Ullerup speech at 29 BSPC

29 BSPCYEARSBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceFIRST SESSIONVision 2030: Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region,Safe and Prosperous Development – Common Effectiveand Sustainable Solutions for the FutureH. E. Mr. Ove UllerupFormer Chair of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council of the BalticSea States, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark,2019-2020 Danish Presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea StatesIntervention at the Digital 2020 annual Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on24 August 2020Agenda item: Vision 2030: Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, Safe and Prosperous Development –Common Effective and Sustainable Solutions for the Future(Ambassador Ove Ullerup, 2019-2020 Danish Presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States)INTRODUCTIONIt is a great pleasure for me to share with you the main results of the Danish Presidency and somereflections for the future.When my predecessor updated your Steering Committee on 2 March, she was quite upbeat in herassessment of what could be achieved. I am happy to confirm that this assessment was well-found-ed.THE MINISTERIALOn 19 May, the reform process was successfully concluded, when the Foreign Ministers of all 11Member States and a high-level representative of the EU met in a video conference. This extraor-dinary level of participation was a strong sign of the political support for the reform.The ministers adopted revised Terms of Reference for the CBSS and for the CBSS Secretariat, withthese key objectives:· more focus and flexibility in the way the CBSS works;· improved cooperation with other regional cooperation for a;· better use of the unique strengths of the CBSS in the design and implementation of activ-ities.In addition, ministers discussed broad issues of relevance to the entire region, such as theCOVID-19 outbreak, youth engagement, environment and climate-related challenges, andcross-border organized crime. Ministers used the CBSS meeting as a platform for a truly regionaldialogue. A dialogue also relevant for cooperation in other regional cooperation formats. At theend of the discussion they adopted the BORNHOM DECLARATION.In our view, this dialogue at the Ministerial was successful, not only because the participation wasso strong, but also because the meeting showed that the CBSS platform can really be used for abroader dialogue on issues facing our region and not just limited to the activities of the organi-zation itself. The recent Reflection Paper on the Vilnius Declaration also notes this fruitful andopen exchange.As we now move forward, it will be important to maintain this distinction between a broaderregional dialogue on common challenges of the region and the specific tasks that we assign to theCBSS.The regional challenges are many and COVID-19 has only provided one more. At the same time,the CBSS has limited financial and personnel resources and ministers have agreed to focus itsactivities on the areas where the organization is uniquely suited to add value for the region andits members. The new guiding documents for CBSS work on Trafficking in Human Beings andProtecting Children at Risk adopted during our Presidency reflect this approach.REGIONAL COHERENCEDuring our Presidency, we adopted orientations for the CBSS role and engagement within the EUStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Northern Dimension.Regional coherence requires political leadership. Member States have a great responsibility foravoiding overlaps and duplication. If we want better regional coherence, we have to create ade-quate incentives in the governance systems of the regional organizations.When a new need arises (COVID-19 provides a good example!), regional organizations typicallysee an opportunity to gain increased visibility and funding and therefore propose new initiatives.Often, this happens without much consideration of regional coherence. This leads to parallel andoften competing initiatives. It spreads the activities of each organization, to the detriment of focusand quality. Moreover, it reduce impact and value for money, blurring the roles and mandates.While our regional organizations need to become more able to react rapidly to new challenges,there is a need to ensure more systemic coherence. Otherwise, increased flexibility could meaneven more overlaps and duplication.What can be done? Let me offer you two concrete suggestions:We can work to insert wording in the governing documents of the secretariats of the other re-gional organizations similar to what has been added the new Terms of Reference of the CBSS Sec-retariat (“to promote enhanced dialogue, cooperation and alignment with other regional actors througha regular structured dialogue in the context of existing cooperation formats in the region”). In addition,we could ask the Heads of all the secretariats to regularly report to their governing bodies on suchcoordination efforts.We may also require “Regional coherence checks”. A Secretariat proposal to address a new chal-lenge would have to outline how it fits with the role and mandate of other regional organizations.This would enable Member States to ensure that we avoid overlaps and make decisions that furtherregional coherence.NEW DIRECTOR GENERALI would also like to mention that we are very pleased that a new Director General for the CBSSSecretariat has been appointed, a Director General with a reformed and updated job description.And, very importantly, we were able during our Presidency to recruit the new DG through anopen and transparent process.We hope this open approach will promote trust and help Ambassador Grzegorz Poznanski buildthe strong relations with all Member States that will be crucial, in order for him and the Secretariatto be able to use its potential in ensuring that we can all harvest the fruits of the reform.CBSS TROIKAIn conclusion, let me inform you that we have taken the initiative to reinforce cooperation withinthe CBSS Troika. We do this to seek continuity in our work and effective follow-up of theCBSS reforms. We are happy to see the solid engagement of both Lithuania and Norway in thiseffort.Thank you for your attention