM in elaborating a regional action plan onunderwater noise as well as in implementing the marine litter regional action plan and inits battle against eutrophication; concrete measures to reduce the input of plastics intothe marine environment should be taken onThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) – met atministerial level in Brussels on 5 March 2018. The unanimously adopted Ministerial Declarationaddresses all issues relating to HELCOM raised in the BSPC resolution. HELCOM shares the BSPC’spolitical view of the importance of these issues. In this spirit, Germany played an active role in shapingthe resolution.The Federal Government routinely champions regional cooperation – besides HELCOM, it also supportsOSPAR, the 1992 Oslo-Paris sister convention for the protection of the marine environment of theNorth-East Atlantic, including the North Sea – because, especially from an increasingly globalperspective, and particularly with regard to SDG 14 (“Life Below Water”), regional coherence within thewider global picture is essential. Implementing the political principle of “think globally, actlocally/regionally” ensures that examples of best practice at regional level can be passed on to theglobal level, and global requirements can be implemented in a regionalised form, tailored to the regionin question.The brochure “Sustainable Development Goals – Measuring Progress for the Same Targets in the BalticSea” (http://www.helcom.fi/Lists/Publications/BSEP150.pdf) published by HELCOM provides anoverview, clearly subdivided by topic, of HELCOM’s contribution to the implementation of SDG 14.Germany successfully recommended this brochure as a reference document in the CBSS report “Baltic2030: Bumps on the Road”. HELCOM presented its current work and reported on the results at theAnnual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) held in Tallinn in early June 2018.While there used to be significant scope for improvement in terms of the cooperation between theEUSBSR and HELCOM, progress is being made and this is supporting HELCOM’s function as the “focalpoint” for marine conservation issues in the Baltic Sea region.As a HELCOM Contracting Party, Germany provides active, cross-cutting support for its specialised workon all topics, and is going beyond a Contracting Party’s normal obligations to contribute supplementaryresources (e.g. contributions in kind, expert contributions and financial contributions) for certain topics.As part of the process of updating the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in 2018 to make 2030 thefuture target year, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, a strategic plan for updating the Action Plan, whichwas first produced in 2007, was adopted at the Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in mid-June 2018. Thestrategic plan not only covers purely structural aspects such as how the work is to be organised, thetimetable and resources; it also provides an initial thematic overview.In addition to the topics already included in the current BSAP, such as eutrophication, biodiversity,maritime activities and hazardous substances, the updated BSAP will contain new perspectivesGermany Page 153looking beyond 2021. This will include the general implementation of the ecosystem approach andconsideration of the socio-economic consequences of measures.Specific topics relating to marine protection and conservation which are covered include underwaternoise, pharmaceuticals and microplastics. The range of actions reflects the Baltic Sea region’s desire tostep up efforts to improve the environmental status of the Baltic Sea. This issue, and thus the need toupdate the Action Plan, was also set out at this year’s EUSBSR Annual Forum in Tallinn, and receivedthe Forum’s full support. The Federal Government strongly supports these actions and is taking the leadrole in its engagement with a large number of issues.HELCOM’s regional marine litter action plan was drawn up to a significant extent under Germanleadership, and reflects Germany’s engagement with this issue, including in the Baltic Sea region.Action to combat the input of plastic waste is part of the Federal Government’s measures againstmarine litter. These expressly also involve the implementation of the HELCOM action plan. As asignificant proportion of the microplastics in our oceans come from fragmented macroplastics,successfully reducing the input of plastic waste into the marine environment also serves to preventmicroplastics in the oceans. A basic prerequisite for this is a well-developed infrastructure forcollecting and disposing of (plastic) waste, as already exists in Germany. Deposit schemes, which haveworked well in Germany for many years, are proving to be very successful in preventing litter fromnon-reusable drinks packaging.In view of the large number of unresolved issues, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research(BMBF) launched a research funding programme (“Plastic in the Environment – Sources. Sinks.Solutions”) in October 2017. With 18 research projects involving around 100 institutions and a totalbudget of 35 million euros, this programme is currently one of the biggest research activities in thisfield, including by international standards (https://bmbf-plastik.de/en). The national dialogue with thecosmetics industry, led by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), has had a Europe-wideimpact. Across Europe, the use of microplastic particles in rinse-off cosmetic products with anexfoliating effect has been reduced by 97%.Measures to tackle marine littering are being discussed with broad stakeholder involvement within theframework of the “Marine Litter Roundtable” (www.muell-im-meer.de), a joint initiative of the FederalMinistry for the Environment, the Land Lower Saxony and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA); thesemeasures include ways to avoid the use and reduce the emission of primary microplastic particles.The Trace Substance Strategy, for which the Federal Ministry for the Environment is the lead Ministry,will provide input on the subject of “pharmaceuticals”. As the basis for this, measures to reduce tracesubstance input (including pharmaceuticals) in water bodies, from production, to use, to disposal, arebeing developed in the framework of a moderated multi-stakeholder dialogue over the period to early2019. Germany also actively supported the development of the joint HELCOM-UNESCO-EUSBSR statusreport on pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment of the Baltic Sea and regards it as a valuablebasis for developing measures.Tackling eutrophication is a high priority for the Federal Government. Germany is continuing, withinthe HELCOM framework, to actively work towards the implementation of fixed country-specificmaximum allowable nutrient inputs. The Fertiliser Application Ordinance adopted by the FederalGovernment represents a political compromise which has, in the view of the Federal Ministry for theEnvironment, for the first time introduced important instruments that will lead to a reduction inGermany Page 164inputs of nutrients to the environment. To what extent the new Fertiliser Application Ordinance willlead to significant reductions in nutrient emissions remains to be seen. Short-term successes inreducing the nitrate levels in bodies of water, and especially in groundwater, are not expected.Groundwater is a sluggish system which is slow to respond to shifts in land use.Regarding the elaboration of an action plan against underwater noise, which is to be finalised by 2021according to the Brussels Ministerial Declaration, preparatory work is under way, such as thedevelopment of a sub-programme to monitor underwater noise. The question of a data repository isalready being discussed as well. Germany is actively involved in the development of indicators andthreshold levels for underwater noise and their effective implementation at both national and regionallevel, e.g. as a member of the HELCOM Expert Network EN Noise. The main aim of this work is to ensurethat protected marine mammals, such as the porpoises native to German marine waters, are notharmed by underwater noise.• support the significance of the Science, Research and Innovation Agenda as it is outlined byCBSS Science Ministers’ Conference held in 2016 in the Chair’s Conclusions: Baltic Science:Renewing the Commitment to Science/Research Joint Actions in the Baltic Sea RegionThe cooperation between several EU Member States, including Sweden, Denmark and Germany, on theconstruction of the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund constitutes an important contribution tothe Baltic Sea region’s joint Science, Research and Innovation Agenda. ESS construction is making goodprogress; it is now around 50% complete. In the next phase, the measurement instruments are to bebuilt and put into operation.Regarding Democratic Participation and the Digital Age:• bearing in mind the importance of freedom of expression, explore legal possibilities and acommon approach to react against “Hate Speech” and “Fake News”In 2017, the Bundestag adopted the Act to Improve Enforcement of the Law in Social Networks, orNetwork Enforcement Act (Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz – NetzDG). It aims to more effectively tacklehate crime, criminally punishable fake news and other types of unlawful content on the platforms ofsocial networks. This includes, for example, criminally punishable insults, defamation, intentionaldefamation, public incitement to crime, incitement to hatred, dissemination of depictions of violence,and threatening the commission of a felony.The Act establishes binding standards for the effective and transparent management of complaints.The operators of social networks are required to supply users with an easily recognisable, directlyaccessible and permanently available procedure for submitting complaints about unlawful content, totake immediate note of complaints submitted by users and check whether the content reported in thecomplaint is unlawful, to remove or block access to content that is manifestly unlawful within 24 hoursof receiving the complaint, to remove or block access to all unlawful content generally within sevendays of receiving the complaint or refer the content to a recognised self-regulation institution and agreeto accept its decision (the recognised institution must also decide on the unlawfulness of the reportedcontent within seven days), and to notify users of any decision regarding their complaints, while alsoproviding them with reasons for its decision.Germany Page 175The operators of social networks are required to produce six-monthly reports on the handling ofcomplaints about unlawful content. The report must include, among other things, information aboutthe number of complaints received, the network’s decision-making practices, and the human resourcesand specialist expertise in the units responsible for processing complaints. The reports must bepublished online in such a way that anyone can access them.Operators of social networks which do not set up an effective complaints management system, or failto do so properly – in particular by failing to remove unlawful content at all, in full or in time – arecommitting a regulatory offence. This can result in a fine of up to five million euros being imposed onthe person responsible for the complaints procedure. The company itself can face a fine of up to 50million euros. A fine can also be imposed if the social network fails to comply at all or in full with itsreporting obligation.To improve the enforcement of the law, social networks are required – irrespective of where theirbusiness is established – to name a person authorised to receive service in Germany in relation to fineproceedings and civil proceedings and to publish this fact on their platform. In addition, a person inGermany must be named who is authorised to receive requests for information from German lawenforcement authorities. The networks must also ensure that a rapid response is provided to theserequests.A fine can be imposed in the case of non-compliance with the obligation to appoint a person authorisedto receive service and a person authorised to receive requests for information.Anyone whose general right of personality is infringed within the scope of the Act may, in principle,require the operator of the social network to provide information about who committed theinfringement. This right to receive information already exists on the basis of general principles of civillaw. The Act has put systems in place to enable the enforcement of this right to information. Theoperators of social networks are empowered under data protection law to disclose the registration dataof the person who committed the infringement to the person whose rights have been infringed.However, the disclosure of data by the social network must be ordered by the relevant civil court (i.e.the authorisation of a judge is required).Regarding Innovative Science and Research:• further improve the conditions of the Baltic Sea Region in global scientific competitionthrough joint strengthened efforts by increased investments in innovative science andresearchSince 2010, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding the establishment andexpansion of innovative R&D networks in the Baltic Sea region. The last projects were completed in 2017.The initiative has since been evaluated. On the basis of the results, the Ministry is currently examining newcooperative approaches to boost innovative science and research in the region.• promote the further development of the Baltic Sea Science Network to enhance macro-regional dimensions of science and research policyThe Baltic Sea region is not only an important economic region for Germany and the northern GermanLänder, but also one of the world’s most competitive and innovative science regions. While the BalticGermany Page 186Sea region has a first-class higher education and research infrastructure, it has previously lacked its ownnetwork in the field of science and research policy.Under the leadership of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Ministry of Science, Research andEqualities), an effective science-policy network has been created in the Baltic Sea region in the form ofthe Baltic Science Network (BSN), which has quickly established itself as a key forum for this policy fieldin the Baltic Sea region and is providing important impetus for more intensive scientific cooperation inthe Baltic Sea region (paragraphs 16 and 17 of the BSPC resolution). For example, BSN has been anactive participant in the current debate about the future EU research and innovation frameworkprogramme, Horizon Europe (2021-2027), producing a BSN “Policy Paper regarding the FP 9” which setsout key macro-regional aspects and requests, and feeding them into the current political debate.The Baltic Science Network’s most important aim is to intensify cooperation in the field of science andresearch in the Baltic Sea region. Extensive studies and analyses of the starting position have been producedregarding BSN’s three core work packages (research excellence, mobility and widening participation in EUsupport for research), and recommendations have been drawn up regarding joint strategies and structuresfor the countries of the Baltic Sea region. All of the studies and analyses can be found at www.baltic-science.org.BSN receives around 3 million euros in funding from the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme Vb.In addition, the Baltic Science Network is a flagship of the policy area “education” within the EU Strategyfor the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).To raise awareness of the dynamism and strength of the Baltic Sea science region, the Baltic ScienceNetwork and Baltic TRAM are planning to hold a joint conference in Brussels on 26 November 2018with the working title: “The Baltic Sea Region – A Science Powerhouse”.Additionally, the next CBSS Science Ministerial is due to take place in the spring of 2019, during theLatvian Presidency. Preparations for the Ministerial are being made jointly by the CBSS Secretariat, theBaltic Science Network and the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science. BSN is making an importantcontribution to intensifying cross-border scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea region quantitativelyand qualitatively (BSN Work Package 3) by identifying excellent research areas and infrastructure in theBaltic Sea region, and making recommendations to intensify transnational cooperation in selectedresearch areas (photon and neutron science / structural research, life sciences, and the future of thewelfare state).BSN is also grappling intensively with the issue of researcher mobility in the Baltic Sea region(paragraph 27 of the BSPC resolution). Existing mobility programmes have been analysed and thechallenges and barriers investigated. Strategies to promote mobility and a dedicated mobilityinstrument for the Baltic Sea region are currently being developed in the BSN framework, and theGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is heavily involved in this process (BSN Work Package 4).Another key priority for BSN is the issue of “widening participation” in the next EU research andinnovation framework programme, Horizon Europe(BSN Work Package 5). As one of Europe’s fewscience-policy networks, BSN brings together member organisations from the EU13 and EU15 countriesand can thus play an important role in building bridges. Achieving a more equitable participation ofsouth-eastern EU (Baltic Sea) countries in EU research support is of fundamental importance in theongoing negotiations on the next EU research framework programme, in order to safeguard futureGermany Page 197acceptance and funding of EU research support. Here, too, BSN has produced extensive studies andanalyses, which were presented at a major conference during the Estonian EU Presidency. With itspolicy paper “Tackling widening participation in R&I: a Baltic Sea region perspective”, BSN has proposed16 concrete solutions and forwarded them to the European Commission and the Member States.Key scientific stakeholders, i.e. almost all national and regional science ministries and national researchagencies, as well as international stakeholders such as the Nordic Council of Ministers, the CBSS, BONUSand the EUSBSR’s policy area “education, research and employability”, are members of BSN andrepresented on its Steering Committee. The German Academic Exchange Service recently joined thenetwork as a full member.BSN works closely with the CBSS and is one of two main pillars of the CBSS Science, Research andInnovation Agenda (paragraph 4 of the BSPC resolution). In addition, BSN is also a flagship of theEUSBSR policy area “education” (paragraph 21 of the BSPC resolution).The BONUS programme is the EU’s only macro-regional research support programme; it is makingimportant contributions in the field of environmental, marine and climate research (paragraphs 16, 25and 26 of the BSPC resolution). BSN therefore expressly supports the continuation of BONUS in aBONUS II project (paragraph 24 of the BSPC resolution).The Baltic TRAM project, which addresses the cooperation between major research institutions andindustry, is an example of best practice in the field of innovation. The Free and Hanseatic City ofHamburg is making an important contribution in this area due to the role of DESY as Lead Partner(paragraph 19 of the BSPC resolution).The CBSS Baltic Sea Science Day has been successfully held twice already (St Petersburg and Turku).Planning is under way for the next Science Day in Latvia in 2019. BSN is playing a significant role inplanning and designing this event.• improve the short-term mobility possibilities of researchers [... and] intensify the mobility ofteaching professionals and students by stipend programmes for mobility within the Baltic SeaRegionMobility in the region can be supported by the existing programmes run by the German AcademicExchange Service and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH).The Baltic Science Network is working intensively on the issue of researcher mobility in the Baltic Searegion. Existing mobility programmes have been analysed and the challenges and barriers investigated.Strategies to promote mobility and a dedicated mobility instrument for the Baltic Sea region arecurrently being developed in the BSN framework, and the German Academic Exchange Service is heavilyinvolved in this process (BSN Work Package 4).Regarding Sustainable Tourism:• elaborate a common programme based on a strategy within the framework of the CBSS todevelop sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea Region, considering the following aspects:the reduction as far as possible of obstacles to cross-border travelling to promoteothe freedom of travel including promotion of the local border traffic regime on outerborders of the EUGermany Page 208facilitating border and visa regime for youth and organized tourist groupsothe improvement of sustainable transport and tourism infrastructureosupport for the idea of Baltic Sea Region States creating a common Baltic Sea Brand,obased on cultural and natural heritage, to strengthen tourism competitivenessthe improvement of travel options especially for young people (e.g. interferry)oDeveloping sustainable tourism is an important priority for the Federal Government. Sustainabletourism, in harmony with nature, landscapes and local culture, is ideally placed to contribute to valuecreation over the long term. The aim is to balance and bring together economic, social andenvironmental aspects, including cultural integrity, resource efficiency and climate protection. Long-term trends, such as demographic changes in society and growing support among travellers for theprotection of natural resources, social responsibility and participation for all in the life of thecommunity, are influencing the future of tourism, in Germany and beyond. The competitiveness oftourist destinations increasingly depends on whether these trends are recognised and integrated intodecision-making processes.In view of the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany, tourism-related competences aredivided between the Federation and the Länder, and this system has proven its worth. Thedevelopment of tourism and the marketing of German tourist areas are matters for the Länder.The Federal Government is responsible for the general conditions for tourism and the tourism industryin Germany. In addition, it supports tourism-related pilot projects and studies which are in the generalinterest of Germany as a whole. These include initiatives relating to sustainable tourism.Examples include boosting the attractiveness of rural areas to tourists (economic sustainability) through theproject “Die Destination als Bühne: Wie macht Kulturtourismus ländliche Räume erfolgreich?” (“Thedestination as a stage: how does cultural tourism help rural areas to succeed?”) (http://culturcamp.de/),and developing and introducing a standard nationwide labelling and certification scheme for accessibletravel offers (social sustainability) through the project “Reisen für Alle” (“Travel for all”) (https://www.reisen-fuer-alle.de/). Both projects are run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.Sustainability is also a cornerstone of Germany’s brand as a tourist destination. Within the frameworkof its sustainability initiative, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), which promotes Germanyabroad as a destination for tourists on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy,offers the Länder and tourist destinations its experience and expertise, to support them in developingstrong offers and measures in the field of sustainable tourism.In addition, the GNTB is a member of international bodies, on behalf of the Federal Ministry forEconomic Affairs and Energy; the topics dealt with by these bodies include sustainable tourism. Oneexample is the cooperation between the countries of the Baltic Sea region, with the Germancontribution being coordinated by the Land Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.In the framework of the EUSBSR, the GNTB attends the meetings and workshops of the SteeringCommittee for the Priority Area Tourism. The issues covered include strategies and projects tointroduce sustainable tourism products.In 2017, the GNTB attended two meetings of the Steering Committee. The meeting on 12 June 2017 inBerlin was in the context of the 8th Annual Forum of the EUSBSR and included a workshop onGermany Page 219destination branding (13 June 2017). On 1 November 2017, the Committee met in Turku, Finland, onthe occasion of the 10th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum (BSTF).A key element of the tourism collaboration between the countries of the Baltic Sea region is the BalticSea Tourism Center (BSTC). This project, funded by the EU over the period from 1 January 2017 to31 December 2019 (budget: 1.5 million euros), is supported by the GNTB in close consultation with theFederal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The lead partner is the Mecklenburg-WesternPomerania tourist board (TMV).The Center is the operational basis for cooperation between 15 partners from seven countries. As wellas the official project partners (=financial contributors), there are a number of associated partners.Besides the GNTB, these include other tourism marketing organisations from the region (includingDenmark, Finland and Poland). The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is one of the initiative’sstrategic partners.To support the development of a proposal for the BSTC’s portfolio of services, a study wascommissioned by the TMV, for which the GNTB was interviewed. The results were presented anddiscussed at a meeting of the partners held in Copenhagen on 15 January 2018, which was alsoattended by the GNTB. Through its close cooperation with the TMV and its regular attendance ofmeetings of the BSTC project committee, the GNTB offers its extensive expertise on sustainable tourismto the various tourism stakeholders in the countries of the Baltic Sea region.The 11th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum will take place this year in Riga (Latvia) from 14 to 15 November.promote wastewater facilities at harbours in the Baltic Sea RegionThe Federal Government has a strong interest in it being possible for wastewater to be dischargedappropriately at German harbours. Although responsibility for the harbours rests with the Länder, theFederal Government is engaging with the ongoing process of developing a new directive on portreception facilities, which touches on this issue, but also that of avoiding waste discharge into the sea.HamburgHamburg Page 2BÜRGERSCHAFT (PARLIAMENT)OF THE FREE AND HANSEATIC CITY OF HAMBURG21/12133Parliamentary PaperMarch 8, 201821st Parliamentary TermNotification by the President of the BürgerschaftSubject: Senate statement on the Conference Resolution adopted by the26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference – Parliamentary Paper21/10709Under the chairmanship of the Hamburg Parliament and my presidency the 26th BalticSea Parliamentary Conference was held in Hamburg from September 3 to 5, 2017.In the course of the forthcoming 27th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference to be heldin Mariehamn from August 26 to 28, 2018 also the implementation of the ConferenceResolution of the 26th Annual Conference will be evaluated. To this effect, eachmember parliament has been encouraged to submit the Resolution to the respectivegovernments requesting their statement on the implementation of the politicaldemands raised.Against this backdrop I submitted, by letter dated October 26, 2017, the HamburgResolution together with the request for a statement on to what extent the HamburgSenate within its functional responsibility is planning, has been initiating orimplemented pertinent measures for implementation, to the President of the Senate,Mayor Olaf Scholz.The Hamburg Parliament referred the written report on the Conference in Hamburgas Parliamentary Paper 21/10709 after discussion in its session of November 8, 2017to the European Committee.The Commissioner with the Federal Government, the European Union and in chargeof foreign matters, Staatsrat Wolfgang Schmidt, submitted to me the attached letterdated January 31, 2018.Carola VeitPresidentAttachmentHamburg Page 3Senate Statementon the Implementation of the Conference Resolution of theth26 Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe Senate welcomes emphatically the objectives laid down in the Resolution. In sofar as the items mentioned fall within the jurisdiction of the Senate and are notsubject to any regulations on the federal or EU level they are common practice inmany instances already.Below the Senate wishes to state its point of view on the matters of its concern andreport on measures and administrative practices that are being conducted inaccordance with the objectives of the Baltic Sea Parliamentarians.Regarding Cooperation in the Region:Re figure 1 of the Resolution:The Senate continues to represent, within the scope of its jurisdiction, Hamburg in anactive manner in the various networks and bodies in the Baltic Sea region. Theemphasis is on the coordination of the policy area ‘Education, Research andEmployment’ of the EU Baltic Sea strategy through HIBB (Hamburg Institute ofVocational Training) which, jointly with Norden Association (Sweden), as lead partnersupports the further development of the action plans.Beyond the cooperation in networks, Hamburg is fostering close bilateral cooperationwith the Baltic Sea region. Special emphasis must be put in the process, for onething, on the cooperation with our twin city of St. Petersburg supported mainly by thehuge number of civil society and economic actors and which was intensified oncemore through the recently held sixtieth twinning anniversary. In addition, Hamburghas been cooperating for some time now with the city of Kaliningrad with emphasison cultural exchange mainly.For another thing, partners from Hamburg are closely linked with partners from theregion in various INTERREG projects in the Baltic Sea region.Hamburg Page 4Re figure 2 of the Resolution:Hamburg can have an indirect impact only on the work of the HELCOM bodies,among other things in the development of the HELCOM Action Plan andimplementation of the measures adopted. Representatives appointed to the bodiesare only representatives of the Federal government and the federal states ofSchleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is only by active membership inthe Federal Government-Federal Sates Working Group North Sea/Baltic Sea thatHamburg can support the objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and activelyparticipate in the measures in the Baltic Sea.Re figure 3 of the Resolution:Elaboration of the regional HELCOM Action Plan on underwater noise is madewithout active participation of Hamburg. Indirect participation of Hamburg is takingplace in the elaboration of the HELCOM Action Plan on marine litter, to wit within theframework of participation in the ‘Round Table on Marine Litter’ and in the MarineStrategy Framework Directive of the European Commission. Participation ofHamburg is in the best interest of the Senate as the Action Plan covers wastedisposal in Hamburg and also its monitoring for traffic between Hamburg and theBaltic Sea ports.Re figure 4 of the Resolution:The Senate welcomes the intense discussion of the topics of science and researchwithin the framework of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. Hamburg’sambition is to develop into the biggest science metropolis in Northern Europe. To thisend, it has already developed (as the only federal state) a ‘Baltic Sea strategy forHamburg as the science centre’ (Parliamentary Paper 20/10410) and adopted it in2014 by the Senate and the Hamburg Parliament.Re figure 5 of the Resolution:To the extent that the measures demanded under this figure fall within the jurisdictionof the City of Hamburg, the Senate can state the following: In the field of tourismmarketing there has been in place a cooperation agreement with ‘WonderfulCopenhagen’ since 2016 to achieve a joint perception of the two cities for theoverseas markets. In addition, there is a joint marketing project of the two HanseaticHamburg Page 5cities in place within the framework of ‘Hanse der Neuzeit’ (‘Hanseatic League ofModern Times’). In the field of tourism marketing there are currently no plans forfurther development and institutionally border-crossing cooperation. In Hamburgthere exists, unlike in other federal states, no tourist infrastructure of its own throughthe city.As regards the infrastructure, the Senate is pursuing the objective of developingpublic transport in a sustainable and resource-conserving manner. The developmentis stringently required so that, in this context, also the switch to emission-free bussesis being advanced. Rapid transit lines are planned to be expanded and also themetro network expansion plan is currently under way.Regarding Democratic Participation and the Digital AgeRe figure 6 of the Resolution:Even in the past, The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg took major steps forimproving democratic participation on a continuous level. For one thing, Hamburg,with the concept of citizen lawmaking, introduced in 1996, in the form of people’sinitiatives, popular petitions and referendums has been boasting for a long timeextended means of participation on the state level – as has been proved by activeuse – which also in political practice are being lived. For another thing, Hamburg, withthe Transparency Law of 2012, has a highly progressive information right in placewhich not only provides for extensive rights of information on the part of the citizensbut mainly also proactive and cause-free disclosure duties on the part of theauthorities. In addition, the instrument of ‘citizens’ contract’ has over the past fewyears been further developed and used in practice. In the process, agreements havebeen concluded between local initiatives and government actors on concretesubjects, mostly of a local nature. The so called ‘Stadtwerkstatt’ (‘City Workshop’)established in 2012 serves the purpose of providing, via a participative platform, asmany citizens as possible with a means of joining urban planning processes. This isbeing supported by local events to which citizens are invited by the administration.Re figure 7 of the Resolution:With the implementation of Art. 33 Law Relating to the Administration of the HamburgDistricts the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg provides minors – in addition to theHamburg Page 6participation rights accorded all citizens – with the right to participate in a reasonablemanner in planning procedures and projects touching on their interests. To this effect,the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg supports the Hamburg districtadministrations in their efforts to develop suitable procedures for safeguarding theparticipation means. The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Family