Implementation of the 29th BSPC Resolution

Statements of the governmentsin the Baltic Sea Region to the29th BSPC Resolution.Status: May 20211. Åland 12. Denmark 63. Estonia 164. German Bundestag 245. Finland 396. Hamburg 507. Latvia 618. Lithuania 789. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 8710. Norway 11011. Poland 12012. Russia 13413. Schleswig-Holstein 15114. Sweden 16103YEARSBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBSPCÅland Page 1ÅlandