Nahkanen at 30 BSPC

30TH BSPC: FOURTH SESSIONAddresses and reportsSpeaker: Mr Jari Nahkanen, President of the Baltic Sea Commission of theConference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR BSC)Dear President of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Mr Pyri Niemi,Dear Members of BSPC,Dear Secretary General,On behalf of the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission, let me thank you for your kind invitationto attend this important event. I have appreciated very much the contributions andinspiring exchanges we heard today. It illustrates the significant contribution yourorganization has made, for the development of the Baltic Sea Region, over the year.Warm congratulations for your lang-standing and successful parliamentariancooperation for 30 years! I wish you all the best for the years ahead.In a couple of days, the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission will also celebrate its 25 yearsof regional cooperation. Since 1996, we have worked to facilitate cooperation acrossregions and worked to ensure stronger Baltic Sea Region perspective in EU policies.Today, Regions from the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission are still working together, in atrustful and solidarity sprit, to promote a prosperous Baltic Sea Region.Importance of cooperation between BSPC and CPMR BSCClose political dialogue between local, regional and national actors is crucial to achievethis common goal. The numerous challenges the Baltic Sea Region is going through,require indeed tight cooperation and open dialogue between all levels of governance.That is why, I am delighted to be among you today. Few weeks ago, our ExecutiveCommittee was also very pleased to exchange with Mr BSPC President, Mr PyryNiemi, to discuss Baltic Sea issues, and further cooperation.Overview of key policy work of the CPMR BSC over the yearThis year, the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission Members has focused on contributing toEU Green Deal Agenda, by fostering local solutions in different sectors. Let me giveyou a glimpse of concrete examples of our policy work, which we believe, requiresstrong multilevel cooperation.Concrete examples of policy workFirstly, promoting “Sustainable Blue Economy” in the Baltic Sea Region. The BalticSea is under lot of pressure, and Sustainable Blue Economy would help to improve thestatus, from promoting sustainable fishing, and ports as hubs for clean energy. OurMember Regions, which are mostly coastal regions, have taken an active role in thedevelopment of a new EU Sustainable Blue Economy, engaging dialogue with both theEuropean Parliament and the European Commission.Secondly, promoting “Connectivity” in the Baltic Sea Region. It is important to developgood transport infrastructure, and ensure territorial accessibility for all regions,including the most peripheral. Our Member Regions are therefore following closely therevision of the TEN-T regulation by the European Union, which is an opportunity toconnect further the Baltic Sea Region.Thirdly, facilitating cross-border cooperation. The border closures, due to thepandemic, has been hard for people living in border regions, with negative sideseffects. It is important to preserve strong cross-border cooperation even in this troubletime. The new Interreg programmes, that are under preparation, should focus on“people to people projects”, since trust has been harmed these past months.Fourthly, promoting sustainable and healthy Baltic Sea Region. The fight againstclimate change is a top priority. [The multiple natural disasters, that unfortunately allparts of Europe suffered over the Summer, from terrible water flows in Germany orrecently in Sweden, to forest fires in Greece, are again reminding us of emergency totake ambitious and quick actions]. Our Energy and Climate Working Group has beenworking on sharing local solutions to promote sustainability. We hope for furthersynergies with the BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity, toexchange more knowledge and develop joint solutions.A key policy work, that require also ambitious and close cooperation between theRegions and the Member States, is the Arctic, which is under deep pressure. Whathappens in the Arctic doesn’t stay there, and affect all parts of the Baltic Sea Region,the EU and the world. The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission, had followed closely thedevelopment of a new EU Arctic Policy, expected to be finished by the end of this year.To finish, contributing to a sustainable recovery for the Baltic Sea Region is key priority.NextGenerationEU, (the recovery plan for Europe) is a major opportunity for the BalticSea Region, and the EU as a whole to recover from the current crisis and create theconditions for sustainable, inclusive competitiveness.As national governments submitted few months ago their Recovery ResiliencePlans, we called them to act together with Regional Authorities to prepare andimplement the Plans and to include in the plans a cross border dimension to enable abalanced territorial development. The current pandemic crisis has taught us oneimportant lesson: No one is big enough to succeed on their own. Cooperation andshared values are the pillars of our common future.ConclusionComing to the end, I would say that Member Regions from the CPMR Baltic SeaCommission are looking forward to deepen cooperation with the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference.Together, and other stakeholders present today, we can achieve great things for theBaltic Sea Region and its citizens, ensuring no territory is left behind!Thank you for your attention.