and Integration(BASFI) is planning to intensify the exchange with the Hamburg districtadministrations for implementation of these standards.Within the framework of the youth welfare services, participation of young people iscommon. Among other things, visitors of institutions of work with children and youthsare regularly invited to participate in work planning and interior decoration. In order tobe able to provide free youth welfare services and initiatives of young people withfunds for participatory projects in an unbureaucratic manner, BASFI jointly withDeutsches Kinderhilfswerk are planning to set up a fund for the promotion ofparticipatory projects in youth welfare in a broad sense. It is planned for an annualsupport volume of 40,000 Euro.Re figure 8 of the Resolution:There is a steady exchange between all levels of the Hamburg administration andrepresentatives of the science community and civil society organizations on legal andethical aspects of digitization. The ‘Digital City of Hamburg’ strategy includes theexpress declaration in favour of discrimination-free access to digital offers underequality and gender mainstreaming aspects in order to bring about the overcoming ofdigital division. This basic principle will be taken into account in each digitizationproject within the framework of the strategy.Re figure 9 of the Resolution:Intensive cooperation and steady exchange are taking place also in regard toemploying new digital technologies for subjects of democracy and politicaldevelopment. One successful example is cooperation with Helsinki within theframework of the EU project ‘MySmartLife’ in which, among other things, the subjectof participation is playing an active part.Hamburg Page 7Re figure 10 of the ResolutionThe Senate supports numerous participatory projects. One example of positiveapplication of digital technologies has been the project ‘Finding Places’ foraccommodating refugees. With the help of interactive planning desks, citizens havebeen put in a position to identify areas for building sites and settlements and reviewexisting proposals.Re figures 11 and 12 of the ResolutionIn order to prepare schoolboys and schoolgirls for life in the current and future societyand provide them with the skills for active and responsible participation in the cultural,civic, political, occupational and economic life in the digitized society, the HamburgSenate as early as in December 2016 joined the strategy of the Standing Conferenceof the State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs ‘Education in the DigitizedWorld’. The digitization strategy developed on this basis by the Ministry for Educationand Occupational Development (BSB) covers the six fields of action: Curriculums andDidactics, Training, Continued Education and Further Education of Educators andTeachers, IT Infrastructure and Equipment, Educational Media, E-Government andSchool Administration Programs as well as Legal Framework Conditions. It is theteaching of skills required for life in a digitized world that BSB attaches greatimportance to as these will empower schoolgirls and schoolboys for coping withpermanent change in a digitized world. The pertinent concept developed by BSB tothis end for school subjects covers the skills Searching, Processing and Saving,Communicating and Copying, Producing and Presenting, Protecting and Safe Acting,Problem Solution and Acting as well as Analyzing and Reflecting. It is planned thatschoolgirls and schoolboys enrolled for educational year 2018/2019 shall haveacquired these skills by the end of their compulsory schooling.Other than that, the challenges of digital change and the concomitant transformationby means of greater utilization of digital media are being met by the development ofinnovative teaching and learning processes. The new media are being used to permiteven more dedicated and individual support and achieve equal opportunities in theeducational sector. Also in the field of vocational education programs the Senate ispursuing the aim of providing graduates with the skills permitting them unrestrictedHamburg Page 8participation in a digitized society and economy. To this end, the curriculums andteaching methods are continually being harmonized.Re figure 13 of the Resolution:There are currently no measures being taken in this field; neither is any planningunderway.Re figure 14 of the Resolution:By its program ‘Digital First’ the Senate is aiming at full digitization of administrativeprocesses. This puts both the citizens and the enterprises in the focus. One centralelement in the development of online offers is the concentration towards the user.Orientation to the requirements of the citizens will take into account also gender-specific and generational aspects.Re figure 15 of the Resolution:In regard to ‘Hate Speech’ Hamburg, within the framework of the Conference ofMinisters of Justice, by putting forward its own motion ‘Effectively Stop Hate Speechin the Internet – Strengthen the Position of Users who are the Victims of Hate Crimes’initiated the ‘Network Enforcement Act’ that has meanwhile entered into force.Providers of social network services will be fined if structural deficits are detected indeleting entries infringing listed offences. In this way, Hate Speech is intended to becontained. By means of motions for amendment and request for legal assessmentthe Senate was further involved also in the process in the Bundesrat (SecondChamber) and succeeded in bringing about amendments (for example, in regard tonominating authorized recipients).As regards Fake News, Hamburg put forward a motion of their own in the Conferenceof Ministers of Justice in spring 2017 ‘Market Power and Data Sovereignty in Law –Contain ‘Social Bots’ and ‘Fake News’. Appraisal of these subjects has shown thatFake News may be contained best via type of dissemination (on a massive scalethrough computer programs – so-called social bots). The focus therefore has come torest on these Social Bots. Hamburg, as a consequence, has participated in anationwide state working group on this set of issues. This working group submitted itsfinal report with legislative proposal as on the Conference of Ministers of Justice inHamburg Page 9fall 2017, and Hamburg was co-proposer of the resolution of the Conference ofMinisters of Justice by which the report was submitted.Regarding Innovative Science and ResearchRe figures 16 to 27 of the Resolution:In organizing the Baltic Sea Strategy of the City of Hamburg the Senate has initiateda host of measures which in many cases are in line with the demands raised in theBSPC Resolution. The Senate, with the Baltic Science Network (BSN), establishedan efficient science-policy network providing major stimulus for more intensivescientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. Various studies and analyses havebeen conducted on the three priority areas of BSN Research, Excellence, Mobilityand broader Participation in EU Research Funding in order to developrecommendations for joint strategies and structures of the Baltic Sea countries. Byidentifying research areas and infrastructures in the Baltic Sea Region and therecommendation for closer transnational cooperation in selected research areas thenetwork has been making a decisive contribution, in terms of quantity and quality, tostrengthening transnational scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. Also inthe field of scientist mobility in the Baltic Sea Region programs have been analyzed,barriers identified and strategies developed for promoting mobility.In addition the BSN is addressing measures to achieve a balanced participation ofthe south-eastern EU Baltic Sea countries in the EU Research Funding in order, inthis way, to safeguard the acceptance and financing of EU Research Funding.The work of BSN is being held in supra-regional esteem, particularly so because allnational and regional ministries of science and national research agencies as well asinternational stakeholders (e.g. the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Council of theBaltic Sea States, BONUS and the political field of ‘Education, Research andEmployment’ of EUSBSR) are members in the network and represented in theSteering Committee of BSN. Cooperation with the Council of the Baltic Sea States isrunning smoothly.A further part of the Hamburg Baltic Sea Strategy is the active support of the policyfields ‘Education, Research and Employment’ as well as ‘Innovation’. Within thisframework a seed money facility for scientific cooperation with partners from theHamburg Page 10Baltic Sea Region has been promoted within the scope of the Hamburg scheme ofresearch promotion as well as strengthening scientific cooperation in the fields ofstructure research and materials research with the Øresund region.Additionally re figure 18 of the Resolution:Within the framework of Innovation Alliance Hamburg the city is implementingnumerous measures for furthering innovations in Hamburg as a convenient location.In the process, the measures always take into account the basic principles ofsustainability. There are currently no plans for measures beyond the InnovationAlliance.Re figure 19 of the Resolution:The Baltic TRAM project, in the opinion of the Senate, represents a prominent ‘bestpractice’ example in the field of innovation by addressing the cooperation of majorresearch institutions with industry. Through DESY as lead partner Hamburg ismaking a major contribution to this end.Additionally re figure 22 of the Resolution:Education starting as early as in pre-school age and ending upon school-leaving orvocational qualification is essential for a society capable of innovation and, in theopinion of the Senate, represents a central element of social provision for the future.Hamburg as a consequence provides for comprehensive, differentiated and largelyfree-of-charge educational opportunities that are subject to continuous development.The existence and assertion of compulsory schooling is meant to increase theawareness of citizens of all ages that education represents an indispensable part ofindividual health and social protection. On-going learning is required for earningemployment and maintaining gainful employment and, by implication, also for formingone’s individual life. The persons active in the educational institutions are required,within the framework of their general educational mandate, to work towards youngpeople being willing to develop further in accordance with their capabilities andpreferences.There are highly diverse public and non-public educational offerings in place,information on which is accessible to citizens with BSB (print and online mediaHamburg Page 11provide information on institutions, educational programs and qualification measures,access possibilities and prerequisites etc.).One essential goal of educational policy is to facilitate passage between the variouseducational stages (vocational preparation, vocational qualification, dual and full-timeschooling and advanced vocational training) and from the general school system tothe academic education system.The importance attached by the Senate to education and science as well as thestrengthening of awareness thereof may be seen by the fact that the city of Hamburgprovides for a comprehensive offer of opportunities for further education and advisescitizens thereof by free-of-charge pertinent information and consultation.Additionally re figure 23 of the Resolution:The Baltic Sea Science Day of the Baltic Sea Council will this year be held in Turku,Finland, from January 24 to 26, 2018. Pertinent organization and planning of theevent will be the responsibility of BSN.Additionally re figure 24 of the Resolution:The Senate is positively in favour of continuation of the BONUS program as this isthe only macro-regional research promotion scheme of the EU and makes and willcontinue making decisive contributions to issues of environmental, marine andclimate research.Regarding Sustainable TourismRe figure 28 to 40 of the ResolutionThe Senate is pursuing the goal of promoting sustainable tourism in the HanseaticCity. Hamburg Tourismus GmbH (HHT) is in charge of the subject of sustainability inthe tourist market. HHT inform and advise hotels and tourist service providers withregard to sustainable tourism offers and arrange for strengthening networking ofservice providers.Other than that, the Senate is pursuing the goal of greatest possible participation ofpopulation groups and, as a consequence, achieving accessibility. In the metro andHamburg Page 12rapid transit network of the Hochbahn and the DB Station und Service AG,accessibility of the stations is being advanced on a continuous level. In the rapidtransit system, as many as 46 of the 56 way stations on the Hamburg territory havebeen retrofitted for stepless accessibility.In the task of producing transparency through the manifold offers already in place,intense utilization of digital channels has a continuously growing role to play.Additionally re figure 30 of the Resolution:To improve transparency in regard to sustainability and the carbon footprint oftourism products in future the recognition of ‘Certified Green Hotel’ or alsocertification of sustainability of cruise trips might be offered.Additionally re figure 31 of the Resolution:The cruise terminals Altona and Steinwerder have already been equipped withfacilities to receive waste water and feed it into the public sewer system. In additionthere are private providers with offers for collecting waste water from vessels.Hamburg has no responsibilities for installing waste water collection centres in theBaltic Sea ports of the federal states. Hamburg is organizing the MARPOL task forceof the Federal Government and the Federal States. In this context also MARPOLAnnex IV (Waste Water) and the HELCOM requirements for the waste waterprotection area Baltic Sea are being deliberated.Additionally re figure 32 of the Resolution:The Senate aims at markedly improving the bike traffic infrastructure in Hamburg. Tothis effect, on June 23, 2017, the Hamburg Alliance for Bike Traffic was concludedwhich, in its action program, includes the completion of the bike-route network andnew construction/renewal of annually 50 km of bike routes. This need for action hasbeen transferred to single measures and equipped with budget funds and personnelso that the action plan may be implemented on a step-by-step basis by 2020. For themoment, a sum of 33 million EUR has been provided for putting up signage for thebike route network in compliance with the nation-wide standard. Another componentof concrete traffic planning is the expansion of bike parking lots (included in almostany planning). The Bike Ride Development Scheme (Parliamentary Paper 20/14485)Hamburg Page 13is under way and will increase the number of Bike-Ride stands at the rapid transitway stations from 17,000 to 25,000 by 2025. Moreover, the stands are planned to beadapted to the current state of the art.LatviaLatvia Page 2No. 21 Riga, 1 March ,2018Mr Valerijus SimulikPresident of the Baltic AssemblyMr Jānis VucānsVice-President of the Baltic AssemblyMr Aadu MustVice-President of the Baltic AssemblySecretariat of the Baltic AssemblyCitadeles Street 2-616Riga, LV-1010Distinguished Members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly,It is my honour to reply to your letter No. 1/0118-4 of 9 January 2018 concerning thequestions on the implementation of the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceResolution.Please find attached answers to the questions, submitted by the respective branchministries of the Republic of Latvia.Enclosed: Annex on 9 (nine) pages.Yours sincerely,Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars RinkēvičsLatvia Page 3AnnexAnswers to the Questions regarding the Implementation of the Resolution of the 26thBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceRegarding Cooperation in the Region:1) intensify the cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region including the Northern Dimension,the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Strategy for the socio-economicdevelopment of the North-West Federal district of Russia in addition to other regionalactors by identifying common priorities and developing respective regional strategiesand action plans in fields of common interest and mutual benefits. Since macro-regional strategies gather stakeholders and actors from all sectors and levels ofgovernance, macro-regional strategies offer efficient instruments to improve relationsbetween neighbouring countries and thereby support European Neighbourhood Policy.Answer prepared by the Ministry of Foreign AffairsIn the Baltic Sea region there are various regional organizations, foras and formats wherethe cooperation between different actors is fostered. Nowadays, the Baltic Sea region isconsidered as one of the most successful examples of regional co-operation.As of 1 July 2018, Latvia will assume the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic SeaStates (CBSS). Besides continuation of the CBSS long-term priorities and major initiativesundertaken by the current Swedish Presidency, the intention of the Latvian CBSSPresidency is to focus on the prevention of human trafficking, the combating of organisedcrime, the shaping and preservation of cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea region. Also,Latvia will contribute to the following issues: sustainability, climate change, spatialplanning. Considering the need to evaluate the role of the CBSS towards 2020 and beyond,Latvia participates in the work of the CBSS Vision Group, elaborating renewed andinnovative recommendations for a vision of the Baltic Sea Region and on the future role ofthe CBSS.EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region (EUSBSR) which includes eight EU member states(Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden) and theEuropean Commission creates a solid framework for joint projects in environmentprotection, education, health, culture, tourism, energy and other issues of regionalimportance. For better implementation of the EUSBSR objectives, cooperation with EUneighbouring countries, namely Belarus, Iceland, Norway and Russia, is also welcomed.As the European Council conclusions noted, the Northern Dimension – a common policyof the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland, provides a basis for external aspects of theEUSBSR. The Northern Dimension Partnership on Public Health and Social Well-being isthe coordinator for the EUSBSR policy area Health. The Northern Dimension Partnershipon Transport and Logistics is connected to the EUSBSR through the policy areasTransport, Safe and Ship.Other regional organizations such as the CBSS, Nordic Council of Ministers and theHelsinki Commission (HELCOM) are also useful for the successful cooperation with thenon-EU partners within the EUSBSR framework. HELCOM together with VASAB is thecoordinator of the horizontal action Spatial Planning. The CBSS Secretariat is acoordinator for policy area Secure together with Sweden, as well as for horizontal actionClimate and horizontal action Neighbours – together with the City of Turku. The EUSBSRis implemented, among others, by means of flagships projects. Currently there are manyprojects in which also non-EU countries are involved in order to implement commonregional priorities.2Latvia Page 4The recently signed Financing Agreement with which Russia joins the Interreg Baltic SeaRegion programme will increase the participation of Russian partners in transnationalcooperation projects around the Baltic Sea. Regarding the cooperation with the Strategy forthe socio-economic development of the North-West Federal district of Russia, Latvian sidewill be able to talk about it when the particular Strategy is revised and publicly available.As regards regional cooperation within the Northern Dimension, Latvia values the project-based approach of the Northern Dimension and supports regional cooperation on practicalissues at the expert level. Latvia takes part in three Northern Dimension partnerships: thePartnership on Transport and Logistics, the Partnership on Public Health and Social Well-being, and the Partnership on Culture.In the framework of the Partnership on Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS),Latvia has taken over the chairmanship from Estonia for 2018-2019. In February 2018Estonia concluded its chairmanship with line ministers meeting in Tallinn and with theadoption of the Declaration on Alcohol Policy. During the Latvian chairmanship in theNDPHS, one of its tasks will be the evaluation of the Partnership’s activities over the pastfive-year period. Latvia, during its chairmanship, is also planning to hold two seniorofficials meetings and finish its chairmanship with a high level meeting in 2019.Latvia is also one of the founders of the Northern Dimension’s Partnership on Culture(NDPC). Since 2014, the Secretariat for the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culturehas been temporarily located in Riga. Currently, the NDPC member states - Sweden,Norway, Finland, Russia, Poland and Latvia - are finalising discussions on the DraftAgreement on the Establishment of the Secretariat of the Northern Dimension Partnershipon Culture and preparing it for signing. Meanwhile, Latvia as a host country of thePartnership’s Secretariat has prepared for the discussions a draft Host Agreement betweenthe Republic of Latvia and the Secretariat of the Northern Dimension on Cultureconcerning the immunity and privileges of the Secretariat and its staff.2) further strengthen and develop HELCOM as the coordinator of the regionalimplementation of ocean-related goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agendaof the United Nations, through the strengthened implementation of the HELCOMBaltic Sea Action Plan and further commitment to achieve a Baltic Sea in goodenvironmental status by 2021 and if applicable, by renewing the Baltic Sea ActionPlan in line with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda with a time perspectiveuntil 2030;3) support HELCOM in elaborating a regional action plan on underwater noise as well asin implementing the marine litter regional action plan and in its battle againsteutrophication; concrete measures taken to reduce the input of plastics into the marineenvironment;4) support the significance of the Science, Research and Innovation Agenda as it isoutlined by CBSS Science Ministers’ Conference held in 2016 in the Chair’sConclusions: Baltic Science: Renewing the Commitment to Science/Research JointActions in the Baltic Sea Region;5) elaborate a common programme based on a strategy within the framework of theCBSS to develop sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea Region, considering thefollowing aspects:• the reduction as far as possible of obstacles to cross-border travelling to promotethe freedom of travel including promotion of the local border traffic regime onouter borders of the EU;• facilitating border and visa regime for youth and organized tourist groups;• the improvement of sustainable transport and tourism infrastructure;3Latvia Page 5• support for the idea of Baltic Sea Region States creating a common Baltic SeaBrand, based on cultural and natural heritage, to strengthen tourismcompetitiveness;• the improvement of travel options especially for young people (e.g. interferry).Answer prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional DevelopmentThe delegation of Latvia, together with other HELCOM Contracting Parties, during theHELCOM high-level session on 28 February 2017, agreed to use HELCOM as the regionalplatform for coordinating actions towards regional implementation of ocean-related SDGsin the Baltic Sea area. HELCOM can concretely contribute to achieving SDG 14. Anumber of targets under other SDGs (such as 6.3., 12.4 and 13.2) are also relevant toreaching the objectives of the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the MarineEnvironment of the Baltic Sea Area. Latvia is confident that full implementation of theBaltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) can deliver to the Agenda 2030 goals.HELCOM’s contribution to implementation of the Agenda 2030 could be, e.g., sharing theBaltic Sea regional experience in implementation of the global and regional commitments,including the HELCOM BSAP, Regional Marine Litter Action Plan or development of theholistic Baltic Sea assessment, as well as in implementation of the internationalrequirements in pollution reduction from shipping.HELCOM Ministerial Meeting to be held on 6 March, 2018, in Brussels, Belgium, is aresponse to the call for action in the Baltic Sea on the United Nations Agenda 2030 forSustainable Development (http://www.helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/ministerial-declarations/2018-brussels/the-road-to-the-meeting/). The meeting will assess the progressmade towards reaching a good environmental status in the Baltic Sea by 2021 (as set by theBSAP). It is planned to agree on updating the BSAP by 2021, based on new knowledgeand emerging challenges, and set such task in the Ministerial Declaration to be adopted.Themes of the meeting: http://www.helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/ministerial-declarations/2018-brussels/themes.Activities at national level:The newest among the four “umbrella laws” defining basic provisions for protection andsustainable use of waters in Latvia is the Water Services Law (adopted on 18 June, 2015,in force since 1 January, 2016). The law and related Cabinet of Ministers RegulationsRegarding the Provision and Use of Public Water Management Services (22 March 2016)aim to improve access to good quality and environmentally sound water services in Latviaby balancing the environmental protection requirements and sustainable use of naturalresources with social welfare and economic activities by setting unified requirements andterms for delivery of water supply and sewage services and uses. Latvia’s Programme ofMeasures for good environmental status of the marine waters of Latvia 2017 - 2020 (PoM)(adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on 13 July, 2016] was developed in accordance withthe requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. PoM includes targetedactions for marine litter, development of data and information basis to assess pollutiontrends and effectiveness of implemented measures, development of methodology forimplementation of spatial protection measures, int.al, for cumulative impacts` assessmentof sea uses. Implementation of River Basin management plans in accordance to WaterFramework Directive is crucial to reach targets set in PoM for abatement of eutrophicationin the sea. An Interreg project “Baltic Blue Growth” using blue catch crops (experimentalmussel farming) will help to assess effectiveness of innovative methods for reduction ofeutrophication. Broad research study financed by European Maritime and Fisheries Fund(EMFF) is commenced to improve the knowledge and information basis on the state ofmarine environment, incl., social and economic aspects. To understand climate change andits impacts to identify adaptation and mitigation measures, several research activities werecarried out under the State Research Program "The value and dynamic of Latvia`s4Latvia Page 6ecosystems under changing climate” - “EVIDEnT” (2014 - 2017) (e.g., adaptation andelaboration of models for wind fields, wave and current dynamics, food chain studies insystem lake – river – sea; investigation of invasive species in freshwater, ports and marineecosystem; estimation of GHG emissions from agricultural sector, etc.).An ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning (MSP) could serve as an effectiveadditional tool to strengthen an integrated and cross-sectoral approach to the sustainablegovernance and use of marine resources. Development of MSP is included into PoM asspatial management measure together with further development of management plans formarine protected areas (MPA) (covering 15% of marine waters under jurisdiction of Latvia- more than globally set goal). In coming years Latvia will carry out research studies tojustify possible new MPAs in EEZ.Latvia participates in Interreg projects to support development of MSP in Latvia and theBaltic Sea Region (e.g., PanBaltic SCOPE project, Coherent Linear Infrastructures inBaltic Maritime Spatial Plans - Baltic LINes). The “National Long-term thematic plan forthe public infrastructure development of the Baltic Sea coastline” has been developed andadopted by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2016.Latvia is committed to implement the HELCOM Regional Marine Litter Action Plan(2015). The Regional Plan together with marine litter related projects and activities andcampaigns in Latvia will contribute to the Clean Seas global campaign on marine litterannounced by UNEP in 2017. Latvia’s PoM includes targeted actions for marine litter,inter alia, prevention of litter origins, improvement of information basis, consumers’ andgeneral public awareness raising, as well as raising of merchants` responsibility throughsuch measures as reduction of the use of lightweight plastic bags, regular beachmonitoring, education, awareness, as well as research studies on presence and ecologicalimpacts of microplastics. Annual campaign “My Sea” since 2012 has proved to be efficientinstrument in both public awareness raising, data collecting and coastal policydevelopment work and have become a backbone of emerging national policies regardingmarine litter (annual beach litter monitoring programme is carried using this campaign).Latvia supports implementation of HELCOM Regional Baltic Underwater Noise Roadmapand development of environmental targets for underwater noise. Research study onunderwater noise is planned in Latvia in coming years.Establishment of the Nitrogen oxides Emission Control Area for the Baltic Sea and theNorth Sea, as well as establishment of the effective dates to make the Baltic Sea a SpecialArea regarding discharge of sewage from passenger ships by the IMO Marine EnvironmentProtection Committee in 2017 were remarkable turning points to cut nutrient emissionsfrom shipping to reduce eutrophication.The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water andSediments (2004) will be ratified by Latvia in 2018.Answer prepared by the Ministry of TransportRegarding the improvement of sustainable transport and tourism infrastructure – Ministryof Transport implements the infrastructure improvement measures according to the LatvianTourism Development Guidelines and Transport Development Guidelines 2014-2020. Inparticular, the progress has been made in improving the local state roads with gravelpavements, for which additional financing will be allocated - in 2018 (25.2 million euros),2019 (25.2 million euros), and in 2020 (36.9 million euros). Also, the modernization of railpassenger infrastructure has been implemented. The project "Modernization of theInternational Airport "Riga" infrastructure" has been completed, increasing aerodromecapacity, reducing the impact of airport operations on environment and increasing flightsafety. Now also Liepaja Airport is certified for regular flight service. Regardingdevelopment of “airBaltic” flight network – there have been new bilateralintergovernmental agreements concluded on air transport.5Latvia Page 7Answer prepared by the Ministry of EconomicsRegarding the development of sustainable tourism – Ministry of Economics has developeda Nordic Baltic Cooperation Plan, which integrates all the tourism related questions in onesolid activity plan. The plan includes such activities as common tourism marketingactivities for long distant markets, participation in the Baltic Tourism Committee,organization of Baltic Sea Tourism Forum etc.Regarding Democratic Participation and the Digital Age:6) further improve and develop means of democratic participation, e.g. throughtransparency, comprehensive information, government accountability and otherinstruments of citizen participation;7) commit to strengthening the involvement of youth in all areas of society, including,but not limited to, government, science, education and culture. To this end, the BSPCwill continue to work towards establishing a Baltic Sea-wide youth forum;8) stimulate a common dialogue and debate in the Baltic Sea region on ethical conditionsfor the digitization of states and societies and the possibilities of a common legalframework in this policy field. The task of the Parliaments is to guarantee fundamentalrights, democracy and the rule of law in the digital world as well. Parliaments andgovernments are encouraged to ensure that there is no gap between the digital societyand the state;9) work with the aim to make the Baltic sea region a global frontrunner in making newdigital technologies work for democracy and political development;10) stimulate policies to enhance digitization of democratic activity and processes with theaim to increase public participation in decision-making through sharing of technologyand best practices by governments and parliaments;11) draw attention to training and education for the youth with regard to digitalizationopportunities in order to foster a competent and responsible use of the evolvingtechnological innovations - thereby contributing to democratic societies in the digitalage;12) understand state coordination of innovation policies in terms of a social progress andnot only as a technological process;13) support the social partners in the Baltic Sea Region in their pursuit to use the chancesof digitalization for decent and sustainable working and living conditions;14) draw special attention to the gender and generation aspects of digital innovation andthe consequent societal changes;15) bearing in mind the importance of freedom of expression, explore legal possibilitiesand a common approach to react against “Hate Speech” and “Fake News”.Answer prepared by the Ministry of WelfareIn Latvia, active labour market policies play an essential role in reducing ICT skills gapsfor unemployed and job seekers who are registered in the State Employment Agency(PES), including target groups - disadvantaged unemployed with disabilities, long termunemployed, unemployed aged 50 years and over, etc.Vocational training and upskilling programmes for PES clients include various ICT relatedprogrammes: Non-formal programmes implemented with voucher method (17 computer skillsrelated training programmes from 80 to 360 hours); Vocational training programme (from 480 to 1280 hours) and upskilling vocationalprogramme (from 160 to 320 hours) for the unemployed with voucher method6Latvia Page 8(including “Information and communications technology operations” (160-320h) and“Computer systems technicians” (960 hours)).Furthermore, various shorter term courses from 16 to 32 hours are available to strengthenICT use among older workers.Answer prepared by the Ministry of Foreign AffairsRegarding “Hate Speech” and “Fake News”:Since 2014, Latvia has taken a watchful and holistic approach to the challenge posed byhate speech and disinformation (“fake news”). In this regard, two separate but interlinkedactions are being implemented.First, Latvia is undertaking a review of the National Electronic Media Law, whilesupporting the review of the Audiovisual Media Service Directive on the EU level. Latviasupports the strengthening of the EEAS Strategic Communications Task Forces andseconds a national expert to the EAST StratCom Task Force.Second, the Latvian government supports practical NGO-driven projects aimed atupgrading journalists’ professional skills and safeguarding independence of media. Since2015, the government has increased support for initiatives that strengthen media literacy.Of particular notice are journalist training and media literacy projects implemented by theBaltic Centre for Media Excellence. The Centre is based in Riga and works both in theBaltic States and in the EU Eastern Partnership countries.Lastly, Latvia emphasizes that the challenge of disinformation and hate speech should notbe approached in ways hostile to freedom of expression and media. At the same time,Latvia sides with the view that hate speech is not entitled to freedom of speech safeguards.Regarding Innovative Science and Research:16) intensify scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region qualitatively andquantitatively and therefore:• promote the development of more credible projections of the future of the BalticSea, based on the best basic marine research as well as the most plausiblesocioeconomic development scenarios and associated alterations in humanpressures, and the complex impacts of climate change on the ecosystem,• promote the delivery of new comprehensive knowledge on true long-term effects ofvarious human pressures on all organizational levels - from genes to an ecosystem,as well as suggestions on ways to mitigate these effects,• provide a scientific foundation for innovative cross-border policy making, includingpotential internalization of the costs of marine ecosystem services into theeconomic system;17) promote the further development of the Baltic Sea Science Network to enhance macro-regional dimensions of science and research policy from which higher education andresearch institutions should benefit and to thus create a supra-regional network thatprovides an “administrative network” in addition to the existing “scientific network”to manage the scientific cooperation in a useful and targeted way, especially in theframework of the project “Baltic Science Network”;18) take a more active role with regard to providing sustainable resources for research anddevelopment in order to further innovations by developing e.g. common standards,data security and intellectual property rights within the Baltic Sea Region;19) continue to support the efforts in building closer ties between analytical researchinstitutions and businesses in the framework of the Baltic TRAM (TransnationalResearch Access in the Macro-region) project;7Latvia Page 920) further improve the conditions of the Baltic Sea Region in global scientificcompetition through joint strengthened efforts by increased investments in innovativescience and research;21) recognize the EUSBSR’s Policy Area Innovation and Policy Area Educationcommitment to ensure a prosperous, sustainable and competitive region based on frontrunning innovation, research and higher education activities as “a common good” andhighlight the importance of developing measures to overcome innovation andperformance gaps in the region;22) strengthen citizen awareness of education and science as important innovationresources through suitable measures;23) referring to the success of the Baltic Sea Science Day held for the first time in St.Petersburg on 8 February 2017, to support and promote the continuation of thisinitiative as a useful tool for the intensification of scientific cooperation in the BalticSea Region and for improving the visibility of the Region's achievements and potentialin the field of science, research and innovation;24) support BONUS II;25) intensify measures to facilitate cross-border border integration of interdisciplinaryEarth system science in the Baltic Sea region;26) call for seeking synergies and measures for developing the Arctic-Baltic joint vision,collaboration and scientific performance;27) improve the short-term mobility possibilities of researchers by providingunbureaucratic support outside of large funded projects to allow for more flexibility invisibility and international research collaboration and a better integration of the BalticSea Region research landscape, to intensify the mobility of teaching professionals andstudents by stipend programmes for mobility within the Baltic Sea Region impartingthe benefits of scientific and cultural exchanges and while strengthening and topromoting summer schools as well as exchange programmes in the Baltic Sea Region.Answer prepared by the Ministry of EconomicsThe Ministry of Economics has developed internal Nordic Baltic Cooperation Plan whichintegrates activities related to innovation (closer cooperation between Investment andDevelopment Agency of Latvia and Nordic innovation agencies in fields of technologytransfer system and commercialization of research results).The Ministry of Economics has been participating in EUSBSR PA Innovation SteeringCommittee and EUBSR Stars Advisory Board in the new PA Innovation strategy period of2016-2020. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia has been participating inthe implementation of the new BSR Stars Activity Plan 2017-2020 as the in-kind personnelfrom Latvia to the EUBSR Stars Secretariat.Answer prepared by the Ministry of Education and ScienceRegarding the project “Baltic Science Network” – it has already provided an administrativenetwork in order to manage scientific cooperation. The aim of the project is to provide theMinistries of Science and Research of the Baltic Sea Region with an overall coordinationframework to develop and implement science policy in a macro-regional dimension and toensure a better representation of macro-regional interests on the EU level. The project alsoaims to develop and implement transnational strategies, incentives and programs to supporthigher education, research and innovation and to develop R&I excellence. The Ministry ofEducation and Science of Latvia is putting a high priority on the collaboration amongmacro-regional stakeholders and is encouraging the use of project results. Increasedmobility and knowledge sharing is an important aspect towards building the capacity ofinstitutions and people.8Latvia Page 10Regarding “Baltic TRAM” project – it establishes structures to serve as an interfacebetween analytical research institutes and companies, the so called Industrial ResearchCenters. Invited companies will receive consultations and access to research facilities totest their ideas. Baltic TRAM is led by DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) indialogue with 14 project partners and 5 associated organizations from across the Baltic SeaRegion (a partner from Latvia is the University of Latvia). The project also enhancesinternational cooperation of universities, research institutes, large scale researchinfrastructures and nation and region wide industries via improved access to analyticalresearch instruments by the national communities.Regarding EUSBSR PA Innovation and PA Education – activities within the project “BalticScience Network” are aimed at overcoming the innovation and performance gap. In theresearch process it is identified that countries in the Baltic Sea Region are facing eithercommon or inter-related challenges in the research and innovation environments. Thus, thereis a potential and need for closer strategic relationships within the joint fields of interest.Specific areas of interest are ought to be defined during year 2018.Regarding the Baltic Sea Science Day - the University of Latvia will be the organizer of theBaltic Sea Science Day in 2019.Regarding improving the mobility possibilities of researchers, teaching professionals andstudents - The project “Baltic Science Network” has been focusing on the mobility withinthe region as one of the key areas to be improved. Recent study “Researcher Mobility Toolsfor the Baltic Sea Region” has concluded that mobility challenges exist in regional, nationaland institutional dimension. Furthermore, cultural or family related challenges stronglyemerge when looking at areas to improve with regard to mobility.The scene of mobility tools often appears scattered, with the existing tools not available orknown for researchers within the target groups. Hence, opportunities in the BSR need to bemade better known with an emphasis on the researchers early in their careers.A recommendation of joint mobility scheme among the involved project partners for theBSR countries is yet to be planned after close identification of the gap areas within themobility landscape.Regarding Sustainable Tourism:28) work towards the vision that the Baltic Sea Region will become the first eco-region inthe world, conceiving the Baltic Sea Region as the first region where ecology andeconomy work together in a balanced and integrated manner to sustain societies andculture.29) ensure that the consequences of tourism are sustainable by adopting models andmethods to save and protect nature and orient work along the principle thatsustainability is the guiding principle and standard practice in all types of tourism in theBaltic Sea region;30) further examine the use of carbon footprints to improve the comparability andattractiveness of tourism products and their ecological and economical impacts; furtherimprove the transparency of tourism products as to their quality in terms ofsustainability, e.g by using common labels and standards;31) promote wastewater facilities at harbours in the Baltic Sea Region;32) improve interrailing, to promote the use of alternative sources of energy and foster asustainable multimodal split (sea, road, rail), and to improve bike infrastructureincluding bicycle stands and Ebike charging stations at transport hubs as examples forecological forms of tourism;9Latvia Page 1133) jointly task a Tourism Transport Impact Assessment Study to analyze continuously theoutput of different political action to increase the level of sustainability;34) counteract the lack of skilled workers in the tourism sector in the Baltic Sea Region, e.g.by establishing an international winter school to increase labour skills, language andintercultural skills;35) fully use the possibilities of the circular and fair sharing economies creating new jobs inthe service sectors;36) foster a joint promotion by private and public stakeholders of the Baltic Sea Region as atourism destination especially in new source markets and to foster cooperation in theregion as a main key for the successful development of the Baltic Sea Region;37) better use the potential of digitalization in promoting sustainable tourism and furthersupport the development of the Baltic Sea Tourism Center into a permanent platform forinformation and exchange of know-how at the transnational level, especially with regardto the long-term priorities of the CBSS;38) sustain a sound environment, safeguarding the recreational quality of natural and man-made landscapes and integrating natural, cultural and human environments within theBSR so that tourism activities do not endanger the natural and cultural heritage of theBSR and instead actively contribute to their preservation;39) promote and sustain the competitive quality and efficiency of the tourism businesswhile also creating satisfactory social conditions for tourists, the workforce and thelocal population;40) involve citizens in the development of tourism strategies.Answer prepared by the Ministry of WelfareRegarding the lack of skilled workers in the tourism sector - there is currently no requestfrom employers in Latvia for such specialists’ training; therefore, professions related totourism are not currently included in the unemployed training lists in Latvia.Answer prepared by the Ministry of EconomicsRegarding creating new jobs in the service sectors - The Ministry of Economics supportsthe development of sharing economies.Regarding promoting the Baltic Sea Region as a tourism destination - included as a task inthe Baltic Nordic Cooperation Plan.Regarding development of the Baltic Sea Tourism Center into a permanent platform –Latvia supports the Baltic Sea Tourism Center. Latvian Investment and DevelopmentAgency is its associated partner.Regarding promoting the tourism business and creating satisfactory social conditions fortourists, workforce and local population, as well as the requirement to have skilled workersin the tourism sector - these recommendations have been integrated in Latvia TourismDevelopment Guidelines 2014-2020.Regarding bike infrastructure - the Ministry of Economics has developed a bicycle trafficplan with activities planned regarding electric bikes. The Ministry of Education andScience is responsible for conducting a survey to clarify the scope of potential electric bikeusers in order to understand the actual popularity of such bikes in Latvia.Answer prepared by the Ministry of TransportRegarding bike infrastructure - a cycling development plan for 2018-2020 has beendeveloped with the aim of integrating cycling in the common transport system andpromoting the use of environmentally friendly means of transport.10Latvia Page 12In 2015 and 2016 approximately 10 km of pedestrian / bicycle roads have been built alongthe state roads, and it is planned to build another 12 km until 2020, with the aim ofimproving road safety in certain sections of the road. However, it must be acknowledgedthat when implementing projects in such small volumes, significant improvements in thebicycle infrastructure on the national road network are not foreseeable. Therefore, it isplanned to carry out a comprehensive study on cycling in the country, obtaining datadescribing cycling and cycling infrastructure at the national level, which would allowplanning further the development of bicycle transport.11LithuaniaLithuania Page 2In addition to the information about the implementation of the Resolution of the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference, which was sent earlier, please find attached the respective information fromthe Lithuanian Ministry of EnvironmentHelsinki Commission (HELCOM) - The Baltic Sea Environment Commission that has been set upunder the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area..This commission acts on the basis of cooperation between Denmark, Estonia, the European Union,Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden in order to protect the Baltic Sea.HELCOM – is the arena in which the nine Baltic coastal states and the European Union work togetherto protect and restore the marine environment of the Baltic Sea HELCOM's vision for the future is ahealthy Baltic Sea environment where marine species, habitats and other biological components arein balance, as well as the good status of the marine environment has been achieved on the basis of theprinciples of sustainable development. The work of this commission is based on the overallenvironmental objectives and actions of the Baltic Sea Region.Taking into account the poor state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem, in 2007 The HELCOM Baltic SeaAction Plan was adopted at the Ministerial Meeting in Krakow. The Baltic Sea action was aimed ataddressing four key challenges in the Baltic Sea: eutrophication, pollution of hazardous chemicals,loss of biodiversity, shipping and other activities in the Baltic Sea.The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan covers the concrete measures for Baltic Sea pollutionproblems. These measures are included in Lithuanian legislation and strategic documents. Lithuaniais actively involved in the work of this regional sea convention, because it is highly contributes to theimplementation of EU legislation such as EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, EU Strategy forthe Baltic Sea Region and the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 goals.At the next Ministerial Meeting of HELCOM to be held in Brussels on 6 March 2018 and hosted bythe EU, the Environment Ministers and Commissioner of the Contracting Parties of the Baltic MarineEnvironment Protection Commission will assess the progress made towards reaching a goodenvironmental status in the Baltic Sea by 2021 and adopt a Ministerial Declaration.The objectives of the Ministerial Declaration, a non-binding instrument that contains politicalcommitments, are to:a) reaffirm Contracting Parties' commitment to implement the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) agreedin 2007 and set out the vision to achieve a healthy Baltic Sea by 2021;b) start the update of the BSAP (the aim is to adopt the updated BSAP at the next Ministerial Meetingin 2021);c) provide the Ministers' vision on a series of new issues, not yet or partially tackled in the currentBSAP, such as marine litter, underwater noise, nutrient recycling, and regional ocean governance.With review and update of the Baltic Sea Action Plan is planned to further strengthen HELCOM as:1. an environmental policy maker for the Baltic Sea area by developing common environmentalobjectives and actions;2. an environmental focal point providing information about the state of and trends in the marineenvironment, the efficiency of measures to protect it and common initiatives and positions, which canform the basis for decision-making in other international fora;3. a body for developing, according to the specific needs of the Baltic Sea, recommendations of itsown and recommendations supplementary to measures imposed by other international organisations;Lithuania Page 34. a supervisory body dedicated to ensuring that HELCOM environmental standards are fullyimplemented by all parties throughout the Baltic Sea and its catchment area;5. a coordinating body, ascertaining multilateral response in case of major maritime incidents.Lithuania Page 4LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS UZSIENIO REIKALŲ MINISTERIJAMINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIABudget institution, J.Tumo-Vaizganto str. 2, LT-01511 Vilnius, Lithuania, tel.: + 370 5 236 2444, + 370 5 236 2400,fax + 370 5 231 3090, e-mail urm@urm.lt, http://www.urm.ltData are accumulated and stored in the Register of Legal Entities, code 188613242Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly -03-2018 No.Citadeles iela 2-616Riga, LV-1010, LatviaRE: No 1/0118-4 from 9 January 2018Upon the request of the Baltic Assembly to inform about the measures or actions, which havebeen taken in support of the 26th BSPC Resolution, herewith we are sending summary of theinformation submitted by the ministries of the Republic of Lithuania.Enclosed: Summary, 8 pages.Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs AlbinasZananavičiusSaulius Butkus, +370 70652480, saulius.butkus@urm.ltLithuania Page 5SummaryLithuania actively participates in the projects and activities of the EU SBSR and other regionalorganizations, first and foremost the Council of the Baltic Sea States, its expert groups, and itsstrategic partners.Ministry of Transport and CommunicationsMinistry is actively participating in the activities of the regional formats of the Baltic Sea Region,such as Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics and EU Strategy for the BalticSea Region (PA Transport), as well as supporting other stakeholders and actors of the transportsector taking part in a number of projects developed in the framework of those formats andVASAB, HELCOM, CBSS.Regarding Democratic Participation and Digital Age a renewed Information Society DevelopmentProgramme for 2014–2020 “Digital Agenda for the Republic of Lithuania was adopted inDecember 2017.The purpose of this Programme is to define the goals and objectives of the information societydevelopment (to maximize the economic advantages provided by information and communicationtechnologies, primarily the Internet as a very important tool for economic, social and culturalactivities, enabling the circulation of advanced electronic services, work, access to entertainment,social interaction and free expression of opinion).The strategic goal of this Programme is, by using the opportunities created by the ICT, to improvethe life quality for the Lithuanian population, increase the efficiency of companies and by the year2020 to achieve that at least 85% of the Lithuanian population would use the Internet, and 95% ofthe companies would use high-speed Internet.It is necessary to achieve six main goals in order to implement the strategic goal of the Programme:1) to reduce the digital inequality of the Lithuanian people by encouraging them to acquire moreknowledge and skills required for safe, resourceful and beneficial use of the ICT;2) to develop secure, advanced public and administrative electronic services convenient to thepopulation and businesses, and encourage their use;3) to promote the Lithuanian culture and language through ICT by creating publicly and culturallyrelevant digital content based on the Lithuanian written and spoken language interfaces, and bydeveloping digital products and electronic services;4) to make the data of state and municipal authorities and agencies available to the public andbusiness, encourage the use of such data for innovative solutions and e-service creation, also createfavourable conditions for businesses to implement and use ICT to improve their efficiency andcompetitiveness;5) to ensure the development of geographically uniform high-speed broadband infrastructure andencourage the use of online services;6) to ensure the development of secure, reliable and interoperable ICT infrastructure.An inter-institutional action plan for the implementation of the Programme is undergoing. Itincludes specific information society development measures intended to help the achievement ofthe goals of the Programme.What concerns improved interrailing, to promote the use of alternative sources of energy and fostera sustainable multimodal split (sea, road, rail), and to improve bike infrastructure for ecologicalforms of tourism, the Lithuanian municipalities, are preparing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans,which mostly focus on bicycle infrastructure – new routes, parking places in public areas, publice-bike charging points, bike-sharing schemes.2Lithuania Page 6Moreover, Lithuania has drawn up a project with 3 Mn EUR of EU funding for thedevelopment of electric vehicle infrastructure along the national main roads and in cities.The objective of this project is to promote the use of electric vehicles and to reduce theenvironmental effect of transport. In 2017, 10 electric high-power charging posts were installedon the major highway of the country. There is a plan to install 14 additional electric vehicle-charging posts and at least 26 high-power access points on Lithuanian highways in the beginningof 2018. It is expected to have at least 100 normal- and high- power stations for electric vehiclesinstalled in cities and resorts, and 28 high power stations on highways by the year 2022.Further, the LNG cluster (founders of the cluster – JSC “Lithuanian railways”, Stevedoringcompanies in Klaipėda seaport and two universities - Vilnius Gediminas Technical and Klaipėda’sUniversity) is working• on design and production of the LNG-powered railway locomotive, as a first stage to be usedin Klaipėda Sea Port for internal logistics of freight wagons;• on development and production of Liquid Intelligent Tank – smart LNG shipping containerfor LNG storage and transportation by road, railway, water transport.The deployment of the refueling points for LNG will be adequately coordinated with theimplementation of the TEN-T Core Network and growing LNG demand.The Lithuanian LNG cluster aims at establishing Lithuania as the LNG technology and distributioncenter in the Baltic Sea Region by developing knowledge, technology and business partnerships.Ministry of DefenceRegarding Democratic Participation and Digital Age (Refers to Resolution‘s No.15):- Propaganda cannot and should not be countered with anti-propaganda. Recommendedapproaches are: internal partnerships, publicity, transparency and education instead of activecounter-propaganda or attempts to engage in open media warfare.- Political leaders need to acknowledge the threat.- Investigate and expose the hostile activities in the national context. Transparency is thebest tool of the democracy, this is the only effective and perfectly legitimate way to present thepublic with the full scope of this malign threat. Expose its messages, its channels, its tools, itsspeakers, its methods, explain why is it a disinformation. Exposing is key. The more people areaware of precise examples of messages and tools of the disinformation campaign, the less peoplefall for it.- Research how far they already got. When looking at the way how these long-term hostileefforts change public opinion, states should conduct targeted research to obtain clear data on whichsegments of their society believe in the most common disinformation narratives. Conduct focusedopinion polls that would indicate the success of the disinformation campaign. We can also conducta solid audience analysis and find out who are the people that are most prone to disinformation,and what is the best way to explain to them that it is better to accept the facts than to hold counter-factual beliefs. If we conduct these opinion polls regularly, we can see what are the trends, whetherour counter-measures are successful, or not, and whether the organisers of the disinformationcampaign change approach and focus on new topics or new audiences.- Set up a working group of like-minded countries. While this complex threat can bedefeated only by collective action, countries concerned with foreign aggression need to set upmechanisms such as a working group to start taking a real joint action, such as real-timecoordination of messaging.- Spead the understanding outside the specialist community. there is an urgent need todeliver the basic knowledge concerning threat assessment, understanding the modus operandi andreasonable policy options to people outside the specialist community.- Strong support of investigative journalism and fact-checking & myth-busting activities.- Provide short-mid term grants to individual journalists and investigative groups onspecific topics or periods of time.3Lithuania Page 7- Provide long-term grants for in-house fact-checkers in major publishing houses inselected vulnerable countries.- Provide long-term grants to fact-checking organisations.- Contract selected group of proven think-tankers which have experience with productionof empirical studies in this field and have them prepare methodological handbook for practicalresearch in this field, including definitions, criteria and methods.- Transparent financing of political parties is a key preventive tool.- Transparency of ownership and financing of media is a must.- Disinfo-countering NGO initiatives need to be financially supported.-Think-tanks should present scenarios of future development to make states prepare forthem.- Countries could consider limits on foreign media ownership, or on control by personsfrom countries that lack democratic standing or media freedom.- Civil society can be faster and more effective than most governments in identifying,countering, and discrediting foreign propaganda.- Ask users to flag suspicious news sites and stories, which would then be checked bycompanies’ internal “newsroom” editors.- Governments, civil-society groups, industry, and media should raise social awarenessabout how disinformation works and how to identify and expose it.- Governments should implement internal training and education courses for civilservants, election officials, and diplomats on how to identify disinformation, reduce its spread, andreport it internally.- Civic-education and media-literacy courses should be a driving force in response todisinformation. Education should include a focus on digital literacy, including the ability to thinkcritically about online and social-media content. Civil-society groups and tech firms should reachout to local communities to offer courses and workshops at schools, community colleges, anduniversities.Ministry of EconomyRegarding the Sustainable tourism (Refers to Resolution‘s No. 28,32,35,37,39,40)Lithuania works actively in the field of sustainable tourism. In 2015, Lithuania was elected torepresent Europe in the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability of the United Nations WorldTourism Organisation (UNWTO). The Committee’s activities mainly deal with the 10YFPSustainable Tourism Programme.At the 70th General Assembly, the United Nations designated 2017 as the International Year ofSustainable Tourism for Development. This was a unique opportunity to raise awareness of thecontribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the public, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism acatalyst for positive change. The International Year aimed to support a change in policies, businesspractices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute tothe SDGs.Within the context of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, Lithuaniaorganised the 5th Lithuanian Tourism Forum. 250 participants from Lithuania discussed issuesrelated to sustainability. During the Forum, the 1st National Sustainability Awards took place. TheSustainable Tourism Competition aims at turning the society‘s attention to the topic of sustainabletourism development and will involve the tourism industry, the Lithuanian community as well astourism information centres in competition in five categories.Seeking to identify the main problems by developing sustainable tourism in the country, theMinistry of Economy has ordered the ‘Development of Sustainable Tourism in Lithuania’ surveywhich was carried out by young professionals under the special ‘Create for Lithuania’ programmewho were working in cooperation with the Tourism Policy Division of the Ministry of Economyon the survey for 6 months (10/2016–03/2017). The survey disclosed the areas where the4Lithuania Page 8implementation of sustainable tourism goals needs to be strengthened, for example: accessibility,small business development in regions, better cooperation between tourism information centersand tourism business. The survey results were used to prepare the Guidelines for the SustainableTourism and the Sustainable Tourism Indicators (for measuring sustainable tourism in the wholesystem of the tourism indicators). The target groups of the Guidelines are the Ministry of theEconomy, the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy,municipalities, tourism information centers as well as the tourism business sector. We hope theseguidelines will help achieve better sustainable tourism policy planning at national as well as locallevels and will tackle very specific problems.During the ‘Sustainable Tourism Development in Lithuania’ tourism seminar organised inNovember 2017, the Ministry of Economy presented the results of the Survey to representativesof municipalities responsible for the tourism sector and to the tourism information centers.Mobilising the full potential of sustainable tourism is one of the key pillars of action behind theaction plan of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in the policy area of tourism. Against thebackground of the Global Agenda 2030 and the adoption of the UN’s Sustainable DevelopmentGoals the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) member states have recently renewed theircommitment to sustainable development in the ‘Baltic 2030 Declaration’.In 2017, Lithuania started the implementation of the ‘From SDGs towards sustainable Tourism inthe Baltic Sea Region’ project. The project will track down the status quo of sustainable tourismin the Baltic Sea Region, identify best practices, trigger processes, gaps and differences in orderto develop, provide and communicate solutions. The project is supposed to be only a first formalstep towards a more systematic approach to promoting sustainability in the tourism sector: aflagship process in the frame of EUSBSR’s PA Tourism, which aims at really achieving impact.The project partners are: the Ministry of Economics, Employment and Health Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; the Estonian Rural Tourism Organisation; City of Turku. The duration of the project— from 01/08/2018 to– 31/ 07/ 2018.Rural tourism is already an important part of the European tourism sector. In 2018, Lithuaniaorganises the European Congress on Rural Tourism. The event is dedicated to the Centenary ofLithuania and to the EU-China Tourism Year.The European Congress on Rural Tourism is organised in the EU since 2003 and takes place every2–3 years in different countries of Europe. This year, the Congress will focus on theinternationalisation of rural tourism in the European and worldwide context, alongside thefollowing main blocks: International markets and sales: what does the customer expect andhow to reach him; Human resources: skills, competences, forms of employment; Opportunities forvalorisation and added value of local assets through international rural tourism; Product definitionand development.This event will be organised in a close cooperation with the UNWTO and the EUROGITES(European Rural Tourism Association).