Linde at 30 BSPC

30TH BSPC: OPENINGSpeaker: Ms Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden- reported speech -Ms Linde thanked the president and her audience for the opportunity to address themon the very day the BSPC was also celebrating thirty years of fruitful parliamentarycooperation. The main theme of the Swedish presidency of the BSPC – SustainableDemocracy – was very timely. Democratic backsliding, challenges to human rights andthe undermining of the rule of law were trends they had witnessed for several years. Ittook time – sometimes generations – to build up stable and independent democraticinstitutions but they could be dismantled very quickly. Over the past year, they hadwitnessed how the respect for human rights had been seriously challenged, both intheir neighbourhood and elsewhere. Members of parliament had an important role topreserve and protect democracy and human rights. The COVID-19 pandemic had hada clear and negative effect on the respect for human rights, democracy and the rule oflaw. Restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus had to be fully in line withinternational law. It was necessary to follow this closely. It was also necessary to payparticular attention to the gender perspective. Women and girls had been much moreexposed during the pandemic than men. The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceand the Council of the Baltic Sea States were important partners in highlighting andtackling these challenges. Sweden was a strong voice and actor for the promotion andprotection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law globally. These were alsokey to Sweden’s OSCE chairpersonship and a reminder that all the CBSS membershad made a commitment to respect these values and principles. It was the Swedishside’s firm belief that democracy was the best foundation for a sustainable society.Yet democracy was in decline across the world. That was a deeply worrying trend,Minister Linde underlined. At the same time, aspirations for democracy were still strongin many parts of the world. It was necessary to ensure that those fighting for democracywere supported and defended. Since 2019, Sweden had pursued a full foreign policyinitiative called The Drive for Democracy, with the aim to provide a counternarrative tothe global trend of democratic backsliding and the shrinking space for civil society. Formost people, the case for democracy was clear: It provided political accountability andtherefore a mechanism for correcting mistakes and doing better. Democracy alsoensured transparency and access to information and enabled everyone to make theirvoice heard and get involved in building their common future. Through diplomaticactivity and the series of events, the Swedish Drive for Democracy aimed to promoteand strengthen respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Other aspectsalso supporting sustainable democracy were also included, not least equality,participation, sustainable development, inclusive growth, governance and security.Democratic societies depended on the respect for freedom of opinion and freedom ofexpression. These were fundamental conditions enabling several other freedoms andrights and thus served as the foundation of a functioning democracy. However, MsLinde cautioned that attacks and restrictions on free and independent media and civilsociety were often used as tools to undermine democracy, human rights and the ruleof law. This was also true for trade unions, demanding human rights in the world ofwork. There was therefore a great need to draw attention to and strengthen freedomof expression in a wider sense – both to protect freedom of expression as such butalso to support the ones acting for human rights. The threats and challenges theseactors face worldwide had to be addressed, she underlined. The pandemic had shownhow vulnerable and interlinked societies were, making cross-border cooperation evenmore necessary. Climate change was another challenge in the region for the citizensand their safety, best met in cooperation with neighbours. Much of the strength of theCouncil of the Baltic Sea States lay in its ability to function in a concrete and practicalmanner, even in times of difficult international relations and when everybody had beenstrongly affected by the pandemic. This cooperation had a proven track record ofsuccessful results of tackling cross-border challenges, such as climate change, youthunemployment, social and gender inequalities and the protection of children at risk.Minister Linde saw four areas where there was a particular need and indeed anopportunity to reinforce this cooperation: First, people-to-people contacts incooperation, particularly between young people. This bound people together andserved as a platform for building long-term relationships. Such contacts made livesricher and increased understanding which made the Baltic Sea region more secure.The outcome of the Baltic Sea Youth Forum on 28 August and the Baltic Sea YouthPlatform were valuable contributions to this end. The minister had heard that the youthforum on Saturday had been very good, with good dialogue. Cross-border cooperationbetween schools on different levels should also be encouraged. Second, the fightagainst international organised crime, closer ties between the Baltic Sea taskforce onorganised crime – where Ms Linde herself had been the personal representative of theprime minister when she had been Vice Minister of Home Affairs – and the CBSSshould increase their ability to fight organised crime, including trafficking human beingsfor sexual and labour exploitation. Third, cross-border cooperation in civil protection.Their efforts in this area had to be flexible and wide-ranging, covering everything fromdealing with the effects of the pandemic to wildfires. It was necessary to strengthencooperation and networks to ensure that adequate resources were available in theregion. Fourth, the environment. The Baltic Sea was heavily polluted, the updatedBaltic Sea Action Plan was a promising step in dealing with this common challenge,but more concrete action was needed to achieve sustainable results. As part of theirefforts, it was also required to support sustainable shipping and ports.To conclude, Minister Linde said she was convinced that the recently agreed directionof CBSS activities would prove valuable and help the organisation to deliver concreteresults to the benefit of the member states and people of the Baltic Sea region. Shewas looking forward to continuing their robust support and cooperation with Norway.