(Refers to Resolution‘s No. 36)According to the official agreement (02/06/2002) among the Governments of the Republic ofLatvia, Lithuania and Estonia on Co–operation in the Field of Tourism, three Baltic States startedits activities at the Joint Tourism Committee (JBTC). At the beginning of its activities, the JBTCfocused on cooperation in European markets. In 2010, the JBTC started its activities in long haulmarkets.In October 2018, the Baltic Connecting workshop will be organised in Lithuania and will focuson the 100 years anniversary of the restoration of 3 Baltic States’ independence. The BalticConnecting is a platform for business contacts between Baltic tourism business representativesand tourism operators from long haul markets such as Japan, China, the USA and South Korea.Today, all three Baltic countries effectively cooperate in long haul markets – China, Japan, theUSA, partly in Germany and South Korea. The united activities encompass participation atinternational tourism exhibitions, road shows, the development of joint publications, theorganisation of FAM trips for journalists and tour operators.5Lithuania Page 9Regarding Innovative science and researchAgency of Science, Innovations and Technologies (MITA), Latvian agency of Investments andDevelopment (LIAA) and “Enterprise Estonia” are coordinating draft memorandum oncooperation. According to this memorandum it is planned to work out the map of innovationsecosystem in the Baltic States, organize the sharing of good practice in the field of promotinginnovations and the events aimed to popularization of innovations. MITA also administratesfinancial instrument of programme “Innovation Express” promoting the internationality of SMEvia clusterization. In 2017 to implement projects of Lithuanian association of food exporters(cluster “Smart Food”), JSC “De future” (Health cluster iViT) and Lithuanian association ofengineering industry (Cluster of plastics) 30,4 thousand euros was allocated. In the end of 2017the implementation of another four projects was approved. The project of Nordic council ofMinisters “Innovation Express Pilot” provided financial support to the participation of therepresentatives of 5 clusters in the events “Cluster internationalisation: experiences on sustainablemodels and building longer term partnerships” organised by the programme “BSR Stars” on 8-9June 2017 in Oslo (Norway) and on 19-20 September 2017 in Stutgart (Germany). Since 2016MITA together with other 5 partners from the Baltic Sea region are implementing the project“Stimulating smart specialization ecosystem through engaging SMEs in open innovationprocesses” supported by “Interreg” programme via “BSR Stars S3”.Ministry of Education and ScienceRegarding Innovative science and researchThe Baltic States closely cooperate in the field of research infrastructures. There arepublicly available lists of open access centres (research infrastructure, which can be used both forscientific and business purposes by anyone) in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. This informationshould encourage scientists from the Baltic States to use each other‘s infrastructure and reduce theneed to have the exact same facilities at the home country. At the same time, it should help to makebetter decisions on future investments in research infrastructure.Link:https://mita.lrv.lt/en/national-r-d-programmes/open-access-resources-and-services/useful-linksEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania continue their close cooperation towards building acommon higher education and science area to boost research excellence, innovation, investmentand overall competitiveness of the region. The main undertakings are the Baltic Bonus programfor the Horizon 2020, the Interreg project “Baltic Science Network” and Baltic ResearchProgramme aimed to support regional research cooperation and Baltic-Nordic synergy.In the 23rd Meeting of the Baltic Ministers of Education and Science (8-9 June 2017, Cēsis, Latvia)was reached an agreement to continue Baltic Bonus initiative which enables to provide additionalsupport to national HORIZON 2020 proposal preparation, where partners are from other BalticStates. A conceptual agreement was reached on exploring possibilities how to expand Baltic Bonusinitiative by developing a closer cooperation regarding the shared usage of research infrastructure(incl. using existing instruments like ESIF programmes, INTERREG projects “Baltic ScienceNetwork” and “Baltic TRAM”).The Ministry of Education and Science together with the Higher EducationMonitoring and Analysis Centre (MOSTA) participate as partners in the INTERREG Baltic SeaRegion funded project Baltic Science Network (BSN). Among the deliverables of the Lithuanianpartners (actors), mention should be made of the following studies:• Overview of the Best Practices of Researchers’ Mobility Programmes;• Study on Research; Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region: Existing Networks,Obstacles and Ways Forward - Executive Summary;• Study on Research Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region: Existing Networks,Obstacles and Ways Forward - Full Report;• Challenges to Researchers' Mobility in the Baltic Sea Region.6Lithuania Page 10• In addition, the Ministry of Education and Science has created at its website a pagespecifically dedicated to the BSN project, which can be accessed athttp://www.smm.lt/web/lt/baltijos-mokslo-tinklas.On the basis of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021, Estonia, Latvia andLithuania have agreed to establish a joint Baltic Research Programme, in response to commonsocietal and research challenges. The Baltic Research Programme will contribute to thestrengthening of bilateral relations between the Donor States and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuaniaand will position the Baltic countries better in the Baltic Sea Region, in the Baltic-Nordic ResearchArea, as well as at European and international level. The Baltic Research Programme will offerbroad and sustainable cooperation opportunities between researchers and research institutions inthe Baltic States, donor states, and third countries. It is hoped that cooperation between the threeBaltic countries in joint implementation of a programme will facilitate integration between thethree countries in research funding and research management and prepare the ground for futureBaltic research funding cooperation. A joint Baltic Research Programme Committee will providestrategic view and guidance of the Baltic Research Programme.The Research Council of Lithuania participates in implementation of the BONUS programme andis a member of BONUS EEIG. BONUS is the joint Baltic Sea research and developmentprogramme, was started by the BONUS member states together with the EU as a Treaty on theFunctioning of the European Union (TFEU) Article 185 activity. Lithuanian institutions currentlyimplement 3 scientific projects under BONUS programme, implementation of 2 more projects hasalready been completed.Lithuania puts continued efforts to promote the development of marine research and to ensuresustainable resources in order to further innovations. Association “Baltic valley” operating withinthe Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley) for Lithuanian Maritime Sector actsas a center for coordination of research, academic and business activities and ensures open accessto its participants. The aim of Integrated Marine Science, Studies, and Business Centre (Valley) isto create a center for the development of Lithuanian maritime sector:• to create a modern research infrastructure for the maritime research, academic studies,technological development and the needs of various state institutions. To consolidate themost qualified researchers;• to update and modernize the infrastructure of university-level marine and maritime studies;• to create conditions for cooperation between maritime business and research/academicinstitutions, as well as for the emergence of knowledge-based enterprises relying on thecommercialization of scientific output;• to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian marine science and maritime technologieson the international market.Marine Research Institute (subdivision of Klaipėda University) was established to ensure properoperation of the scientific infrastructure of Marine Valley and open access to the R&D servicesfor internal and external users, to facilitate science and business cooperation through high-levelscientific and technological research. Main activities of the Institute are R&D in marineenvironment and maritime technologies.Two Lithuanian universities – Vilnius University and Kaunas University of Technology – aremembers of the Baltic University Programme (BUP), which strives to find innovative ways ofinteraction among universities and between universities and society. The BUP is a network ofabout 230 universities and other institutes of higher learning in the Baltic Sea region. The BUPfocuses on questions of sustainable development, environmental protection, and democracy in theBaltic Sea region. Eight more Lithuanian universities cooperate with BUP as participatinguniversities.Ministry of InteriorRegarding Democratic Participation and Digital Age (Refers to Resolution‘s No.8)7Lithuania Page 11The Ministry of Interior is partly involved through the implementation of the project “Lithuaniaon line: effective, secure and responsible Lithuanian digital society”. The goal of this project is toreduce digital exclusion and promote the residents to use electronic services, electronicidentification means and electronic signature. The project is coordinated by the Informationsociety development committee under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (partners –the Ministry of Interior, the Communications Regulatory Authority, the Association “Langasį ateitį”, National Martynas Mazvydas library). The ministerial declaration adopted on 25 April2017 by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Aland, Estonia,Latvia and Lithuania states as one of its policy goals is to establish cross-border digital serviceinfrastructures or integrate the relevant national infrastructures with the aim to support freemovement of people, goods, services capital and data. The work shall focus on removing technicaland legal barriers, particularly in the following areas: enabling unique identity number usageacross borders and facilitating cooperation between national infrastructures for the use electronicauthentication in accordance with the eIDAS-regulation. There is a plan from 1 January 2018 tillJune 2020 to implement project “Interconnection of Nordic and Baltic EID Systems”. Lithuania isgoing to join this project. It means that by this Resolution’s No 9 and 13 would be partlyimplemented.Ministry of JusticeRegarding Cooperation in the Region, Democratic Participation and Digital Age (Refers toResolution‘s No.1,6,10,15)The Ministers of Justice of the Baltic States closely cooperate implementing their Declarationsigned in 2015. The goal of the Declaration is to evaluate the damage done by the Sovietoccupation, claim for compensation and international assessment of the Soviet crimes.On 29 December 2017 the Ministry of Justice submitted to the Government the draft law onEstablishment and implementation of Internet voting system. The Government is planning to workout and approve all necessary ammendments to the elections laws till 31 December 2019.Lithuania continues to carry out activity aimed to reduce all forms of corruption and bribery. On28 November 2017 the Parliament of Lithuania passed the law on Informants protection. It willenter into force from 1 January 2019.The Parliament of Lithuania approved the concept of Public judge institute in the courts(Resolution No XII-2676 from 11 October 2016). There is a belief that this institute would increasepublic trust in courts and legal system, promote the openness in the work of courts, legally educatethe society In order to implement the provisions of legal regulation, proposed in the concept, theConstitution and other legal acts should be changed or ammended. It is planned to establish theinstitute of public judge in 2020 (QIII). The Government is going to legitimate the individualconstitutional complaint in 2019 (QIII). This should ensure more effective defence of violatedrights and interests of person protected by law.In order to reinforce the protection from hate crimes by means of Criminal law, on 4 May 2017the ammendment to the Criminal Code entered into force. The ammendment expanded thecomposition of a criminal offense – now there is a criminal liability provided for discriminationon grounds of age and disability, as well as for discrimination or incitement to hatred against thesegroups.Commiting of administrative offense by hate speech for a person or dicriminating a person onground of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, confession, beliefs or other is anaggravating circumstance of administrative liability pursuant the Code of Administrative Offenses.On 15 May 2017 Action plan of Non-discrimination promotion in 2017-2019 was approved. Theplan includes the improvement of the legal base, public information and education, the researchand reviews of non-discrimination promotion and strengthening of the inter-institutionalcooperation.8Lithuania Page 12The service of Journalist Ethics Ombudsman conducts expert examination of content in publicinformation regarding an incitement to hatred, organizes the trainings for public informationdisseminators, where the fight against the language of hate is discussed. The service of JournalistEthics Ombudsman also cooperates with the Association of internet media in terms ofidentification and elimination of hate speech. The education about the holocaust and theupbringing of tolerance are included into the education programmes of high schools in Lithuania.On 31 May 2016 the Conduct code of fighting against the incitement to hatred in the internet wasapproved between the European Commission and IT companies „Facebook“, „Google“,„Youtube“, „Microsoft“ and „Twitter“. The EU member states committed to appoint nationalcontact persons, who will directly cooperate with IT companies considering the reports about thecontent with an incitement to hatred. The representative of the service of Journalist EthicsOmbudsman was appointed as a contact person in Lithuania.9Mecklenburg-VorpommernMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 2Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 3LANDTAG MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Except from Drucksache 7/1945neu7th election period 29.03.2018Excerpt from the informationby the Governmentstatement by the Government Mecklenburg-Vorpommern about the implementation of theresolution for the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (Hamburg, 3rd – 5th September 2017)Forwarded by letter from the Chief of the State Chancellery from 28th March 2018; in charge is theMinistry of the Interior and Europe.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 4Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeInformation of the Government Mecklenburg-Vorpommern about theimplementation of 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference ResolutionWith this statement the Government Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reports about theimplementation of the 26th BSPC resolution from 3rd to 5th September 2017 inHamburg. The Government meets with this statement the request of the parliamentto convey a report before 31st March 2018.1 The statement only covers the fields ofcompetence of the Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and field of overall importancefor the Land.The participants, elected representatives from the Baltic Sea Region States,assembling in Hamburg, Germany, 3-5 September 2017, call on thegovernments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU,Regarding Cooperation in the Region, toPara Conference Resolution Statement of the GovernmentMecklenburg-Vorpommern1 intensify the cooperation in the The state Mecklenburg-VorpommernBaltic Sea Region including the participates in many ways in theNorthern Dimension, the EU cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region This occurs at a regional leveland the Strategy for the socio- especially in the context of itseconomic development of the partnerships with the PolishNorth-West Federal district of voivodeships West Pomerania andRussia in addition to other regional Pomerania, the region of South Westactors by identifying common Finland and the Leningrad Region aspriorities and developing respective wells as with the membership in theregional strategies and action plans Baltic Sea Commission of thein fields of common interest and Conference of Peripheral Maritimemutual benefits. Since macro- Regions of Europe (CPMR).regional strategies gather The state contributes to maintainstakeholders and actors from all continuity of cooperation in politicallysectors and levels of governance, difficult times by the involvement ofmacro-regional strategies offer numerous actors from Mecklenburg-efficient instruments to improve Vorpommern (for example therelations between neighbouring institutions of higher education,countries and thereby support BioCon Valley GmbH) in the cross-European Neighbourhood Policy; border EU cooperation programs aswell as by active commitment to theimplementation process of the EUStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region,especially in the policy sector oftourism.1 see Landtagsdrucksache 7/1214 of 2nd November 2017 in conjunction with Landtagsdrucksache 6/4498 of15th September 20152Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 5Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu2 further strengthen and develop The state government ambitiouslyHELCOM as the coordinator of the implements the HELCOM Baltic Searegional implementation of ocean- Action Plan in the context of ist staterelated goals of the 2030 responsibilities at the side of theSustainable Development Agenda federal government and engagesof the United Nations, through the actively in the corresponding workingstrengthened implementation of the groups. The state government willHELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan take part in the renewal of the Balticand further commitment to achieve Sea Action Plan together with thea Baltic Sea in good environmental federal government.status by 2021 and if applicable, by The Ministry of Energy, Infrastructurerenewing the Baltic Sea Action Plan and Digitalization Mecklenburg-in line with the UN Sustainable Vorpommern is involved together withDevelopment Agenda with a time the federal government in theperspective until 2030; HECLOM/VASAB Maritime SpatialPlanning Working Group. For themoment, the mandate for the workinggroup has been extended to 2019.Policies for the implementation of theecosystem approach in MaritimeSpatial Planning have been adopted in2017.The state government further engagesin the development of a sustainabletourism in the Baltic Sea Region at alllevels, regarding ecological,economical as well as social aspects.Thus, the in summer 2017 approvedproject “From SDGs to sustainabletourism in the Baltic Sea Region”,supported by the Project SupportFacility of the Council of the Baltic SeaStates, is an important signal. TheTourismusverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is lead partner of theproject and the Ministry of Economics,Employment and Health one of theproject partners.3Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 6Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode3 support HELCOM in elaborating a The state government activelyregional action plan on underwater supports the federal government fornoise as well as in implementing the development andthe marine litter regional action plan implementation of the Regionaland in its battle against Action Plans of HELCOM oneutrophication; concrete measures underwater noise and marine litterto reduce the input of plastics into (including plastics). The Ministry ofthe marine environment should be Agriculture and the Environmenttaken on; Mecklenburg-Vorpommern tooknumerous measures in theimplementation of the EuropeanWater Framework Directive in thecatchment area of the Baltic Sea tobattle eutrophication. More will followgradually.4 support the significance of the The participation in EU, federal orScience, Research and Innovation state programmes (among othersAgenda as it is outlined by CBSS structural funds, INTERREGScience Ministers’ Conference held programmes, the EU Researchin 2016 in the Chair’s Conclusions: Framework Programme “HORIZONBaltic Science: Renewing the 2020”, ERASMUS+) with a strategicCommitment to Science/Research focus on the upcoming fundingJoint Actions in the Baltic Sea period needs a strengthenedRegion; cooperation between politics,research and economy in interest ofthe citizens. This succeeded forexample in the project “BalticScience Network” (see alsoexplanations at number 17).Generally, there is an excellentuniversity and researchinfrastructure in the Baltic SeaRegion. However, the framework fora deepened cooperation of ourresearchers has to be optimizedfurther to become internationallycompetitive and to maintain thisstatus in some areas.It is important to bundle thestrengths and to outline a joint cross-border research policy for the BalticSea Region. This could increase thechances for example to raise EUfunding together and therefore tostrengthen the Baltic Sea Regionthrough research.22 In the following five areas a strengthened international cooperation is seen as profitable:1. Scientific exchange (exchange programmes for students/researchers);2. Development of transnational research strategies, e. g. in the scientific structural research;3. Transnational use of large-scale research facilities;4Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 7Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu5 elaborate a common programme The policy sector of tourism of thebased on a strategy within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea,framework of the CBSS to develop whose coordinator is the Ministry ofsustainable tourism in the Baltic Economy, Employment and HealthSea Region, considering the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, supportsfollowing aspects the idea of a common Baltic Sea• the reduction as far as brand. It is agreed between thepossible of obstacles to cross- different interest groups that theborder travelling to promote the Baltic Sea Region should befreedom of travel including developed as a destinationpromotion of the local border traffic regarding culture and natureregime on outer borders of the EU tourism. Projects like the “Baltic Sea• facilitating border and visa Tourism Center” (BSTC) in Rostockregime for youth and organized support this process oftourist groups professionalization. More are in• the improvement of preparation or in applicationsustainable transport and tourism process.infrastructure• support for the idea of BalticSea Region States creating acommon Baltic Sea Brand, basedon cultural and natural heritage, tostrengthen tourism competitiveness• the improvement of traveloptions especially for young people(e.g. interferry);4. Overcoming of the historical innovation and research gap between the South-West and the North-East ofthe region;5. Raising of funding, for example of the European Union5Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 8Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeRegarding Democratic Participation and the Digital Age, toPara Conference Resolution Statement of the GovernmentMecklenburg-Vorpommern6 further improve and develop An important concern for the statemeans of democratic participation, government is to furtherly improvee.g. through transparency, the democratic participation ofcomprehensive information, citizens. The coalition has agreed ingovernment accountability and number 436 of the coalitionother instruments of citizen agreement 2016-2021 between SPDparticipation; and CDU for the 7th legislative periodof the state parliament ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern to realizereferendums on significant questions.The state government therebycontinues the strengthening of directdemocracy, which had begun alreadyin the last legislative period withlowering the quorums for plebiscitesand referendums.In the moment, the state governmentis examining the introduction of anew form of citizen participation withplebiscites. This will extend thepossibilities of direct democraticparticipation for the citizens.7 commit to strengthening the The establishment of a youth foruminvolvement of youth in all areas of can reinforce measures which aresociety, including, but not limited already initiated in the respectiveto, government, science, education countries/states. Youth participationand culture. To this end, the BSPC and youth work are a significant partwill continue to work towards of the youth policy strategy of theestablishing a Baltic Sea-wide state government.youth forum; The “Beteiligungswerkstatt”(participation workshop), funded bythe state government, supports theparticipation of children andadolescents in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2001. Theobjective is to support an overallunderstanding for the participation ofyoung people in school, leisure timeand surroundings and to monitorparticipation processesprofessionally. Additionally, the stategovernment is working on a youthparticipation fund to expandparticipation in new ways.6Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 9Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu8 stimulate a common dialogue and To guarantee fundamental rights,debate in the Baltic Sea region on democracy and the rule of law in theethical conditions for the digital world is a basic condition fordigitization of states and societies all digitalization processes andand the possibilities of a common therefore belongs to the core of thelegal framework in this policy field. digitalization policy of the stateThe task of the Parliaments is to government. The parliamentaryguarantee fundamental rights, discussion about this is explicitlydemocracy and the rule of law in welcomed.the digital world as well.Parliaments and governments areencouraged to ensure that there isno gap between the digital societyand the state;9 work with the aim to make the Digital Technology is a central part ofBaltic sea region a global political communication. Workfrontrunner in making new digital processes, economic frameworktechnologies work for democracy conditions and professions in theand political development; political environment have changedfundamentally due to digitalization.This changing process shows for onein the central importance of theinternet and digital services for theorganisation and communication forpolitics through parties as well asthrough politicians and citizens. Forthe other the internet is an importantaccess to political information for agrowing number of citizens.However, basic condition for the useof digital technologies is thecomprehensive availability of a high-performance and future-proof digitalinfrastructure. The state ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern thereforefunds the comprehensive broadbandexpansion in 93 project regions inMecklenburg-Vorpommern togetherwith the federal government with intotal more than 1 billion Euro.10 stimulate policies to enhance The well-advanced development ofdigitization of democratic activity internet-based realizations ofand processes with the aim to elections and votes especially in theincrease public participation in Baltic countries is followed withdecision-making through sharing of interest. As far as it is compatibletechnology and best practices by with the German constitution law andgovernments and parliaments; the jurisprudence of the FederalConstitution Court, this developmentcould also be an example forMecklenburg-Vorpommern.7Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 10Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode11 draw attention to training and The state government welcomeseducation for the youth with regard these efforts. The digitalization is alsoto digitalization opportunities in present in education. In the moment,order to foster a competent and only one quarter of pupils in Europeresponsible use of the evolving is taught by teachers with digitaltechnological innovations - thereby competences. Therefore, it iscontributing to democratic absolutely necessary to acquire thesocieties in the digital age; essential competences for theinvolved people at all levels of theeducation system. In this context, acommon digital platform on EU levelor a digital classroom as an effectiveand fast answer to the challenges ofdigitalization is needed. This cannotonly eliminate fears, but contributesto high-quality education institutions,which want to extend their educationoffer for distance learningpossibilities.At the suggestion of the DeutscheGesellschaft für wissenschaftlicheWeiterbildung und Fernstudium(DGWF) e. V. (German Associationfor Scientific Education and DistanceLearning), the European ParliamentCommittee for Culture and Educationhas during the last months intensivelyaddressed academic furthereducation and distance education.Assisted by the DGWF, an initiativereport about this topic with the title:“Report on academic further anddistance education as part of theEuropean lifelong learning strategy”has been written for the first time andhas been adopted by the EuropeanParliament the 12. September 2017with a clear majority of 577 votes.The report includes over 70recommendations for actions withwhich the European Parliament callson the European Commission tomake academic further and distanceeducation an integral part of aEuropean strategy for life-longlearning.Central recommendations are thefollowing:- recognition of academic furtherand distance education as a8Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 11Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neupublic assignment of universities;- creation of better financingconditions;- stronger interlocking ofprofessional and academic furthereducation in consideration tocommon EU-wide qualitystandards as well as- explicit embedding of academicfurther and distance educationinto a European digital strategy.The opportunities resulting fromdigitalization are of particularimportance here. Innovative digitalformats can support modular andself-determined learning andtherefore enable learning withoutsocial pressure.An interactive mediation of learningcontent can potentially attract widergroups than until now for academicfurther and distance education. 312 understand state coordination of The state government has noinnovation policies in terms of a objections.social progress and not only as atechnological process;13 support the social partners in the The state government is working outBaltic Sea Region in their pursuit strategies about the effects ofto use the chances of digitalization digitalization, in particular of economyfor decent and sustainable working 4.0 for the state, its economy and theand living conditions; social life together. At the same time,the state government coordinatesthese strategies. Objective isespecially the initiation of pilotprojects in the economic sector toback up the introduction ofdigitalization projects in enterprises.Measures for the consideration andstrengthening of the interests ofemployees are addressed in doingso.3 See also coalition agreement 2016-2021 between SPD and CDU for the 7th legislative period of theparliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, numbers 215 and 216 and the strategy of the Kultusministerkonferenz“Education in the digital world”.9Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 12Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode14 draw special attention to the The digitalization is the essentialgender and generation aspects of drive of the future and not onlydigital innovation and the concerns the professionalconsequent societal changes; environment but all societal,economic and social aspects.Digitalization will not only change theprofessional environment and theprofessions, but also the kind ofinformation and its availability as wellas forms of services and value-addedchains. The people who have alwaysfavoured technology and who are“digital natives” will have anadvantage. The state governmentsees the need here to secure ageneral, equal and gender-independent participation. For thispurpose, the state government willagree a joint digitalization strategy.This is also explicitly welcomed fromthe viewpoint of women and equalitypolitics. The working world 4.0 offersfor men and women chances as wellas risks: for one the requirements ofa digitalized working environmentmust find their way into schooleducation and thereupon into acliché-free professional orientation assoon as possible. For the other, thedigitalization offers women and menin many professional fieldsopportunities of mobile working andtherefore a better compatibility ofprofessional and private life.10Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 13Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu15 bearing in mind the importance of The criminal reaction to „hatefreedom of expression, explore speech“ and „fake news“ lies in thelegal possibilities and a common responsibility of the federalapproach to react against “Hate government.Speech” and “Fake News”; The topic “hate criminality” in itsvarious forms has been frequentlyaddressed for some years at theconferences of the Ministers ofJustice and the conferences of theSecretaries of State for Justice.Proposals aiming at an improvedbattle against hate criminality havebeen supported by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern participated forexample in the Federal-State workinggroup “Contemporary and meaningfulrecording of hate criminality in judicialstatistics and alternative presentationforms”. Based on the discussions andthe final report of the working group,the Federal Ministry of Justice andConsumer Protection has prepared acorresponding data entry form withcompletion instructions; thebeginning statistical recording is to beexpected in the near future.The state government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern thereforeshares the wish for effectivereactions to “hate speech” and “fakenews” and refers in this context to thenew legal possibilities linked to the“Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz (NetzDG)” adopted in June 2017.At the same time, the governmentrefers to the prevention programmeinitiated together by the stateCriminal Investigation Departmentand the Landeszentrale für politischeBildung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern(State Centre for Political Education)“Heroes instead of trolls”. In thisnetwork, users are called to directlyand actively act against “hatespeech” and “fake news” togetherwith experts and are simultaneouslyoffered a corresponding platform.11Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 14Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeRegarding Innovative Science and Research, toPara Conference Resolution Statement of the GovernmentMecklenburg-Vorpommern16 intensify scientific cooperation in The holistic, resource-saving andthe Baltic Sea Region sustainable sea research in/with thequalitatively and quantitatively Baltic Sea, which practically is anand therefore inland sea of a changing settlement, promote the development of working, economy and cultural region,more credible projections of is the “brand essence” of the Leibniz-Instituts für Ostseeforschungthe future of the Baltic Sea,Warnemünde (IOW). In the institute,based on the best basicmodels for the short- and mid-termmarine research as well asfuture (coastal seas and coastalthe most plausible landscapes in transformation) basedsocioeconomic development on scientific long-term data (Baltic Seascenarios and associated monitoring in the framework ofHELCOM) show the links foralterations in humancounselling of societal consumers (forpressures, and the complexexample sovereignly as well asimpacts of climate change oneconomically orientated stakeholders,the ecosystem,education institutions, media). promote the delivery of newcomprehensive knowledge ontrue long-term effects ofvarious human pressures onall organizational levels - fromgenes to an ecosystem, aswell as suggestions on waysto mitigate these effects, provide a scientific foundationfor innovative cross-borderpolicy making, includingpotential internalization of thecosts of marine ecosystemservices into the economicsystem;12Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 15Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu17 promote the further development The Baltic Science Network (BSN, inof the Baltic Sea Science which Mecklenburg-VorpommernNetwork to enhance macro- participates as an associated partner,regional dimensions of science will promote the implementation of aand research policy from which joint higher education and researchhigher education and research area in the Baltic Sea region as well asinstitutions should benefit and to its research and innovation capacities.thus create a supra-regional It offers the Ministries of Science andnetwork that provides an Research in the Baltic Sea region a“administrative network” in network structure to develop andaddition to the existing “scientific implement science policy in a macro-network” to manage the scientific regional dimension as well as tocooperation in a useful and achieve a better representation oftargeted way, especially in the these macro-regional interests at theframework of the project “Baltic EU-level. The network also aims atScience Network”; exchanging best-practice examplesand helps to gather information oncentral science-policy-relevantquestions (for exampleinternationalization, promotion ofresearch, technology transfer).Overarching goal is to support therealization of a European researcharea, to increase the research andinnovation performance and tostrengthen the political autonomy in thearea of science policy through strongercooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.18 take a more active role with The state government creates with itsregard to providing sustainable educational and research policy theresources for research and basis for a sustainable cooperation indevelopment in order to further the Baltic Sea region. For a goodinnovations by developing e.g. cooperation between researchers incommon standards, data security Europe, these framework conditionsand intellectual property rights have to be right. Therefore, an innerwithin the Baltic Sea Region; space for knowledge has been createdand is created with the EuropeanResearch Area.13Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 16Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeImportant is not only the mobility ofresearchers but also the knowledgeexchange between institutions ofhigher education/ research institutions,enterprises and citizens as well as amutual cooperation of research topics.The optimal use of European researchinfrastructure is also included.Infrastructures like world-class-telescopes are difficult to finance byone individual country. A jointdevelopment and use creates newopportunities here. The collaboration inthe European Research Area iscomplemented in cooperation on abilateral level and in the framework ofEU-strategies to the European macro-regions. In the moment, the macro-regional cooperation takes placeespecially in the Danube and BalticSea region.In the Baltic Sea Region, maritimeresearch topics play a more prominentrole. The system of intellectualproperty rights will, more or lessreformed, remain and continue beingrelevant for the respectively affectedfor knowledge-intensive sectors andtechnologies.Through renewals in the system, likefor example the uniform EU patent, aproposal for a European directive forthe protection of trade secrets andupcoming reforms in copyright law, therelevance will even increase. In therealm of politics, the question of anoptimal establishment of the system ofintellectual property arises; concerningthe affected, the question of the bestpossible use arises. On the part ofpolitics, finding the right balancebetween the rights of the public andthe rights of the property rights ownershas to be considered.14Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 17Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu19 continue to support the efforts in The eligible research institutions of thebuilding closer ties between Leibniz-Gemeinschaft in the division ofanalytical research institutions the Ministry of Education, Science andand businesses in the framework Culture (Leibniz-Institut fürof the Baltic TRAM Plasmaforschung und Technologie(Transnational Research Access e. V. - INP; Leibniz-Institut für Ostsee-in the Macro-region) project; forschung Warnemünde - IOW as wellas Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e. V. –LIKAT) are already connected topic-related with corresponding institutionsin the Baltic Sea region in theframework of self-organisedcooperative networking in theirrespective scientific community, farbeyond the network mentioned here.20 further improve the conditions of To participate as an institution ofthe Baltic Sea Region in global higher education in the globalscientific competition through competition of excellent quality ofjoint strengthened efforts by teaching and research, the long-termincreased investments in provision of additional financialinnovative science and research; resources for activities in the BalticSea Region as well as in theinternational area is irrefutable, if thecooperation should continue in focus.21 recognize the EUSBSRs Policy Internationalization will be integratedArea Innovation and Policy Area stronger into all core functions ofEducation commitment to ensure institutions of higher education. Ita prosperous, sustainable and affects teaching and research as wellcompetitive region based on front as further education, management andrunning innovation, research and administration. In many institutions ofhigher education activities as “a higher education, internationalizationcommon good” and highlight the will become an integral part of modelimportance of developing development and qualitative andmeasures to overcome quantitative development planning.innovation and performance gaps The institutions of higher education arein the region; faced with the question of developingrespective individual and specificinternationalization strategiesconcentrating especially onstrategically particularly importantpartners and areas. Especially theBaltic Sea region is taken into focus. Itis at responsibility of the state tointroduce own interests and setappropriate incentives in this verydynamic field.15Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 18Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode22 strengthen citizen awareness of Here, all educational institutions have aeducation and science as fundamental mandate to act. Theimportant innovation resources continuous MINT-subject4 from pre-through suitable measures; school to starting in a professionstands as an example for this inMecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is themost important contribution to aglobally competitive location factor“publicly financed teaching and appliedresearch” as basis for innovativeproducts and services of ourenterprises. Its direct or indirectbenefits for citizens through betteremployment possibilities of schoolgraduates and their contribution forsecuring the urgently needed youngMINT-skilled staff strengthens theawareness for its need. Against thisbackground, innovations in educationand science become particularlyimportant.23 referring to the success of the The success of the internationalizationBaltic Sea Science Day held for of the local institutions of higherthe first time in St. Petersburg on education is measurable but is too low8 February 2017, to support and still. Consideration of developing morepromote the continuation of this comprehensive strategies for Middleinitiative as a useful tool for the and East Europe will be continued.intensification of scientific Mecklenburg-Vorpommern currently iscooperation in the Baltic Sea the only German state whichRegion and for improving the consciously and against the trendvisibility of the Region's maintains a good relationship withachievements and potential in Russia. However, the focus lies morethe field of science, research and in the economic sector until now. It isinnovation; important to consolidate and extendthe good scientific relationships withthe partner institutions of highereducation in Russia. The Baltic SeaScience Day is – besides other events– an appropriate instrument for this.4 MINT-subjects are: mathematics, informatics, sciences and technology16Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 19Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu24 support BONUS II; The EU participates in joint researchand development programmes for theBaltic Sea (BONUS programme). Theprogramme contributes to the researchof and battle against the negativeeffects of pollution, climate change,acidification and overfishing as well asthe loss of biodiversity in the Baltic Searegion. This programme is of greatrelevance for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a coastal state and itscontinuation as BONUS II should beurgently supported.25 intensify measures to facilitate The proposal should be supported incross-border border integration of principle, but its feasibility especiallyinterdisciplinary Earth system regarding the creation of a necessaryscience in the Baltic Sea region; balance between ecologicalrequirements and economicdevelopment will depend significantlyof the concrete design of thisapproach.In this context we refer to theexplanations of number 19, while theLeibniz-Institut für Atmosphärenphysik(IAP) in Kühlungsborn as well as theDeutsche Zentrum für Luft- undRaumfahrt (DLR) with its location inNeustrelitz are to be mentioned here,too. The DLR itself is included in theso-called Earth Observation Center(EOC), an inter-institutional and inter-disciplinary network, and is one of thenational participants for the cross-border cooperation.26 call for seeking synergies and The scientific contact point inmeasures for developing the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is in thisArctic-Baltic joint vision, context the Leibniz-Institut fürcollaboration and scientific Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW),performance; also in its function as member of theso-called Konsortium DeutscheMeeresforschung (KDM). Currentspeaker for the KDM (for all sea-researching institutions) is the directorof the IOW.17Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 20Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeThe research institution for articresearch within the German searesearch defining the research profileis the Alfred-Wegner-Institut (AWI) inBremen.27 improve the short-term mobility Mecklenburg-Vorpommern supportspossibilities of researchers by the reinforcement of internationalproviding unbureaucratic support scientific and artistic activities atoutside of large funded projects institutions of higher education andto allow for more flexibility in non-university research institutions ofvisibility and international the state together with theresearch collaboration and a corresponding institutions especially inbetter integration of the Baltic the Baltic Sea States (for Russia onlySea Region research landscape, the European part) through theto intensify the mobility of „Directive for the approval of grants forteaching professionals and mutual stays abroad which servestudents by stipend programmes scientific or artistic purposes”.for mobility within the Baltic Sea Prerequisite for grants are aRegion imparting the benefits of coordinated project proposal or ascientific and cultural exchanges coordinated working program betweenand while strengthening and to the institution in Germany and thepromoting summer schools as involved institution abroad. Eligible arewell as exchange programmes in monthly living expenses of students upthe Baltic Sea Region; to the respective maximum rateaccording to theBundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz(BAFöG) (Federal Training AssistanceAct for students at secondary schoolsand universities), of doctorates up to850€ per month and of scientific andartistic staff up to 1,500€ per month.Grants for material expenses, for travelcosts, accommodation and dailyallowance can be approved for theforeign project participants in Germanyby an appropriate application of thestate law of travelling expenses, if thetravels are needed for projectexecution.The administrative regulation is for themoment valid until 31. December 2020.18Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 21Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neuRegarding Sustainable Tourism, toPara Conference Resolution Statement of the GovernmentMecklenburg-Vorpommern28 work towards the vision that the The proposal should be supported inBaltic Sea Region will become principle, but its feasibility especiallythe first eco-region in the world, regarding the creation of a necessaryconceiving the Baltic Sea Region balance between ecologicalas the first region where ecology requirements and economicand economy work together in a development will depend significantlybalanced and integrated manner of the concrete design of thisto sustain societies and culture; approach.29 ensure that the consequences of The projects present for voting to thetourism are sustainable by coordinator for the politic sectoradopting models and methods to tourism in the framework of the EU-save and protect nature and strategy for the Baltic Sea region areorient work along the principle examined also under the aspect ofthat sustainability is the guiding “sustainability”, which is alsoprinciple and standard practice in embedded in the action plan. In doingall types of tourism in the Baltic so, economic and social aspects areSea region; also considered beyond the ecologicallevel.30 further examine the use of carbon Objective of the project mentionedfootprints to improve the under number 2 is working outcomparability and attractiveness international standards (and criteria)of tourism products and their for a sustainable development of theecological and economical tourism destinations in the Baltic Seaimpacts; further improve the region.transparency of tourism productsas to their quality in terms ofsustainability, e.g by usingcommon labels and standards;31 promote wastewater facilities at The state government welcomes theharbours in the Baltic Sea entry into force of the regulations forRegion; the special area Baltic Sea in thesense of MARPOL Annex IV for theaggravated sewage conditions forships and the resulting effects for theprotection of seas. They are valid upfrom the 1th of June 2019 for newvessels and up from the 1th of June2019 for existent vessels.For the cruise ports in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern these regulations meana substantial challenge.19Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 22Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. WahlperiodeThe provision of reception facilities forship sewage usually requires,especially there, the construction ofstationary plants with the possibility ofdischarging into the municipalsewerage network. Mobile dischargingoptions would reach their limits fastduring the usual time cruise ships arein port. Therefore, in the affected portsextensive investments incorresponding reception facilities willbe needed to meet for one the legalobligations for the reception of shipsewages and for the other to continueattracting cruise ships without owntreatment plants.Necessary adaptions of the portinfrastructure in the context of theacquisition of treatment plants can, ifappropriate, be subsidized in theframework of port infrastructurefunding by the state.In presence of related requests and inconformity with the requirements ofstate aid, a promotion of sewageinstallations can take place. In thisway, for example, the grey waterdisposal in the area of the berths 6-8in the port of Rostock-Warnemündewas supported.32 improve interrailing, to promote In Germany, the Deutsche Bahn AG isthe use of alternative sources of the responsible institution for Interrail.energy and foster a sustainable Therefore, there is no competence formultimodal split (sea, road, rail), improving this European tariff offer atand to improve bike infrastructure state level.including bicycle stands and Private people provide E-bike chargingEbike charging stations at stations in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,transport hubs as examples for for example along the Berlin-ecological forms of tourism; Copenhagen cycle path.33 jointly task a Tourism Transport The state government does not seeImpact Assessment Study to the need for such a study, consideringanalyze continuously the output the very limited funds for assessmentsof different political action to and/or studies of this kind.increase the level ofsustainability;20Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 23Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode Drucksache 7/1945neu34 counteract the lack of skilled The shortage of specialist and youngworkers in the tourism sector in staff is no only tourism-specificthe Baltic Sea Region, e.g. by problem, but has great consequencesestablishing an international for the service quality in the Baltic Seawinter school to increase labour region. It is one of the key topics inskills, language and intercultural tourism policy. To fully exhaust theskills; potential of specialist staff, a “tasktriad” is applied: Improvement ofimage, exhaustion of existingpotentials and international staffacquisition.35 fully use the possibilities of the The state government has nocircular and fair sharing objections.economies creating new jobs inthe service sectors;36 foster a joint promotion by private It is referred to the explanations underand public stakeholders of the para 5.Baltic Sea Region as a tourismdestination especially in newsource markets and to fostercooperation in the region as amain key for the successfuldevelopment of the Baltic SeaRegion;37 better use the potential of The implementation of the projectdigitalization in promoting Baltic Sea Tourism Center (Baltic Seasustainable tourism and further Tourism Center (BTSC) started insupport the development of the January 2017. The project teamBaltic Sea Tourism Center into a (located in the International House ofpermanent platform for Tourism in Rostock) is currentlyinformation and exchange of working out, together with theknow-how at the transnational partners, the strategic aspects as welllevel, especially with regard to the as structure, tasks and financing of thelong-term priorities of the CBSS; BSTC.38 sustain a sound environment, The proposal should be supported insafeguarding the recreational principle, but its feasibility especiallyquality of natural and man-made regarding the creation of a necessarylandscapes and integrating balance between ecologicalnatural, cultural and human requirements and economicenvironments within the BSR so development will depend significantlythat tourism activities do not of the concrete design of thisendanger the natural and cultural approach.heritage of the BSR and insteadactively contribute to theirpreservation;21Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 24Drucksache 7/1945neu Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 7. Wahlperiode39 promote and sustain the The policy sector tourism of the EUcompetitive quality and efficiency strategy for the Baltic Sea region,of the tourism business while also whose coordinator is the Ministry ofcreating satisfactory social Economy, Employment and Healthconditions for tourists, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, hasworkforce and the local always also considered social aspectspopulation; of sustainable development.40 involve citizens in the The population in the destinationsdevelopment of tourism significantly contributes to thestrategies. development of tourism (for examplein form of a welcoming culture) andtherefore also contributes to thedevelopment of tourism strategies.22NorwayNorway Page 2Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Minister of Foreign AffairsJorodd Asphjell MPStortingetReferring to your letter of 12 February this year concerning the follow up of the resolution from the26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Hamburg 3 to 5 September 2017.Russia’s annexation of Crimea in contravention of international law, and destabilising acts in EastUkraine continue to put constraints on the regional political dialogue in the Council of Baltic SeaStates (CBSS) and in The Northern Dimension. However, in the Arctic Council and in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council there has been meetings of ministers of foreign affairs every second year withoutinterruption. At the same time there is a strong commitment on various levels for concretecooperation managed by the northern regional councils.Until the Icelandic chairmanship of the CBSS in June 2017 succeeded in bringing together themember states’ ministers of foreign affairs to celebrate the cooperation’s 25th anniversary, there hadnot been meetings at the level of ministers of foreign affairs since 2013. From the circumstances ithas still been important to maintain CBSS project cooperation and the meetings of senior civilservants.In Reykjavik the minsters of foreign affairs agreed to establish an independent visionary group taskedto formulate propositions for CBSS priorities after 2020. The group will submit their propositions inJune this year.The current Swedish chairmanship (2017-2018) by Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrøm hasinvited to a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs in Stockholm 18 July to continue the politicaldialogue and discuss concrete priorities for future regional cooperation.As for the Northern Dimension, there is no agreement to arrange a meeting of ministers of foreignaffairs.Active participation from Norwegian members of parliament in the yearly conferences of the BSPCand in the Standing Committee is important for the work in the CBSS and in The Northern DimensionPartnership.The main themes in the BSPC-resolution from 2017 are important for our regional cooperation onthe government side. These themes have also been central during our presidency of the NordicCouncil of Ministers in 2017 (see the whitepaper on Nordic cooperation 2017-2018).The enclosed report presents Norway’s commitments in the main areas covered by the resolution.The report is compiled in cooperation with the relevant ministries.Yours sincerelyIne Eriksen SøreideNorway Page 3Norway Page 4Norway Page 5Norway Page 6Norway Page 7PolandPoland Page 2Information on activities carried out by Polish institutions in order to implement specific areasof Baltic Cooperation, which were indicated in the Resolution of the 26th Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference (Hamburg, 5.09.2017)Regarding Cooperation in the RegionPolish Ministry of the Environment was involved in preparing the Baltic 2030 Action Plan:Realizing the Vision. Its actions concern mostly activities related to climate action with focuson cities.National adaptation strategy was adopted by the government in 2013. Its main goal is toensure sustainable development of Poland in the conditions of changing climate. The strategysets out strategic goals for adaptation action which have tremendous influence on thecondition of the Baltic Sea, like i.a. water management, agriculture, biodiversity and protectedareas, energy, coastal zone, spatial development and development urban areas. In the frameof the strategy Ministry is supporting cities in developing Urban Adaptation Plans for citieswith over 100 thousand inhabitants in Poland including cities in the Baltic Sea region likeGdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia, Elbląg, Słupsk, Szczecin. The major objective of the project is theassessment of the sensitivity to climate changes of 44 largest Polish cities and planningadaptation activities appropriate for the identified threats. It will support the local authoritiesin accessing financial resources for the investments.Polish Ministry of the Environment also participates in the roundtable on climate actionadaptation under the umbrella of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The next meeting isplanned for June 2018.In order to ensure sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region, Polish Ministry of Culturestrategically supports important projects in the field of artistic education and exchange ofartists, theater, art, museums, archives, music and film, and focuses on supporting the idea ofcreating a common brand of the Baltic Sea by protecting the cultural heritage of countries inthe region.Point.1. Intensify the cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region including the Northern Dimension,the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Strategy for the socioeconomicdevelopment of the North-West Federal district of Russia in addition to other regional actorsby identifying common priorities and developing respective regional strategies and actionplans in fields of common interest and mutual benefits. Since macro-regional strategiesgather stakeholders and actors from all sectors and levels of governance, macro-regionalstrategies offer efficient instruments to improve relations between neighbouring countriesand thereby support European Neighbourhood PolicyThe Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute continues thecooperation with other Baltic institutions in frame of the BOOS (Baltic Sea Regional OperationalSystems), where oceanographers of IMWM NRI share knowledge and information related to the1Poland Page 3oceanographic services including data and information exchange, and implementation of theoperational hydrodynamic models of the Baltic Sea. It also continues the development of pan-European oceanographic databases system in the frame of the EU project SeaDataCloud, as apartner in the Baltic Regional Task Team. One of the innovative part of the project is developmentand implementation of the cloud virtual environment for marine data storage and exchange.Polish Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation underlines the importance ofcooperation in the field of maritime policy between countries sharing a common sea and notingthe added value of exchanging ideas and sharing experiences. The Ministry underlines the role ofthe Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) as a forum for multilateral intergovernmentalcooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. It participates in the CBSS Expert Group on Maritime Policy.It is strongly involved in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region, and supports its aims, includingthe improvement of the environmental state of the region and the Baltic Sea, and to making thearea more prosperous through balanced economic development. Ministry actively participates atPA Ship and PA Safe Committees to underline the need of cooperation by ensuring the Baltic Searegion becomes safer and more secure.Point 2. further strengthen and develop HELCOM as the coordinator of the regionalimplementation of ocean-related goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of theUnited Nations, through the strengthened implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea ActionPlan and further commitment to achieve a Baltic Sea in good environmental status by 2021and if applicable, by renewing the Baltic Sea Action Plan in line with the UN SustainableDevelopment Agenda with a time perspective until 2030Point 3. Support HELCOM in elaborating a regional action plan on underwater noise as wellas in implementing the marine litter regional action plan and in its battle againsteutrophication; concrete measures to reduce the input of plastics into the marineenvironment should be taken onAbove mentioned activities are related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and form the basisfor determination of environmental targets. The latter is under preparation in frame of thecontract between IMWM NRI an State-Owned Water Farm Polish Water (PGW Wody Polskie).In accordance with the requirements of the Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliamentand of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the fieldof marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive - MSFD), each EUMember State is obliged to develop a marine strategy for its marine waters, which includesthe following elements: initial assessment of the environmental status of marine waters, a setof characteristics for good environmental status of sea waters, a set of environmental targetsfor marine waters and associated with them indicators, monitoring programmes andprogrammes of measures.In 2017, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland adopted the National Program forthe Protection of Marine Waters (KPOWM) constituting the Programme of measures inaccordance with the MSFD.The KPOWM contains a programme of measures necessary to achieve or maintain a goodenvironmental status of marine waters, divided into actions implemented, on-going andplanned. Measures related to underwater noise and marine litter planned to be implementedare the following:• International cooperation in establishing requirements for limiting maritime noise fromshipping2Poland Page 4• Implementation of the impulse noise register• Development of seasonal noise maps• Development of port reception facilities for the collection of waste and cargo residuesfrom ships.• The introduction of the "no special fee" principle for collecting waste from ships inports.• Analysis of the microplastics in the marine environment.• Ban on passenger ship sewage discharges into the Baltic Sea• Additional cleaning of the beachesThe Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation (MGMiŻŚ) is actively involvedin cooperation with the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) in order to fulfill legal obligationsin the field of protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea and improvement of itsstate. The cooperation is focused on ensuring the participation of experts and representativesof relevant ministries and scientific communities in HELCOM working groups meetings, bothpermanent and ad hoc as well as in all new HELCOM initiatives, in order to maximize thepotential of experts and focus on the superior objective of Baltic Sea good environmentalstatus until 2021.Representatives of MGMiŻŚ participate inter alia in the HELCOM PRESSURE group, whichfocuses on identifying sources of pollution (including land-based pollution, point and areapollution) and proposing actions to be taken to reduce pollution entering the Baltic Sea.The main areas considered in terms of their negative impact on the state of the marineenvironment are: biogens, hazardous substances, marine litter and underwater noise. In 2017,an important position in the group's work program was development of the noise levelsconsistent with GES and to setting environmental targets in this area.In addition to the aforementioned issues, group continued its work on the implementation ofthe Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter in the Baltic Sea, and analyses on the availability ofdata on discharges of newly identified hazardous substances were undertaken.The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute continuesand leads new research on the state of the environment of the Baltic Sea in cooperation withPolish Chief Inspectorate of Environment Protection and State-Owned Water Farm PolishWater (PGW Wody Polskie), and regional body HELCOM Secretariat. In October 2017,Maritime Branch in Gdynia of IMWM NRI has started preparation of an update of the InitialAssessment of the Baltic Sea in accordance with Marine Strategies Framework Directive(MSFD) requirements. This activity covers both national perspective of the Baltic Sea marineenvironment conditions as well as regional one, thorough active participation of IMWM NRI'sexperts in the preparation of the regional assessment of HELCOM - HOLAS II. The importantcomponents of the work these are researches on underwater noise in Polish marine watersand implementation of innovative method utilizing satellite observations in combination withsophisticated numerical modelling being developed by the consortium SatBaltyk. Recently, thismethod was presented during the meeting at HELCOM Secretariat on the Baltic seaeutrophication. IMWM NRI carries out the monitoring of the Baltic Sea including litter andunderwater noise what supports HELCOM policy thorough Polis national representativebodies.Point 4. support the significance of the Science, Research and Innovation Agenda as it isoutlined by CBSS Science Ministers’ Conference held in the Chair’s Conclusions: Baltic3Poland Page 5Science: Renewing the Commitment to Science/Research Joint Actions in the Baltic SeaRegionWith regard to the „Science, Research and Innovation Agenda”, Polish Ministry of Science andHigher Education is engaged in the SRIA and CBSS Secretariat activities on regular basis, e.g.consulting strategic document or participating in the relevant seminars or conferences.Representative of the Ministry, Mr. Tomasz Jałukowicz participated in the The 5th BalticUniversity Programme Rectors’ Conference combined with Baltic Science Day held in Turku / Åbo(Finland) January 25 as moderator for Workshop 3:Open Science. Connection to business?Possibilities to fund raising?The Maritime Institute in Gdańsk is a co-founder and co-coordinator of the EUSBSR PA INNOflagship project "SUBMAIRNER Network for Blue Growth EEIG". The goal of the Network is to worktogether to improve the Baltic environment and maritime economy through an innovativeapproach to the sustainable use of marine and environmental resources. The areas of interestof the Network include:• the so-called "Blue" smart specializations - identification and creation of know-how in theimplementation of blue R & D & I strategies, including policy-mix tools and creationof transnational synergies and added value of cooperation; in this area, the Networkimplements (with the participation of the Institute) the Smart Blue Regions project.• blue biotechnology (bioeconomy) - effective and effective use of the potential of science inthe field of blue biotechnology in the BSR (supporting the creation of national bioeconomystrategies, creating a pan-Baltic research agenda on the bioeconomy and identifying andtesting Baltic microorganisms, including through the creation of an RMB research center);in this area, the Network implements the following projects: Baltic Blue Growth,InnoAquaTech - all with the participation of the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk• sector image - creating a positive image for products and services using maritimeresources, through the implementation of social campaigns; marketing research onpotential products of marine origin and creating a common Baltic brand for this type ofactivities.• In addition, the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk implements the following projects thatcontribute to the implementation of the objectives of the SUERMB: DAIMON("continuation" of the CHEMSEA project), Baltic LINes, GREEN CRUISE PORTS (BSR InterregProgramme).Point 5. elaborate a common programme based on a strategy within the framework of theCBSS to develop sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea Region, considering the followingaspects: a) the reduction as far as possible of obstacles to cross-border travelling to promotethe freedom of travel including promotion of the local border traffic regime on outer bordersof the EU, b) facilitating border and visa regime for youth and organized tourist groups, c)the improvement of sustainable transport and tourism infrastructure, d) support for the ideaof Baltic Sea Region States creating a common Baltic Sea Brand, based on cultural andnatural heritage, to strengthen tourism competitivenessAs for now the CBSS hasn’t started to elaborate common programme of the development ofsustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea Region. Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism is ready toinvolve in the process of preparation, as soon as CBSS starts elaborating the programme.4Poland Page 6Martime Institute in Gdańsk has been involved for ten years in the maritime spatial planning (MSP)cooperation at the regional and transborder level. Involvement - both through participation in theEU funded projects (Plancoast, East-West Window, SDI4SEB, BaltSeaPlan, PartiSEAPate,BalticScope, BaltSpace and many more) and participation in the work of regional organisations likeHelcom-VASAB Working Group on MSP. Such regional cooperation led to the development andimplementation of a vision of a sustainable maritime spatial planning in the Baltic region, whichmakes the Baltic Sea Region a leader in worlds cooperation in MSP. Maritime Institute in Gdańskis involved in Polish national MSP process as contracted by the maritime administration to developthe first maritime spatial plan for the Polish Sea Areas. The process also include the transbordercooperation in order to ensure the consistency of planning solutions and the compliancewith regional MSP recommendations.Regarding Democratic Participation and the Digital AgeOver the course of the last two years, Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs has prepared a number ofprojects aimed at speeding up the process of digitalization and facilitating the use of moderntechnologies for Polish citizens. In our approach, humans are the most important part of thetransformation process and the central resource of the digital market, therefore the social andeducational dimension, as well as building trust in the democratic institutions of the state andbuilding trust among citizens plays a very important role in all of our undertakings. Participating inthe debate on digitalization in Poland and on the EU forum, we also try to raise the issues ofethics, which is particularly important in the context of the development of artificial intelligence. Acomprehensive approach to digitalization, taking into account its different aspects and dimensionsshould enable the creation of a better, more citizen-friendly state and will also serve to strengthenthe democratic system through greater transparency and access to information (e.g. by makingpublic data available).It is also worth remembering the impact of digitalization on the labor market, which at themoment is very difficult to foresee. It is therefore necessary to implement appropriate education,employment and development measures as quickly as possible in order to manage the digitaltransition adequately and to limit the potentially negative impact on society (e.g. through thedevelopment of digital competencies, adapting the education system to changes in employment,preparing for the disappearance of certain occupations and building business responsibility forchanges in the labor market). In connection with this, activities of the Ministry, such asinvestments in the development of broadband infrastructure, are accompanied by a programmeensuring access to very fast Internet for all schools in Poland, as well as obligatory computerprogramming classes. Similarly, the Ministry wants to use the commercial implementation of 5Gtechnology by the end of 2020 in Łódź not only to create a testbed for new Internet of Thingstechnologies and Smart Cities solutions, but also to drive the civilizational transformation of thecity with industrial past.The broadly understood digital issues have also become a strategic element of the economicpolicy of the European Union, implemented, among others, within the framework of the DigitalSingle Market Strategy1. Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs is involved in a number of1 Digital Single Market - The Digital Single Market Strategy (DSM), adopted in 2015, is the main document of the European Commission, whichpresents the planned work of the European Union in the digital field. The strategy aims to eliminate the existing barriers hindering Europe's digitaldevelopment. The creation of this market should help European businesses to expand their activities on a global scale, while consumers will have abetter choice, as well as access to higher quality lower prices of products and services. The DSM is a market with high potential for economicgrowth and outstanding value, with more than 500 million people and estimated annual profits of more than €415 billion, according to the EC.5Poland Page 7initiatives/activities aimed at the implementation of the above-mentioned strategy by eliminatingthe existing barriers hindering the digital development of Europe. It is understandable, and thusreflected in EU documents, that the development of a fully developed digital single market inEurope and the digital transition must take into account the social dimension by supportingcitizens' capacity to cope with changes and to take full advantage of the opportunities offered bynew digital technologies. By initiating discussions (for example by sending the letters on digitalissues to the President of the European Council) and actions on digital issues (for example theFree Flow of Data initiative) in the European Union, the Ministry of Digital Affairs tries tocontribute to the development of solutions that are as inclusive as possible, taking into accountthe different specifics and conditions found in the various Member States. This is facilitated by thehigh level of activity in the group of like-minded countries in digital matters (the so-called like-minded group), which brings together a dozen or so EU Member States.Activities taking place on both the national and the EU level are also aimed at building citizens'trust in the digital world, which is an element without which the development of the digitaleconomy, efficient e-administration and the emergence of new innovative services in areas suchas the Internet of Things, cloud computing or artificial intelligence are not possible. In thiscontext, shaping the state policy in the area of ensuring the protection of personal data isextremely important. The same is true of the fight against fake news and disinformation, whichundermine both the trust, which forms the foundation of the digital world, as well as thefoundations of modern democracies. The Ministry of Digital Affairs makes efforts to stimulatepublic debate in this area by raising awareness of the scale of the issue, participate in nationaleducational activities, for example by sharing best practices, and to be an active player on the EUforum. In the context of these threats, the Ministry of Digital Affairs also hopefully observes thedevelopment of the blockchain technology, the potential applications of which extend far beyondthe financial sector – thanks to the creation of a new type of “digital” trust, this technology may beapplied in public administration, as well as various types of services and transactions betweencitizens and the state, and thus contribute to strengthening citizens' trust in the state anddemocratic procedures.Specific initiatives and activities carried out/co-implemented by Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs1) The key project of the Ministry was the creation of the Nationwide Education Network (OSE),which will enable connecting 30 500 schools in Poland to a fast broadband network. Thanks tothe NEN, state-of-the-art infrastructure with broadband Internet access will be built in the areaswhich to date remained digitally excluded. Thus, opportunities for children from schools in thesmallest towns and villages, who will now be able to use the Internet with a bandwidth of atleast 100 Mbps on the same basis as their peers from large cities, will be equalised. Finally, itwill allow for a civilizational change in the way students are educated through the transitionfrom analogue education (books) to digital education (using content made available on theInternet).Faced with the requirements of the labour market in the age of digitisation, supportingschools in the process of digital literacy education is and will remain a priority for the Ministry.2) The Trusted Profile, which enables citizens to handle official matters via the Internet. Amongother things, the Trusted Profile can be used to:6Poland Page 8• apply for registration of a business;• report the loss of an identity document;• apply for a European Health Insurance Card;• handle official matters for the family, such as the newborn allowance, parentalbenefits, Large Family Card, Maintenance Fund Benefits.• obtain a copy of a vital records;A Trusted Profile can be created via the Internet, in two ways – via electronic banking or byconfirming it at one of the existing Confirmation Points. It is a service available to the generalpublic, offered by the majority of Polish banks.3) Development of 5G network. Fifth generation (5G) mobile networks will be the foundation forthe development of new services and applications. Thanks to them, projects such as SmartCities, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Industry 4.0 will have a way to become a reality.On the 11th of February, the consultations on the draft "5G for Poland” Strategy prepared by theMinistry of Digital Affairs were concluded. The strategy outlines a plan and tools for theimplementation of 5G network in Poland. At the European Union level, in July 2017, Poland signedthe 5G declaration, confirming the willingness of the Member States to promote Europe as theleading player on the international 5G market.4) Last year, the Ministry of Digital Affairs also launched a pilot version of the mDokumenty(mDocuments) project, which enables the exchange of data between citizens through themObywatel (mCitizen) mobile application. Thus, it introduces the possibility of presentingdocuments via a mobile phone. The first service available in the application is mTożsamość(mIdentity), which enables presenting personal document data in contacts with other citizens,and since the 15th of December 2017 also in contacts between the citizen and the business(mWeryfikator [mVerifier]).5) On the 25th of May 2018, the EU General Data Protection Regulation will come into force. TheGDPR is an essential tool which enables the protection of the fundamental right of individuals tothe protection of personal data in the digital age. This will significantly enhance the ability ofusers to protect their privacy on-line.Although the regulation is directly applicable in our legal system, it was necessary to adapt thePolish law to this new regulation. Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs prepared a draft of a new act onpersonal data protection and a draft of amendments to sectoral regulations covering more than130 acts. In terms of the number of legislative acts amended, it is one of the largest legislativeprojects in recent years. Poland has thus become the first Member State of the European Unionto change its entire legal system by implementing new EU legislation on personal dataprotection. The new laws will establish a new competent authority for the protection of personaldata, the President of the Office for the Protection of Personal Data, and introduce a number ofnew obligations, liability rules and financial sanctions.The public consultations on the draft werecarried out from the 14th of September 2017 to the 13th of October 2017. During the course of theconsultation process, over 110 organizations and citizens submitted opinions on the draft,submitting over 700 pages of comments.7Poland Page 9National initiatives on Internet safety1) Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs is preparing for the implementation of education andinformation campaigns as part of the action 3.4 of the Operational Program DigitalPoland (POPC), although some particular actions have been already taken such as onprogramming skills. The goal of the campaign will be to increase the awareness of Polishpeople with respect to the use of information and communication technologies. This willinclude pointing out advantages in using the Internet, promoting public e-governmentservices and increasing awareness, competence and access to knowledge in programming.An important aspect of the campaign will be education in the safe use of the Internet,possible threats and the ability to rationally evaluate them, and deal with them. The issuesof personal data protection as well as aspects of threats to children related to their activityon the Internet and, hence, ways to protect them from these threats will also be raised.2) In addition, educational activities are carried out on an ongoing basis by entities supervisedby the Ministry, such as the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) and the Researchand Academic Computer Network (NASK). UKE is conducting an educational project called"My smartphone, my little world" in the form of workshops and meetings directly amongthe youngest Internet users, educating about safe rules for using new technologies. NASK,on the other hand, conducts a series of activities related to the dissemination of knowledgeabout Internet threats, including those aimed at counteracting cyberbullying.3) NASK is the coordinator of the Polish Safer Internet Program Center, which implementswith the partners a comprehensive program of the European Commission "Safer Internet".As part of NASK, Dyżurnet.pl operates. It takes actions against illegal content reported byInternet users or institutions.Access to Public Data1) Governmental Open Data Programme main objective is to improve the quality andincrease the volume of open data, which is made available primarily atdanepubliczne.gov.pl website. That website offers free access to public information invarious categories, such as education, environment, budget and finance, without the needfor the users to register. The published data can be reused – for example, to createapplications without the need to submit any additional requests. An important element ofthe Programme is the establishment of a network of data openness plenipotentiaries fromall ministries and the Central Statistical Office, whose task is to coordinate the process oftransferring data to the dedicated web portal and contributing to openness policies in theirrespective institutions.2) Ministry of Digital Affairs from its side implements the “Open Data - Access, Standard,Education” project providing solutions aiming at improving the availability, quality andpromoting re-use of public data. Six registers with high potential for re-use, including8Poland Page 10statistical data, health care data, budgets of local government units and vehicle data, willbe made available via the application programming interface.Point 8. stimulate a common dialogue and debate in the Baltic Sea region on ethical conditionsfor the digitalization of states and societies and the possibilities of a common legal framework inthis policy field. The task of the Parliaments is to guarantee fundamental rights, democracy andthe rule of law in the digital world as well. Parliaments and governments are encouraged toensure that there is no gap between the digital society and the stateReferring to democratic participation and the digital age, the Maritime University of Szczecin(MUS) is engaged in dialogues and debates in the Baltic Sea Region on its further improvement interms of democratic participation, involvement of youth in all areas of the society, anddigitalization of states and societies. One of the existing networks governing scientific andeducational activities within the Baltic Sea Region is the Baltic University Program managed by theUppsala University, Sweden. The Maritime University of Szczecin is a member of this network. Themain stream of its activity is sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. The participation inthe network creates a platform and enables encouraging students and young researchers to takepart in different areas of social life, including democracy, education and culture. Each year MUSstudents attend international conferences and organize ones themselves. This stimulates acommon dialogue, debate and the involvement of young people in the area of sustainabledevelopment towards ensuring the Region's position as a global leader in various areas of life.Point 9. work with the aim to make the Baltic sea region a global frontrunner in making newdigital technologies work for democracy and political developmentGdynia Maritime University leads the research activities at particular faculties are implementedwithin the main areas:a) Navigation Faculty:• Development of the concept of e-Navigation within the framework of maritime transporttelematics in the context of the integration of navigation and telecommunications systems,• Modelling the safety of navigation, reliability of search and life rescue at sea; managementof the safe operation of ships; creating model transport instructions for various cargoes on sea-going ships,• Operation of maritime transport and logistics systems; construction, operation,management and development of port systems,• Optimization of the use of real-time GNSS measurement methods, development ofelectronic navigational charts,• Study of hydro-climatic changes and variability of weather and hydro-climatic conditions inthe Baltic Sea.b) Marine Engineering Faculty:• Machine diagnostics including diesel engines and marine turbines based on modern non-invasive methods to assess the technical condition of marine engines, such as measurements and9Poland Page 11analysis of indicator plots, measurement and analysis of vibrations, measurement of acousticemission, measurement and analysis of exhaust emissions, and thermal imaging, video endoscopy,• Research in the field of modelling of naval propulsion systems as well as statics anddynamics of ship power transmission systems,• Research on changes in physical parameters of sea water contaminated with oil-derivedsubstances, searching for new methods for detecting and identifying oil pollution at sea,• Research on the properties of modern materials used in shipbuilding and the operationalproperties of metal-ceramic coatings.c) Electrical Engineering Faculty• Assessment of the energy quality of the power system on board ships based on themeasurement and analysis of indicators characterizing the electric energy quality of the ship in thelight of the rules and requirements of classification societies,• Automation of ship traffic control processes, automation of power plant and ship powerplant as well as ship and land electric power units built on the basis of power electronicconverters,• Modelling of electronic, optoelectronic and microwave elements and systems togetherwith high-frequency applications of electromagnetic field theory.d) Entrepreneurship and Quality Science Faculty• Techniques for analysis, evaluation and optimization of software reliability; application ofinformation technology in supporting decision-making processes and data analysis, including BigData; computer techniques in the analysis of the security of maritime transport systems;• Application of new instrumental methods for assessing the quality of food products andeco-balance methods in the environmental impact assessment; chemical contamination of foodand microbiological aspects of food quality and safety,• International trade, including trade by sea and land and sea transport chains; modellingmarket structures in the transport and logistics sector; intelligent and innovative solutions fortransport, logistics and mobility,Research on the economy and in relation to economic phenomena and processes on a regionaland global perspective.Point 11. draw attention to training and education for the youth with regard to digitalizationopportunities in order to foster a competent and responsible use of the evolving technologicalinnovations – thereby contributing to democratic societies in the digital agePolish Ministry of National Education undertakes actions leading to the acquisition of digital skillsby children and teenagers and raising the digital competence of teachers. From 1 September 2017,a change in the regulations regarding the conduct of innovative activities in schools began toapply. From the 2017/2018 school year, the issues of running innovative activity by schools andeducational institutions result from the provisions of the Act of 14 December 2016 on EducationalLaw. Innovative activity is an integral element of the school's activity. The Ministry of NationalEducation does not indicate any formal requirements determining the start of innovation in theschool.In the Regulation of the Minister of National Education of February 14, 2017 on the corecurriculum of general education for primary school, including schoolchildren with moderate or10Poland Page 12severe intellectual disability, general education for the stage I sectoral vocational school, generaleducation for the special vocational school and general education for post-secondary school, theneed to develop, among others, skills of efficient and responsible use of information andcommunication technologies in the learning process and in presenting own achievements wasindicated. The provisions regarding this skill are also included in the regulation of the Minister ofNational Education of 30 January 2018 on the core curriculum of general education for generalsecondary school, technical secondary school and stage II sectoral vocational school.From 1 September 2017, programming is a permanent element of education from the first gradeof primary school. In addition, in the light of the new core curriculum, digital technologies can beused in educational activities in various subjects.The core curriculum has expanded the content referring to the safe and responsible use of digitaltechnologies. In 2017, voivodeship (regional) coordinators for innovation in education, appointedat the request of the Ministry of National Education in each Regional Education Authority,continued their activities. Their task is to disseminate innovative activities in education and theuse of digital tools in the education process. As part of their activities, the coordinators organizedtraining and workshops for teachers.As part of improving the digital competence of teachers, including those related to the safe use ofinformation and communication technologies, the Ministry of National Education commissionedthe Centre for Education Development to develop free and widely available materials used byteachers for self-education, preparation of courses and online workshops and framework trainingplans, which can be used by other teacher training centers.In 2017, as part of the government program implemented in 2017-2019, the "Active Board",schools received financial support for purchase of teaching aids using digital technologies. OnOctober 27, 2017, the National Education Network Act was passed, providing for connecting allschools in Poland to broadband internet and offering network security services, enabling access todigital educational resources.MUS draws its attention to training and educating its students with regard to digitalizationopportunities. The University invests in modern technology and equipment and gets its studentsfamiliar with the newest technological innovations. This includes opening laboratories andproviding classes where students can work with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)systems, multiple types of drones or new types of simulators. Apart from the above, the e-learninginitiative is in place in order to familiarize the students with this form of education that is morecommon and utilizes technologies based on the Internet and web browsers, providing them withvideo lectures and interactive learning content. MUS recognizes that drones, VR and AR areinnovations that have already established their position in maritime industry where they are usedfor inspections, training and as support systems. The University also tries to reinforce the ideaof lifelong learning and its importance in professional development and, because distance learningis the most common form of lifelong learning, is making sure that students are familiarized withthis form and type of education.Regarding Innovative Science and ResearchPoint 16. intensify scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region qualitatively andquantitatively and therefore11Poland Page 13• promote the development of more credible projections of the future of the Baltic Sea,based on the best basic marine research as well as the most plausible socioeconomicdevelopment scenarios and associated alterations in human pressures, and thecomplex impacts of climate change on the ecosystem,• promote the delivery of new comprehensive knowledge on true long-term effects ofvarious human pressures on all organizational levels – from genes to an ecosystem,as well as suggestions on ways to mitigate these effects• provide a scientific foundation for innovative cross-border policy making, includingpotential internalization of the costs of marine ecosystem services into the economicsystemRegarding innovative science and research, the activities undertaken by the MaritimeUniversity of Szczecin are aiming at intensifying scientific cooperation in the Baltic Sea Regionand improving its conditions to provide new comprehensive knowledge and project the futureof the Baltic Sea. It is expressed especially by scientific projects implemented in cooperationwith many partners of the Baltic Sea Region. Since 2007 MUS has taken part in:• 7 projects co-financed through the Interreg III B, Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 and Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2014-2020,• 6 projects co-financed through the South Baltic Programme 2007-2013 and InterregSouth Baltic 2014-2020,• 2 projects co-financed through ERA-NET,• 1 project co-financed through BONUS 2010-2017.The projects tackled the following issues:• maritime safety, transport and environment in the South Baltic Sea Region (projects:BALTIC MASTER I, BALTIC MASTER II);• efficient, safe and sustainable traffic at sea as well as enhanced situational awareness(projects: EFFICIENSEA, OVERSIZE BALTIC, ESABALT);• reducing ship and port emissions (projects: INNOSHIP, ENVISUM, "Plasma - catalytictreatment of exhausted emissions of ship diesel engine");• renewable energy resources and innovative hybrid propulsion of yachts (project: REP-SAIL);• clean shipping, green ports and blue growth in Baltic Sea Region (projects: GO LNG,Low Carbon Logistics);• oil spill response and reduction of marine litter impact (projects: SBOIL, MARELITT);• cross-border boating management (project SOUTH COAST BALTIC);• marine competences, technology and knowledge transfer for LNG (project MARTECHLNG).12Poland Page 14So far, the Maritime University of Szczecin has cooperated with 14 partners from Denmark, 5from Estonia, 19 from Finland, 15 from Lithuania, 1 from Latvia, 2 from Russia, and 52 fromSweden to intensify cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region and strengthen the implementationof common scientific projects answering the needs of the Region.Also, Gdynia Maritime University is one of the founders of the Polish Maritime Cluster - animportant maritime cluster in Central and Eastern Europe, an active maritime cluster player inthe Baltic Sea Region and the EU, as well as a member of the European Network of MaritimeClusters, United Nation Global Compact and The European Cluster Collaboration Platform. ThePolish Maritime Cluster focuses on transferring knowledge and organizing business, scienceand administration cooperation in a global and regional scale. The cluster thinks globally andacts globally. Polish Maritime Cluster is an effective promoter of Maritime Poland and utilizesPolish coastal location as a national treasure. Cluster acts as a partner and a participant innumerous endeavors regarding Polish maritime economy, including by creating it as anequivalent of the national and European intelligent specialization. Cluster also interacts in theInternational Ocean Governance programme. What is important leads other importantinitiatives. The Centre for Maritime Engineering Education - established in 2001 in order toprovide best possible quality development in education and training of engineers. The CMEE isa satellite centre of the International Centre for Engineering Education (UICEE), which is basedat Monash University, Australia. The objective of the CMEE is to facilitate research,development and transfer of information on maritime engineering education on a global scale.The satellite centre, working with the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education,will provide the focus for the development of academic and research related activities inengineering education within the sphere of maritime engineering and will work to further theglobalisation of engineering education The Centre for Maritime Education and Training - thisunit has been created to promote the maritime education among young people and also toprovide a specific training for professionals. Recently Gdynia Maritime University'srepresentatives took part in meetings to leading to develop the initiatives of high importancefor the maritime economy and the Baltic Sea:1. The National Centre for the Baltic Research - GMU is a partner in the Consortium whichaim is to integrate the academic environment concerned with interdisciplinary research intothe Baltic Sea and to expand the potential of Polish research institutions concerned with thesea through a joint identification of research priorities and the construction of a permanent,organised network of human and infrastructural resources. The Consortium partnerscooperate in applying for funding as part of national and international programmes. Theeducational activity conducted by the consortium as part of the provision of support foradministration and the business and non¬governmental sectors will increase the profile androle of sea research for the benefit of a sustainable maritime economy. Within this projectGMU is planning to develop a Laboratory of environmental degradation which will perform theanalysis of susceptibility of the environmental degradation on waste, sewage and harmfulliquid substances present in the port basin in connection with the operation of ships. Thedevelopment of laboratory shall be supplemented by the construction an autonomous vesselfor technical service in the port for collection of the samples for testing.2. Connect2SmallPorts - South Baltic Small Ports as Gateways towards IntegratedSustainable European Transport System and Blue Growth by Smart Connectivity Solutions) - aproject within the Seed Money initiative which is a base for the 3-year planned project to bedeveloped in 2018-2021. Gdynia Maritime University is a partner in this project.13Poland Page 153. Agreement on cooperation between GMU and the City of Gdynia signed in February2018 has given a background for the project that will develop the tools for stocktaking andanalysis of the tourist market in GdyniaPoint. 17. promote the further development of the Baltic Sea Science Network to enhancemacro-regional dimensions of science and research policy from which higher education andresearch institutions should benefit and to thus create a supra-regional network thatprovides an “administrative network” in addition to the existing “scientific network” tomanage the scientific cooperation in a useful and targeted way, especially in the frameworkof the project “Baltic Science Network”Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education as associated partner to Baltic Science Network isengaged in supporting University of Gdańsk as full project partner as well as in consulting policypapers, policy briefs and scientific reports as it provided by BSN partners and sub-contractors. Therepresentatives of Ministry took part in Baltic Science Network transnational seminar New Toolsfor Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation in Research and Innovation Programmes(Nov 16, 2017, Tallinn, Estonia) as well as in strategic workshop Baltic Science Network Retreat(Feb 5-6, 2018, Hamburg, Germany).Point. 18. take a more active role with regard to providing sustainable resources for researchand development in order to further innovations by developing e.g. common standards, datasecurity and intellectual property rights within the Baltic Sea RegionMaritime Institute in Gdańsk is a partner in the "Multi-Use in European Seas (MUSES)" project - atwo year Horizon 2020 funded project exploring the opportunities for Multi-Use in European Seasacross five sea basins: the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and theEastern Atlantic.The development of Multi-Use of ocean space is demand driven by the needs of users, andunderpinned by legislative, environmental and socio-economic perspectives.In the realm of marine resource utilisation Multi-Use should be understood as the joint use ofresources in close geographic proximity. This can involve either a single user or multiple users. It isan umbrella term that covers a multitude of use combinations in the marine realm and representsa radical change from the concept of exclusive resource rights to the inclusive sharing of resourcesby one or more users.The objectives of such a multi-use approach, and for the MUSES Project to research are:• To ensure that activities/uses in the same and/or adjacent marine areas are compatible;• To minimize the necessary infrastructures by offering multiple uses of installations, thusdecreasing costs and avoiding dispersion of constructions that might affect the environment;• To protect the environment and make best possible management of the marine resources;• To promote spatial efficiency by organizing combined uses into “hubs” and keeping asmuch space as possible free for future purposes;14Poland Page 16• To make best possible use of new technologies and innovations that could serve thepreviously mentioned objectives and contribute in cost, space and energy saving and inenvironment protection;• To promote mutual understanding and cooperation, thus avoiding possible antagonisms,negative reactions and delays of investments and operation.The main outcomes to address these issues will be delivered in Work packages (WP) 2, 3 and 4.Three main work packages1. Sea Basin Overview of Multi-Uses (WP2): Regional overviews of multi-use which take intoaccount EU sea basins (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Eastern Atlantic)will be based on an analytical framework to facilitate adoption of a common approach across thesea basins. The progress in implementation of the concept of Multi-Uses in European Sea Basinswill be assessed and key obstacles and drivers identified.2. Case Studies (WP3): MUSES will assess potential synergies for multi-use as well as thechallenges encountered through a series of case studies with different thematic, geographic andfocus area dimensions, and engage local stakeholders to identify barriers, opportunities,limitations and needs.3. Action Plan (WP4): MUSES will develop an action plan to ascertain the real opportunitiesfor multi-use in European Seas, including the scope for innovation and Blue Growth potential. Theaction plan will be developed actively with stakeholders. It will show the potentiality of oceanspace, highlight where benefits can be realized, draw attention to barriers that can be overcomeand provide recommendations on what actions are needed in order to enable this.The action plan will be one of the main deliverables of the MUSES project. Substantial effort willtherefore be made to produce a well-designed, easy-to-read, comprehensive printed document,which shall be promoted extensively beyond the lifetime of the project itself.Moreover, NMFRI implements the EU Multiannual Programme (EU MAP) for fisheries datacollection under the Data Collection Framework. This is done through the internationalcoordination and cooperation in the collection and storage of biological, economic and ecosystemdata from commercial fisheries, research surveys as well as through the coordination of researchfor the description and evaluation of the fishing sector. The Institute collects biological data bysampling commercial and recreational fisheries and by conducting research surveys at sea, as wellas economic data on the fishing fleet and fish processing industry.Within the framework of the Baltic International Trawl Surveys (BITS) and the Baltic InternationalAcoustic Surveys (BIAS) long-term programmes, the National Marine Fisheries Research Instituteconducts four research surveys executed on board of the research vessel “Baltica” - two bottom-trawl surveys and two acoustic and pelagic-trawl surveys. The principal methods of investigations,timing of the BITS and BIAS surveys and the scheme of randomly selected control-hauls spatialdistribution in the bottom zone of the southern Baltic are designed and coordinated by the ICESBaltic International Fish Survey Working Group (WGBIFS).In the context of the Data Collection Framework, NMFRI actively participate in the work of thefollowing ICES Working Groups and Workshops:WGBIOP - Working Group on Biological Parameters15Poland Page 17PGDATA - Planning Group on Data Needs for Assessments and AdviceWGRFS - Working Group on Recreational Fisheries SurveysWGBIFS - Baltic International Fish Survey Working GroupWGCHAIRS - Advisory Working Group ChairsWGBAST - Baltic Salmon and Trout Assessment Working GroupWGBFAS - Baltic Fisheries Assessment Working GroupWGEEL - Working Group on EelsWGBYC - Working Group on Bycatch of Protected SpeciesWKBaltSalmon - ICES benchmark Workshop of Baltic SalmonWKGIC - Workshop on Growth-increment Chronologies in Marine FishWKTRUTTA - Workshop on Sea TroutWGZE - Working Group on Zooplankton EcologyDIG - Data and Information GroupWGSFD - Working Group on Spatial Fisheries DataWGCATCH - Working Group on Commercial Catch SamplingWGFAST - Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics Science and TechnologyWGOH - Working Group on Oceanic HydrographyWGTRUTTA - Working Group on Assessment Models and Biological Reference Points for SeaTroutSC RDB - Steering Committee for the Regional Data BaseWKBEBCA - Workshop on Biological input to Eastern Baltic cod Assessment.Point. 19. continue to support the efforts in building closer ties between analytical researchinstitutions and businesses in the framework of the Baltic TRAM (Transnational Research Accessin the Macro-region) projectGdynia Maritime University cooperates with widely recognized global companies, such as Kuehneund Nagel, Maersk, Rolls Royce and MOL (Europe) B.V. This cooperation concerns the possibility oforganization of internships and training for students and study visits. Such cooperation providessubstantive support for students in the process of collecting data necessary for writing a BA or MAthesis, as well as it helps to improve the didactic process of students of the selectedspecializations, implemented at GMU. Academic staff has the opportunity to carry out scientificresearch in the sphere of its interests.The University has developed an ample offer for the industry and entrepreneurs which covers:• Research and expertize - cooperation in planning of the research projects andimplementation of new technologies; joint application for financing of the projects from the EU16Poland Page 18funds; cooperation in realization of the commissioned Master or Doctoral thesis; consulting theinnovation of products or the innovative approach in the projects.• Equipment offer - the GMU owns the specific equipment which gives a wide rangeof possibility of research performance in the laboratories.• Technology offer - addressed to the entrepreneurs looking for ideas for new products,services or technologies. This offer contains technologies, research results, diagnostic methods,etc. developed by GMU scientists.Point. 20. further improve the conditions of the Baltic Sea Region in global scientific competitionthrough joint strengthened efforts by increased investments in innovative science and researchAs Coordinator for EUSBSRs Policy Area Innovation, Polish Ministry of Science and HigherEducation was involved in developing MA-Network for activating Common Provision RegulationArt. 70 (so-called ‘transnational component’). The ambition was to increase the geographicalflexibility of ERDF funds, in order to better contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy forthe BSR. The MA-Network in particular explored the applicability of regional smart specialisationtool in the theme of ‘clean-tech’. Three project proposal has been identified and proposed to NCsand EUCOM for further negotiations on further preparation the relevant financing scheme.Gdynia Maritime University (GMU) implements also series of national projects related tofundamental research, infrastructure research, research and development, educational researchand research connected with enhancement of scientific-didactic employees' competences. Intotal, over the last 10 years 72 projects have been conducted of the total value about 25 millionEUR.GMU is a signatory of the agreement of Smart Specializations of Pomerania, in the area ofoffshore and port-logistics technologies. This undertaking, coordinated by the Marshall Office ofthe Pomerania Region, being in line with the National Smart Specializations and the DevelopmentStrategy of the Pomeranian Region, is aimed at launching and using the industry potentialsimportant for the region and developing of the smart specializations of the region. ThePomeranian Voivodship government has committed to launch a mechanism to identify and verifyareasof economic activity that may determine the future competitive position of the region. Thismechanism will allow the concentration of interventions and its flexible adaptation to thechanging market conditions, including international ones.Point. 21. recognize the EUSBSRs Policy Area Innovation and Policy Area Education commitmentto ensure a prosperous, sustainable and competitive region based on front running innovation,research and higher education activities as “a common good” and highlight the Importance ofdeveloping measures to overcome innovation and performance gapsPolicy Area Coordinator (PAC) Poland for Innovation has been promoted a new flagship projectproposal called ‘ExTraS – Entrepreneurship, Talents and Support for SMEs’ based on two on-goingmain projects funded by Interreg Vb BSR: 1) SnowMan is led by the VIA University College,Denmark (budget €2,09M) with 13 partners from 5 BSR MSs; 2) INBETS is led by the Baltic SeaAcademy, Germany (budget €2,46M) with 14 partners from 10 BSR, mostly from LT, LV or PL.17Poland Page 19Cross-border development and transfer of innovative and sustainable aquaculture of the NationalMarine Fisheries Research Institute states that the aim of the InnoAquaTech project was (i) toidentify innovative technologies used in aquaculture allowing for the optimal use of naturalresources and to minimise the impact on the environment, with particular emphasis on thedevelopment of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS); (ii) to identify factors favouring thedevelopment of aquaculture in the South Baltic region or constituting a barrier to thisdevelopment, taking into account local conditions; (iii) to exchange knowledge and know-howbetween the scientific community and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as potentialinvestors in the region.Blue Growth boundaries in novel Baltic food webs. The project concerns the assessment of thepossibility of providing ecosystem goods and services, i.e. using the potential of blue growth,through the trophic network of the Baltic changing under the influence of climate change andanthropogenic factors, while achieving good environmental status.Multilevel assessment of microplastics and associated pollutants in the Baltic Sea. In 2017, theimplementation of tasks crucial for achieving the main objectives of the project began, e.g. theassessment of occurrence and distribution of microplastics from emission sources and their role inthe transfer of chemical pollutants in the Baltic Sea, clarification of the impact of microplastics onmarine organisms and the trophic network, development of methods for their detection andmonitoring in the Baltic Sea, as well as developing strategies to mitigate the effects ofmicroplastics on the marine environment.Biodiversity changes - causes, consequences and management implications. The aim of the projectis to determine the dynamics of biological diversity in the Baltic Sea, its causes and effects on thefunctioning of trophic networks, as well as the consequences for the existing biodiversitymanagement system.Actions aiming to participate in further international projects concerning the development ofscientific knowledge, increasing the community awareness and providing public bodies with toolsto manage pressure in the Baltic Sea region are taken.Point. 22. strengthen citizen awareness of education and science as important innovationresources through suitable measuresPoland has initiated project called “EDU-ARCTIC” (financed by H2020, led by Institute ofGeophysics, Polish Academy of Science) which is focused on attracting young people from Europeto natural sciences and polar research by introducing innovative program based on materials fromstations in the Arctic. Together with our partners from Norway, Iceland, France and Faroe Islandswe are offering webinars with experts in polar research, competitions for students, who get achance to visit an Arctic station, citizen science environmental monitoring and a Polarpedia – aweb-based encyclopaedia about the polar regions, explaining polar phenomena, polar researchtopics and key scientific terminology.Point. 23. referring to the success of the Baltic Sea Science Day held for the first time in St.Petersburg on 8 February 2017, to support and promote the continuation of this initiative as auseful tool for improving the visibility of the Region’s achievements and potential in the field ofscience, research and innovationas above ad. 4Point. 24. support BONUS II18Poland Page 20Current dialogue within Baltic Science Network on the topic for mobility and scientific excellence;in the past PA-INNO supported Bonus Programme on dedicated call for innovation (2012);Point. 25. intensify measures to facilitate cross-border integration of interdisciplinary Earthsystem science in the Baltic regionInstitute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Science as mandated by Ministry of Science and HigherEducation to represent Poland in the ESFRI large-scale infrastructure project platform called“Svalbard Integrated Earth Observing System” has become fully operational as of January 26 2018,on the basis of MoU signed by all members of consortium.Another field of GMU is activities that refer to its maritime oriented character is the membershipin international organisations. The International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) inTokyo, Japan is a global network of leading maritime universities providing Maritime Educationand Training (MET) of seafarers for the global ship industry. IAMU was founded in 1999 by 7maritime higher education institutions, on the initiative of Istanbul Technical Universityrepresentatives - Mr. Hisashi Yamamoto and Prof. Osman Sag, with the shared recognition of thesignificance of maritime education and training during the rapid globalization of internationalshipping in the XXI century. During the first Annual General Assembly of the IAMU (AGA) in 2000,21 maritime universities joined the newly established organization, including Gdynia MaritimeUniversity. The association consists currently of 63 members who meet the requirements of highermaritime education on the first, second and third level. The Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japansupports the activities of the IAMU through granting research grants. In 2007 the IAMU obtainedthe consultative status of Non-Governmental International Organization (NGO) representing theacademic maritime community, authorized to participate in the IMO sessions. The Annual GeneralAssembly (AGA), held at individual partner university, is the main forum of the IAMU to allowexchange of information, approve policy, and foster good relations and collaboration amongmembers of the association. Scientific conferences, presentations of the ongoing researchprojects, as well as separate conferences for students, so called IAMU Students (IAMUS)Conferences, are held during the assembly. The 12th General Annual Assembly of the IAMU (12AGA IAMU) took place in Gdynia in 2011. GMU hosted 150 professors representing 48 memberuniversities and over 30 students. This event was accompanied by a unique visits of researchtraining ships. During two terms (2014-2016 and 2016-2018), GMU took over the presidency of agroup of 35 member universities from the Europe and Africa Region and in the Academic AffairCommittee (AAC), supervising the research projects and publishing activities of the association.GMU is also a member of the IAMU International Executive Board (IEB).Point. 26. call for seeking synergies and measures for developing the Arctic-Baltic joint vision,collaboration and scientific performancePolish Ministry of Science and Higher Education has approved “Strategy for Polish Polar Research –a concept for the years 2017-2027” and has been actively supporting the polish polar researchentities and individuals during the Polish-related thematic part of Arctic Circle Assembly 2017 inReykjavik (Iceland).The National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI) participates in scientific internationalcooperation within the framework of ICES and HELCOM, supporting the process of providingcomprehensive knowledge on true long-term effects of human pressures in the following areas:19Poland Page 21• Scientific basis for sustainable management of fisheries resources;• Quality, safety and use of seafood;• Opportunities and risks of coastal fisheries;• Blue growth potential in the Baltic region;• Environmental status of the southern Baltic;• Biodiversity in marine ecosystems.The scientific cooperation is implemented with statutory subsidies from the Ministry of Scienceand Higher Education and within international projects funded under, among others: 7thFramework Programme, H2020, Joint Baltic Sea Research and Development Programme BONUS-185 and BONUS-BB, and the Interreg South Baltic Programme.Examples of projects that the NMFRI implements as part of the Resolution's assumptions:The population dynamics of major commercial fish in the light of environmental factors togetherwith the implications of rational resource management. The purpose of the research was todetermine the state of resources of basic for the fisheries Baltic fish species exploited by the Polishfleet, forecast their biomass changes in the coming years and propose the fishing opportunities inthe light of the precautionary principle and MSY principle.Integrating SPatIal pRocesses into Ecosystem models for sustainable utilization of fish resources,INSPIRE. One of the main objectives of the project was to develop ecosystem scientific advice onthe management of cod, herring, sprat and flatfish resources, taking into account their variablespatial distribution.Co-creating Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Solutions – MareFrame. The basic goal of theproject is to remove barriers hindering the wide application of the ecosystem approach toresource management - methods and tools for decision support in resource managementincluding ecosystem aspects will be developed. The project supports the Maritime Strategy(MSFD) and the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU (CFP) with respect to indicators of "goodenvironmental status" (GES) and models for ecosystem management of resources.Seafood safety and quality in terms of the zoonotic and toxicological hazard: risk assessment,monitoring and mitigation. Project aims to: (i) assess risk and minimise the effects of the presenceof pathogens, allergens and toxic substances in Baltic fish; (ii) develop innovative technologies forthe production of fish products that meet high quality and safety standards.Point. 27. Improve the short-term mobility possibilities of researchers by providingunbureaucratic support outside of large funded projects to allow for more flexibilityin visibility and international research collaboration and a better integration of the Baltic SeaRegion research landscape, to intensify the mobility of teaching professionals and studentsby stipend programmes for mobility within the Baltic Sea Region imparting the benefitsof scientific and cultural exchanges and while strengthening and to promoting summer schoolsas well as exchange programmes in the Baltic Sea RegionImprovement of mobility schemes for the BSR are the party of Work Package 4.2 co-led byUniversity of Gdańsk (more publication to come[1]), Ministry facilitates dialogue between UG andPolish National Academic Exchange Agency (NAWA).Regarding Sustainable Tourism[1] http://www.baltic-science.org/index.php/publications20Poland Page 22Implementation of the postulate for the implementation of sustainable tourism, especially culturaltourism is associated with the launch of the new project “Routes 4U” – one of the jointprogrammes for 2017-2020, established as a result of cooperation European Commission with theCouncil of Europe. DG Regio is responsible for the implementation of the project together with DGGROW and DG EAC. The aim of the project is to support regional development through EuropeanCultural Routes in 4 macro-regions: Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic/Ionian Sea and Alps. Budget of theprogramme is 1,1 mln EUR. Project management was entrusted to the Steering Committee, whichconsists of 16 members: DG REGIO representatives, European Cultural Routes in 4 macro-regions,Secretariat of the Extended Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe on Cultural Routes (EPA)and EPA Management Board. The project aims to promote existing routes and create new ones.Activities undertaken in the framework “Routes4U” will help developing sustainable culturaltourism in macro-regions. The use of tourist applications is planned, as well as the organization oftrainings for trail management associations. This is an opportunity for entities from the Baltic Seamacro-region for the creation of tourist products of high quality, based on cultural heritageresources, taking into account the preservation of the natural environment and socio-economicgrowth in the region.Among other actions planned for the second half of this year by Polish Ministry of Culture andNational Heritage it is worth to mention about organization of the international forum “Culturalheritage in politics and in the promotion of the development of Baltic Sea region”. Forum will beaddressed to the Baltic countries and will focus on three topics (security of cultural heritage of theBaltic countries, cultural potential of the region – cultural tourism, cross-border projects formaintaining and using of heritage resources in the region).Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage – as a Coordinator of PA Culture - focuses onpromotion and presenting of the culture of Baltic Sea region, creation of effective framework ofcultural cooperation, promotion of maintaining of cultural heritage of the region and promotion ofcreative industries through encouraging to the creative entrepreneurship. The main aim of PACulture’s planned activities is intensification of dialogue and regional cooperation through theorganization of common events and meetings; implementation of the goals of Agenda ofSustainable Development – 2030 through cultural tourism, promotion of cultural heritage of theregion and intergenerational and social activities; using the potential of digitalization and digitalinnovations for promotion of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, promotion of “cultural routes”and other areas of culture and creative sectors.Points 28 - 40Points 28-40 are implemented as part of ongoing work carried out by the Steering Committee ofPriority Area “Tourism” in the EUSBR, Tourist Forum of the Baltic States, Consultative Committeefor Transnational and Interregional Projects, Consultative Group for Interreg South BalticProgramme’s Projects and contacts between Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism and tourismdepartments of provincial offices and regional organizations of the Pomeranian, West Pomeranianand Warmian-Masurian Voivodships.During the meetings of Steering Committee of Priority Area “Tourism” in the EUSBR, projects,supported by Priority Area “Tourism”, has been monitored and Polish Ministry of Sport andTourism has supported ongoing projects in the Baltic Sea region, in which Polish institutions haveplayed role of “leading partners”:- Baltic Museum Love IT – leading partner – Szczecin University, which has createdcooperation network of local museums,21Poland Page 23- Baltic Pass- Maritime Heritage Tours – leading partner - Municipal Centre for Sport andRecreation in Gdańsk,- Baltic Stories – West Pomerian Voivodship,- Biking South Baltic – promotion and development of Baltic bike routes, which is activelyworking in favour of improving bike of infrastructure in the region and is a good example ofecological tourism and can potentially contribute to the creation of new jobs (points 32,35)Above mentioned projects contribute to the integration of natural, cultural and humanenvironment in the Baltic Sea region (point 37). In the same time all these projects areimplemented in the area of sustainable tourism based on natural and cultural heritage, importantfor implementation of the vision of the Baltic Sea region as sustainable Euroregion (point 29)Also projects with “leading partners” from Baltic Sea region countries other than Poland, has beenmonitored during the meetings of Steering Committee of Priority Area “Tourism” in the EUSBR.Specially worth to mention about:- Center for Baltic Sea Tourism, co-financed by Interreg South Baltic Programme, withRegional Tourist Organization from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a “leading partner” andPomeranian Regional Tourist Organization from Gdańsk as one of the main partners of theprojects (points 28, 29, 33, 34, 36)- “From Sustainable Development Goals to the Sustainable Tourism in the Baltic Sea Region”,which is dedicated to creation of criteria of sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea region,with Regional Tourist Organization from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a “leading partner”(points 28, 29, 32, 34, 40)Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism has cooperated with Gdynia University on working out theconcept of European Tourism Academy – creation of expert cooperation network from scientificinstitutions in the Baltic Sea region, which will serve for exchange of statistic data and scientificstudies in the region (point 39). As today, network is composed of 12 experts from 5 Baltic Searegion’ countries. In the future Baltic Tourism Academy can make possible to joint commissioningof research (point 29).As a part of work of Consultative Group for Interreg South Baltic Programme’s and ConsultativeCommittee for Transnational and Interregional Projects (IBSR projects), Central Europe Interreg,Baltic Interreg Programme, projects: Baltic Stories, Biking-South Baltic, Baltic Pass – MaritimeHeritage Tours, Baltic Museum Love IT has been supported. Its implementation, after itsconfirmation and co-financing from European funds, helps mobilizing of sustainable tourismpotential in order to transform Baltic Sea Region as a common and coherent tourist area.Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism actively supports preparations to Baltic Sea Tourism Forum(Helsinki, 1-3.11.2017). During organizational meetings, the level of engagement of Polishinstitutions in the Forum was defined:- Prof. Jakub Szwach (Szczecin University, Institute of Information Technology andManagement) presented information about tourists engagement’ in era of digitalizationand gamification (deliberate change of people's behaviors through the use of mechanismsknown from games) of tourist products. He shown this way achievements of digitalizationin promotion of sustainable tourism (point 37)- dr. Tomasz Studzieniecki presented the concept of European Tourism Academy (point 39)22Poland Page 24Tourism Department in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism as a National Contact Point hascoordinated works of tourism sector through distribution of various information (filling out thesurvey “Future of Tourism in the Baltic Sea region”, invitation for seminar “Benefits for businessfrom participation in EUSBSR projects”, information about the possibility of applying to theprogram for the implementation of the project “Promotion of the Baltic Sea Region as anattractive tourist destination, information about searching the partners to QUISST project(Qualification Upgrading In Sustainable Seaside Tourism), information about searching for aforeign lecturer, who has experience in running a small company organizing cruises on a seminarwithin the project A joint approach to guide a growing baltic city into a real baltic city.During workshops “Baltic Brand for Baltic Sea Region”, which were organized by “Tourism” PriorityArea Coordinator for Annual EUSBSR Forum (Berlin, 12-14.06.2017) it was found that biggerentities (institutions) are usually more effective. It was also found that creation one brand for theBaltic Sea Region can increase the strength of the tourism sector. During the workshops researchon involvement of Baltic Sea Region countries in promotional activities (also in the distantmarkets) was done. Work of Tourism Department as a Contact Point allowed to raise awareness ofthe need to start work on Baltic Brand among the partners from Baltic countries andpopularization among the tourism industry awareness of implementation of the projects financedfrom EU funds (point 30).Point. 30. further examine the use of carbon footprints to improve the comparability andattractiveness of tourism products and their ecological and economic impacts; further improvethe transparency of tourism products as to their quality in terms of sustainability, e.g. by usingcommon labels and standardsGdynia Maritime University in addition, it re-designs projects related to:1) JOHANN - Joint Development of Small Cruise Ship tourism heritage products in theSouthern Baltic Sea Region - the project conducted within the cooperation: the Interreg SouthBaltic Programme for 2014 - 2020.2) Small and medium-sized ports collaboration for efficient supply chains - (SMPorts), thedraft project within seed money for the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme.3) Holistic Management of Maritime Transportation based on integrated Safety andEnvironmental Indicators - the draft project within seed money for the Interreg Baltic Sea RegionProgramme.4) SAT-AIS-PL Phase A, the project conducted with the European Space Agency funds.5) Small and medium-sized Baltic Sea ports development challenges, the international projectconducted within the CBSS Project Support Facility.6) A pan-European framework for strengthening critical infrastructure resilience to climatechange (EU-CIRCLE), the project conducted within the programme Horizon 2020.7) Assessing the potential of future maritime applications in the context of VDE (VHF DataExchange System (JERICHO-VDE), the project realised with the European Space Agency funds.8) POL SAT-AIS, the project realised with the European Space Agency funds.9) Towards Intelligent Micro-Bearings - Tribological Aspects (IMBeing), the project conductedwithin the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (EU), People -Marie Curie (IRSES).10) StarDust - The Strategic Project on Trans-national Commercial Activities in Research &Innovation, Cluster and in SME-Networks, the project conducted within the Baltic Sea RegionProgramme 2007- 2013. k) SAFEPORT - The support system for port entry and mooring of ships asan element of intelligent transport system (ERA_NET_MARTEC). l) Analysis and study of23Poland Page 25operational active filters for ship applications. m) EfficienSea - Efficient, Safe and SustainableTraffic at Sea, the project funded within the Transnational Cooperation Programme of the BalticSea Region Programme 2007¬2013.11) Safety and reliability of complex industrial systems and processes. o) Maritime TransportCoordination Platform (acronym: MTCP), the project conducted within the 6th FrameworkProgramme for Research and Technological Development (EU).12) Safety and Reliability of Industrial Systems and Structures. (acronym: SAFEREL), the projectconducted within the 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development(EU). q) Thematic Network on Maritime Education, Training and Mobility of Seafarers (acronym:METNET), the project conducted within the 5th Framework Programme for Research andTechnological Development (EU).Point. 31. promote wastewater facilities at harbours in the Baltic Sea RegionRepresentatives of Polish passenger ports, shipping industry, national administrations andmunicipal wastewater treatment plants actively participate in regional discussions of the HELCOMCooperation Platform on Special Area According to MARPOL Annex IV, which aims to promotedialogue and exchange experience on good practices in planning, implementing and operatingPort Reception Facilities (PRFs) for sewage.The investments in the biggest Polish passenger ports (Gdynia, Gdańsk and Świnoujście) arecurrently ongoing in order to upgrade capacities of the sewage infrastructure to receive wastewater from biggest cruise vessels and ferries.Information on funding possibilities with regard to improvements in wastewater facilities in Polishports are also regularly shared and promoted.Point.36. foster a joint promotion by private and public stakeholders of the Baltic Sea Region asa tourism destination especially in new source markets and to foster cooperation in the regionas a main key for the successful development of the Baltic Sea Region.The NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium began implementation of the BalticMuseums: Love IT! project. It is anew brand of gamified tourist products for sustainable development of natural and culturalheritage tourist destinations. The project assumes close intersectoral cooperation betweenscientific institutions, tourist attractions, non-governmental organizations and final recipients.Nine partner institutions from 5 European countries, along with 8 associated organizations, willcreate IT tools that will support the promotion of natural and cultural heritage from the SouthBaltic region. When it comes to sustainable tourism, the Maritime University of Szczecin iscurrently taking part in a project co-financed through the Interreg South Baltic Programme titled"SOUTH COAST BALTIC- Establishing durable cross-border boating destination management on thebasis of the MARRIAGE cooperation network". The overall idea of the project is to make the cross-border boating region durably attractive through establishing a comprehensive cross-borderdestination management which would combine joint marketing with the improvement of boatingservices and infrastructure.24RussiaRussia Page 2Moscow, November 2017Informationon Russia’s implementation of the BSPC resolutionsThe Russian Ministry of Environment in regard of the implementation of the24th and 25th BSPC resolutions is glad to inform as follows.We believe that the multilateral co-operation of the Baltic States on theconservation of eco-system and natural resources in the region is based on theConvention on the Protection of the Marine Environment the Baltic Sea Area i.e.the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM). The Russian Ministry of Environment isentrusted with fulfilling Russia’s commitments to the Convention.The Russian Federation considers HELCOM Action Plan on the Baltic Seaadopted in 2007 at the HELCOM session as the guidelines for recovering theBaltic Sea environment. Respective actions are being taken at both federal andregional levels.The Russian national program on the restoration and rehabilitation of theBaltic Sea ecosystem is aimed at the implementation of the BSPC resolutions. TheRussian government assigned the multi-faceted nature to the program. Theprogram funds come from federal and regional target programs, bilateral andmultilateral agreements, international projects and Pubic-Private Partnership.Among the most significant achievements we would like to mention thefollowing.State Unitary Organisation “Vodokanal Saint-Petersburg” successfullycompleted the construction of the main trunk sewer (pipe canal) in the north of thecity (a complex of engineering facilities second to none in the world) and theconstruction of the main tunnel sewer. These actions brought the amount ofRussia Page 3purified sewage waters in the city up to 98% which is one of the best figures formegalopolises across the globe.Regarding the reduction of biogens from agriculture, the Leningrad regiondevised technical regulations on the use of manure for three regional cattle-breeding farms. This activity was part of the program on the use of manure in thecattle-breeding farms of the Leningrad region, initiated together with NEFCO andthe “Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership Project”.The Russian Ministry of Environment in co-operation with other Federal andRegional agencies, representatives of Russian and international companies,financial and public organizations is working on the development andreinforcement of “Saint-Petersburg Initiative (SPI)” – international platform forthe Public-Private Partnership in order to develop cross-border co-operation andprojects for the better Baltic environment.Within SPI a number projects have been prepared and are being implementedon a wide range of issues i.e. on waste treatment, on biodiversity, on conservation,on “green shipping”, on raising environmental awareness just to name a few.SwedenSweden Page 210 August 2018RFoWll ow-up on the 26th BSPC resolution– replies recieved from the Swedish Government OfficesRegardingRegarding Democratic Participation and the Digital AgeReply from the Ministry of CultureResolution paragraph 6 - further improve and develop means of democraticparticipation, e.g. through transparency, comprehensive information,government accountability and other instruments of citizen participation;New strategy for a strong democracy – takes a holistic approach in order tostrengthen democracy• On 20 June 2018, the Government adopted a strategy for its democracypolicy. In the strategy, the Government highlights the challenges currentlyRegafar cing democracy, and establishes the priorities for Sweden’s futuredemocracy policy. The strategy commences with an overview of the currentstatus of democracy. Swedish democracy stands strong and has goodprospects of continuing to develop. This is followed by a description ofchanges in society that have an impact on Swedish democracy, such as amore globalised economy, growing international migration and an ever fasterdigitalisation. In the lights of these changes in society, the Government hasidentified three challenges to democracy which are especially important toaddress: democratic exclusion, a threatened democratic dialogue and anti-democratic actors who challenge our democracy. The Government takes anoverall approach to ongoing and future measures to safeguard and strengthendemocracy: promote – more people shall participate in democracy; gainsupport – more people shall understand and practise democracy and; defend– more people shall stand up for democracy.https://www.regeringen.se/informationsmaterial/2018/06/strategi-for-en-stark-demokrati--framja-forankra-forsvara/THE SWEDISH PARLIAMENT SE-100 12 Stockholm • Phone +46 8 786 40 00 • www.riksdagen.se1 (15)Sweden Page 3Selection of measures for a high level of, and more equal, participation inelections• School elections in schools throughout the country: The Government hasgiven the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF) theassignment of carrying out preparations for school elections in connectionwith the 2018 general elections and the election to the European Parliamentin 2019. School elections give young people a concrete experience of voting,at the same time as they are encouraged to discuss social issues anddemocracy in their schools. In connection with the 2018 elections, theGovernment is planning to carry out school elections in compulsory andupper secondary schools throughout the country. Prior to the general electionin 2014, 2070 schools participated. In the 2018 school elections, specialfocus will be placed on participation by schools in weaker socioeconomicareas.• Support to municipalities and organisations to promote participation inthe elections: The Government has given the Swedish Agency for Youth andCivil Society (MUCF) the assignment of allocating support to organisationsin civil society and to municipalities with activities designed to increaseturnout in the 2018 elections.• Funding to the parties in the Riksdag for special information measures:The Government has allocated funding to the parties in the SwedishParliament (the Riksdag) for special information measures in connection withthe elections. This funding provides the parties with greater opportunities toreach out to voters, and in particular to groups of eligible voters with lowparticipation in previous elections.• The website “All voters” (”Alla väljare”): The Government has given theSwedish Agency for Accessible Media (MTM) the assignment of continuingto run the website www.allavaljare.se, with easy-to-read news in connectionwith the 2018 elections. The purpose is to increase opportunities for peoplewith reading difficulties to access information and participate in the politicaldebate during the election year.Selection of measures to increase democratic participation between elections• Support to civil society in order to increase participation in areas withsocioeconomic challenges: Delmos (the delegation against segregation) hasbeen given the assignment by the Government to distribute centralgovernment grants to NGOs and foundations in order to reduce and2 (15)Sweden Page 4counteract segregation, among other things, for activities that help to increasedemocratic participation. The new central government funding means that, in2018, there will be a total of SEK 53 million to apply for and between 2019and 2025, there will be approximately SEK 75 million annually.• Survey of democratic participation in areas with socioeconomicchallenges: Delmos (the delegation against segregation) has been given theassignment to carry out a comparative study in order to increase knowledgeof democratic participation among inhabitants of areas with socioeconomicchallenges.• Better opportunities to get involved either full-time or part-time inmunicipal politics: The Government has introduced amendments to theLocal Government Act which mean that municipalities and county councilswill be entitled to grant municipal and county council commissioners thesame benefits, e.g. as regards parental leave, as municipal and county councilemployees. The legislative amendment means that the Government hasimplemented the Commission on Democracy’s proposal (SOU 2016:5) togive elected representatives greater opportunities to take parental leave orsick leave.• Citizens’ dialogue in complex issues: Since 2016, the Government hasgranted funding to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions(SKL) for measures to increase the ability among municipal officials andelected representatives to carry out citizens’ dialogues in contentious issues,where opinions among the population are polarised. 167 municipalities haveparticipated in this work so far (SKL, preliminary report 2018).• Strengthened work with democracy issues within faith communities: TheSwedish Agency for Support to Faith Communities (SST) has been assignedto support faith communities’ work with democracy and human rights. Theassignment includes matters relating to women’s participation and how tostrengthen measures to combat violent extremism. SST has also been giventhe assignment of carrying out knowledge-raising measures targeted atleaders of faith communities, with a focus on social issues and values.• Greater knowledge about young people’s social inclusion: From 2018 andfor three years, the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF) isworking with a project about building up and disseminating knowledge aboutyoung people’s social inclusion, and about methods to increase participation3 (15)Sweden Page 5in areas with socioeconomic challenges. The project is financed by theNordic Council of Ministers.• Participation in the EU: In order to increase knowledge of how the EUworks and of ways to influence decisions that are made at EU level, theGovernment has strengthened work with courses aimed at professionalcategories such as teachers, school leadership, journalists, electedrepresentatives and municipal and county council employees. TheGovernment has also implemented measures to improve forms forconsultation on EU-related matters by establishing work procedures with“thematic consultation forums on EU affairs”. Through the “EU handshake”,the Government is inviting relevant actors to help strengthen participation,knowledge and engagement in EU-related matters, including the parties tothe labour market, municipalities, county councils, youth organisations, adulteducation associations, and universities and university colleges.Selection of measures to strengthen democratic participation through civilsociety• Long-term conditions for civil society: The Government has submitted thewritten communication En politik för engagemang – långsiktighet ochoberoende för civilsamhället (skr. 2017/18:246) [A policy for engagement –a long-term approach and independence for civil society] to the Riksdag. Inthis communication, the Government presents its most important measuresfor achieving a strong and independent civil society that have been taken inthe period 2014-2018. The measures contribute to more long-term and stableterms for civil society, for example, by increasing knowledge in the publicsector about civil society, promoting more long-term grants andstrengthening the dialogue between civil society and the public sector.• Strengthened dialogue with civil society organisations: The Governmenthas strengthened the structure for dialogue and consultation between theGovernment and civil society organisations at the national level. Examples ofmeasures include the introduction of “thematic consultation forums on EUaffairs”, which is a new form of consultation between civil society and theGovernment Offices, and a new national agreement on dialogue andconsultation between the Government and civil society. The ambition is tobetter take into account the perspective of civil society in public decision-making.4 (15)Sweden Page 6• Increased support to civil society: Between 2014 and 2018, centralgovernment grants targeted solely at civil society and allocated on the basisof ordinances has increased by SEK 1.5 billion.• Greater support to public meeting premises: Within the work andactivities of clubs and associations, there is a significant demand for premisesfor meetings, cultural activities and leisure activities. The shortage ofmeeting premises is especially great in certain parts of the country, such asthe suburbs of major cities. In order to improve access to meeting premisesaround the country, the Government has increased support to public meetingpremises by SEK 20 million per year. Special priority will be given topremises in areas with socioeconomic challenges and premises for youngpeople.• Liberal adult education – a structure that strengthens citizens: Folk highschools and study associations have long traditions of offering opportunitiesfor education and culture on a democratic basis and of strengtheningindividuals in free and critical thought. In total, during the current term ofoffice, the Government has increased grants to study associations and folkhigh schools by about SEK 1.8 billion.• Investments in culture and participation in areas with socioeconomicchallenges: During the period 2016-2018, the Government has invested SEK130 million with the aim of strengthening cultural life and involvement inculture in areas with socioeconomic challenges. The project “Äga rum”[Taking place], with part-projects under the Swedish Arts Council and thePublic Art Agency Sweden, includes developing new methods for citizeninfluence, with a focus on the local civil society.• Continuing professional development for teachers in democracy:Through the national schools development programmes, the SwedishNational Agency for Education offers principals, pre-schools and schoolssupport in developing their teaching and pedagogical activities. The SwedishNational Agency for Education has strengthened schools developmentprogrammes with two packages which provide schools with betteropportunities to develop their work in democracy-related questions. In one ofthe packages, school staff receive support in developing methods thatincrease pupils’ influence and participation in teaching. In the other, they aregiven support in developing efforts to promote equal treatment in schools.5 (15)Sweden Page 7• Strengthened support to help teachers deal with controversial issues inthe classroom: In order to help teachers to develop their methods forteaching about controversial issues and dealing with difficult discussions inmatters relating to, for example, racism and extremism, the Swedish NationalAgency for Education has published new background material within theframework of the national schools development programmes. Issues thatprovoke strong feelings can create tensions in the classroom, and it is animportant aspect of the school system’s democratic assignment that teachershave the tools to deal with such situations.Selection of measures to strengthen confidence in elected representativesand public agencies• Increased transparency as regards party funding: As of 1 April 2018, anew law has come into force, according to which each party and member atthe central, regional and local levels must account for their activities and foranonymous contributions above SEK 2,275 (2018 price level). In order toachieve greater transparency and make it easier for the public, countycouncils and municipalities will make public information about financialsupport to the political parties that they pay by publishing this information ontheir websites. Greater transparency reduces the risk of corruption and givesthe public an insight into how the parties finance their political activities.• Transitional restrictions for ministers and state secretaries: Transitionalrestrictions will be introduced on 1 July 2018 for ministers and statesecretaries, for at most twelve months after they have terminated theirassignment or employment. The purpose is to reduce the risk of any conflictsof interests between their government assignment and their next assignmentor position. A special board under the Riksdag will examine whether aqualifying period or subject restriction is to be communicated in connectionwith the transition to a new assignment or position.• Stronger central government presence throughout the country: In orderto bring Sweden together, it is important with a central government presencethroughout the country. This include both central government jobs andcitizens’ access to service. The Government has therefore decided to relocateseveral public agencies and is working to improve central governmentpresence throughout the country.• Privacy protection for public sector employees: Occasionally, personaldata about public sector employees are requested from public agencies with6 (15)Sweden Page 8the purpose of threatening or influencing the employees’ official decisions.Threats and harassment of public sector employees is both a workenvironment problem and a democratic problem. Since 1 January 2018, allpublic sector employees are covered by privacy protection, e.g. as regardstheir residential address, private telephone number, photographic images anddata about family etc.• Strengthened democracy criterion in allocation of central governmentsubsidies: On 16 March 2018, the Government appointed an inquiry toreview the democratic terms of the ordinances that regulate the allocation ofcentral government subsidies to civil society organisations (terms ofreference 2018:19). The purpose is to ensure that public funding only goes toactivities and organisations based on democratic values such as equality andanti-discrimination.Resolution paragraph 10 - stimulate policies to enhance digitization ofdemocratic activity and processes with the aim to increase publicparticipation in decision-making through sharing of technology and bestpractices by governments and parliaments;• Increased transparency among public agencies: The Government iscarrying out new investments in open data and data-driven innovation inpublic administration. Accessibility, matching and further utilization of dataare to be promoted. Structured cooperation concerning the exchange of databetween actors in the private and public sectors shall be strengthened withthe purpose of supporting innovation and participation. It is of crucial that theneed for information security and protection of personal privacy are takeninto account in these measures.7 (15)Sweden Page 9Resolution paragraph 11 - draw attention to training and education for theyouth with regard to digitalization opportunities in order to foster acompetent and responsible use of the evolving technological innovations -thereby contributing to democratic societies in the digital age;Selection of measures to strengthen digital competence among thepopulation (all ages)• Digital competence enhancement in libraries: The Government hasdecided to implement digital competence enhancement within the librariessector in 2018-2020. The National Library of Sweden has been given theassignment of carrying out training of public librarians in Sweden in order tostrengthen their knowledge of digital media. The purpose of the assignmentis to promote digital competence among the public by training the country’spublic librarians through the regional libraries. The project also includesmedia and information knowledge.• Strengthening at central and local level in order to increase digitalcompetence: The Government has granted funding to the Digidel network inorder to establish a central coordination function and campaign organisationwith the aim of promoting digital participation and to enable people toenhance their digital competence. The Government has also allocated a grantof SEK 9.6 million to the Internet Foundation in Sweden (IIS) for 2018. TheIIS shall distribute funding and help municipalities to establish 5-10accessible, physical and staffed Digidel centres. The purpose is to strengthenopportunities among the local population to increase their digital competenceand receive help with digital services and technology in order to be able toactively choose digital options.• Support for organising training to enhance digital competence: TheGovernment has made it possible for organisations to apply for funding, froma total of SEK 10 million, from the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority inorder to be able to organise training to enable people with special needs tolearn to use IT. Special needs in this context refers to people insocioeconomically vulnerable groups, the elderly and newly arrivedimmigrants with low education levels.• A long-term digitalisation strategy: The Government has adopted thestrategy “För ett hållbart digitaliserat Sverige” [For a sustainable, digitalisedSweden] dealing with how digitalisation policy shall contribute to8 (15)Sweden Page 10economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development.Sweden’s security, information security and personal privacy shall be takeninto account here. One of the five interim goals of this strategy is digitalcompetence, which means that everyone shall be acquainted with digitaltools and services and be able to follow and participate in digitaldevelopment under their own terms.Resolution paragraph 15 - bearing in mind the importance of freedom ofexpression, explore legal possibilities and a common approach to reactagainst “Hate Speech” and “Fake News”;Selection of measures aimed at strengthening the population’s media andinformation literacy• National investment in media and information literacy for a Sweden thatsticks together: The Government intends to appoint a committee which willwork with the significance of digital environments for democracy and how tostrengthen people’s immunity to online hate and disinformation can bestrengthened. In cooperation with existing actors in the field, the committeewill work proactively with information- and knowledge-raising measures.The investment will in this way strengthen work with media and informationliteracy throughout the population.• Survey as basis for better coordination: The Swedish Press andBroadcasting Authority and the Swedish Media Council have conducted asurvey of measures for increased media and information literacy and digitalcompetence. The survey shows that both the volume of measures and thenumber of active actors is large, but that many of the measures are of a short-term nature and are unevenly distributed across the country. On the basis ofthe survey, Nordicom has drawn up a more detailed knowledge overview. Itmakes the assessment that there are considerable opportunities to developjoint measures designed to strengthen media and information literacy. Thereport was presented at the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO’sMedia and Information Literacy Conference in Stockholm in May 2018.Based on the report’s proposals for a Swedish model for work with mediaand information literacy, the Government is examining the possibility ofgiving a public agency a permanent coordinating assignment to work on along-term basis with media and information literacy.• Focus on evaluation of sources and digital competence in schools: TheGovernment has adopted a national digitalisation strategy for the educationsystem. The focus is on evaluation of sources and of strengthening the safe9 (15)Sweden Page 11and critical use of digital media in education. The Government has alsodecided that strengthened digital competence shall be included in syllabuses,degree objectives and individual course and subject syllabuses. The SwedishNational Agency for Education offers support to teachers, school librariansand other staff in schools in a critical approach and safe use of the Internet.• Protection of children and young people through media and informationliteracy: The Swedish Media Council has been given the assignment ofstrengthening children and young people as conscious media users andprotecting them from harmful media influence. The agency follows mediadevelopment with regard to children and young people and disseminatesinformation and provides guidance about children’s and young people’smedia situation. As part of this work, the Swedish Media Council hasprepared and developed “MIK för mig” [Media and information literacy forme], as well as educational materials on propaganda and the power ofimages.Selection of measures to strengthen the population’s resistance to anti-democratic actors• Assignment to strengthen democracy’s resistance: The Government hasgiven the Living History Forum the assignment of disseminating knowledgeabout the danger of undermining democracy by highlighting and discussingexamples and lessons from history. The purpose of the measures is to help toincrease democracy’s resistance by gaining support for democracy as a formof government.• Education in addressing extremist environments: The University ofGothenburg has had the assignment since 2015 of developing anddisseminating knowledge and methods in order to reduce the recruitment ofpeople to violent ideologies and movements and to racist organisations. Thiswork is to be scientifically based and above all, to focus on young peoplewho are in, or in the borderlands to, violent extremist environments,including racist and xenophobic environments. In 2015, the University ofGothenburg decided to establish an institute called the Segerstedt Institute,which is responsible for this assignment.• Collective measures against racism and hate crime: The Government hasadopted a national action plan to combat racism and similar forms of hostilityand hate crime. The Living History Forum has the assignment ofcoordinating and following up work with the action plan. The work shouldcontribute to creating an equitable society characterised by respect for all10 (15)Sweden Page 12people’s equal worth and rights and to promote democracy. The LivingHistory Forum is also carrying out a major educational project aboutdifferent forms of racism and intolerance, in the past and today. Theassignment comprises Afrophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Romanyism,Islamophobia, racism against the Sami, homophobia and transphobia.• Remembrance journeys to Holocaust memorial sites: The Governmenthas given the Living History Forum the assignment of strengtheningpreconditions for remembrance journeys to Holocaust memorial sites and hasgranted support to the Swedish Committee against Antisemitism (SKMA) fora project on remembrance journeys to Holocaust memorial sites in 2018-2020. These remembrance journeys contribute to increasing knowledge aboutthe ultimate consequences of racism and an undemocratic form ofgovernment.• The role of schools in addressing violent extremism: Our schools’democracy assignment comprises a responsibility among all staff in theeducation system to work to promote acceptance and respect for democracyand human rights among pupils. At the same time, the pupils have a freedomof expression, which encompasses the opportunity to express opinions thatconflict with democratic values. It is important to clarify the school’s roleand responsibility when it comes to addressing such opinions. For 2018, theGovernment has given the Swedish National Agency for Education theassignment of examining what role education has in work to combat violentextremism and to strengthen initiatives that are being implemented with thepurpose of supporting teachers and addressing various forms of intoleranceand extremism.• Civil society as a resistive force: For 2018, the Swedish Agency for Youthand Civil Society has received SEK 13.5 million to allocate to municipalitiesand organisations for activities that prevent the development of anti-democratic behaviours, that individuals become radicalised or to supportindividuals who want to leave violent extremist environments. The SwedishAgency for Youth and Civil Society has produced a guide on howmunicipalities and civil society can work together to combat violentextremism.Selection of measures to safeguard the democratic dialogue against threatsand hate11 (15)Sweden Page 13• More knowledge about the vulnerability of elected representatives: TheSwedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) has been given theassignment of conducting a Politicians’ Safety Survey for the fourth time.Brå will survey the extent and consequences of harassment, threats andviolence against elected representatives during the 2018 election year.• Local support to elected representatives: Since 2016, the SwedishAssociation of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) has been grantedfunding to develop and support work in municipalities and county councils tosystematically prevent and deal with threats against elected representatives.To date, SKL has carried out measures in 87 municipalities and countycouncils with approximately 4000 participating elected representatives. SKLhas also offered a development network in which eight municipalities andfour county councils have participated.• Support to freelancers and smaller editorial offices: The LinnaeusUniversity (Media Institute Fojo) has been given the assignment ofdeveloping support for journalists and editorial offices that experience threatsand hate. The Government has reinforced this assignment in 2018. Thereinforcements concern continued developments aimed particularlyvulnerable target groups, education, networks and meeting places, as well asgreater cooperation between affected actors.• Support to artists: Since 2017, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee has hada special assignment to develop support for vulnerable artists. As part of theassignment, the Committee launched the 2018 online guide – Combattingthreats and hate – a guide.• Support to opinion-makers: The Swedish National Council for CrimePrevention (Brå) has been given the assignment of producing educational andinformation materials on threats and hate towards the democratic dialogue,which is intended to be used on a broad basis, by employers, public agenciesand individuals. Furthermore, Victim Support Sweden has also been grantedfunding to be able to offer better support to individuals through its call-centreand local helplines.• Strengthened support to civil society: The Swedish Agency for Youth andCivil Society (MUCF) has been given the assignment of distributing funds tocivil society organisations for measures to combat threats and hate in publicdebate.12 (15)Sweden Page 14• Stronger protection under penal law: The Government is currentlypreparing a proposal on strong protection under penal law for electedrepresentatives. The intention is to circulate the proposal for comment beforethe 2018 elections. Protection under penal law for personal privacy has beenstrengthened and modernised through legislative amendments which cameinto force on 1 January 2018. Among other things, a new offence – unlawfulviolation of privacy – was introduced. The provisions on molestation andgross defamation have been clarified. For those responsible for providingelectronic bulletin boards, the obligation to remove certain notices from thisservice has been extended.• Reinforcement of work in the legal system: The Police Authority plays animportant role in work to combat crime that threatens our fundamentalfreedoms and rights and free formation of opinion. In its work, the PoliceAuthority has, among other things, clarified that in the event of suspicion ofcrime with the intention of influence free formation of opinion, account shallbe taken of whether it concerns serious threats or harassment which couldlead to an elected representative, a journalist or another moulder of publicopinion choosing to retire from the public arena. The Government ismonitoring this work closely. The Police Authority will present the measuresthat have been taken and to what extent there are equivalent opportunities forelected representatives, journalists and other categories to receive helpthroughout the country. The account will also include a brief description ofhow the authority intends to continue to develop this work.Selection of measures to prevent and combat attacks against democracy• A centre to combat violent extremism: On 1 January 2018, theGovernment established the Swedish Centre for Preventing ViolentExtremism (CVE) at the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention.The Centre shall promote coordination and development of preventivemeasures at the national, regional and local levels, and provide support whichis tailored to the needs of professionals. The ultimate aim is to preventideologically motivated criminality and terrorism.• Examples of assignments to agencies with the aim of preventingradicalisation: The National Board of Health and Welfare has drawn upsupport material for the social services’ work with individuals who returnfrom violent extremist groups, and has prepared an educational packagewhich clarifies how the social services can work to provide measures tochildren and young people who have been involved, or risk becominginvolved in violent extremism. The Swedish Agency for Support to Faith13 (15)Sweden Page 15Communities (SST) has, in dialogue with the faith communities, developedsupport for young people in matters relating to violent extremism. In order toincrease knowledge about children’s experiences, the Children’sOmbudsman has interviewed children about their experiences of violentIslamic extremism. The Swedish National Board of Institutional Care (SiS)has prepared an online course on violent extremism, targeted at personnelwithin the SiS youth care. The correctional care system has prepared a coursefor its personnel and strengthened the process for the consultation of pastoralcarers, e.g. Imams. FOI (the total defence research institute) has conductedquantitative surveys and analyses of violent extremist propaganda spreadonline and in social media in Sweden. The assignment has to date beenpresented in four interim reports – Hat messages in digital environments, Thedigital caliphate – about the Islamic State’s propaganda, The white hate –radical nationalism in digital environments and The digital battle –autonomous movements on the Internet. A national strategy forinformation and cyber safety: The Government has adopted a strategy (skr.2016/2017:213) with the purpose of helping to create long-term conditionsfor society’s actors to work efficiently with information and cyber safety andto raise awareness and knowledge in society. The strategy applies to thewhole of society and is based on the objectives for Sweden’s safety: tosafeguard the population’s lives and health, as well as the functionality ofsociety, the ability to maintain fundamental values such as democracy, ruleof law and human freedoms and rights.• Psychological defence: The Government intends to establish a new agencyresponsible for developing and coordinating psychological defence.Psychological defence aims to secure the population’s will to defend in timesof peace and will to resist in times of war, to ensure that impartial publicinformation can quickly be disseminated even in the event of times ofdisruption, and to identify, analyse and respond to campaigns designed toinfluence the public. Psychological defence shall also, in as far as it ispossible under disrupted conditions, ensure an open and democratic society,with freedom of opinion and free media.Regarding Sustainable Tourism – Resolution paragraph 28-40Reply from the Ministry of Enterprise and InnovationIn order to work towards the Recommendations of BSPC resolution with regardto Cooperation in tourism, we would like to highlight the following initiatedand/or planned initiatives:14 (15)Sweden Page 16Initiated: The Swedish government initiated a Commission of Inquiry in October2016. The Inquiry was instructed to submit proposals for a coherent policy for asustainable and thriving tourism and hospitality industry. The aim has been toprovide the Government with information to strengthen the tourism andhospitality industry as an engine for export growth and job creation throughoutthe country. The Inquiry submitted its report to the government in December2017. The report included 50 proposals and the report was until the beginning ofApril referred for consultation. The report and the consultative responses are nowbeing analysed in the government office. The committee’s results andrecommendation may influence the recommendations of BSPC’s regardingcooperation in tourismInitiated/planned: In May 2017 the Nordic Minister for Enterprise, in an effort toimprove the cross-border tourism cooperation, decided that a mutual plan forNordic Tourism cooperation shall be developed. In May 2018 the NordicMinister for Enterprise decided that digitalization shall be a priority for plan forNordic Tourism cooperation. This plan, once developed, may have bearing alsoon tourism cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.Initiated: In 2015 Sweden presented a New Strategy for the development ofMaritime industries (Maritima Strategin). The vision of the strategy is to developcompetitive, innovative and sustainable maritime industries that can contribute toincreased employment, reduced environmental impact and an attractive livingenvironment. A key area in this strategy is sustainable tourism industry. TheBaltic Sea region is a natural component of the Maritime strategy.Initiated/implemented: The Government have given the Swedish Agency forEconomic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) an assignment to make acontinuation of the 2012-2015 Sustainable Destination Development Programmewich had the purpose to develop sustainable destinations, increase SMEcompetitiveness, and improve knowledge in how to develop attractive andfunctional destinations with an international approach. The current sustainabletourism program - the Sustainable Production Programme was launched 2016and will run until 2019. The programme has a budget for 40 million SEK, andanother 40 million SEK in co-funding. Focus for this programme is tourism ofculture and nature. Seven projects all over Sweden are participating within thisprogramme.Initiated/implemented: In the Strategy for international branding of the NordicRegion - 2015-2018 launched by the Nordic Council of Ministers, a definedpriority is to protect and nature established collaborations, particularly in theBaltic Sea area. This will improve visibility of the Nordic and aid in marketingalso the Baltic Sea Area.15 (15)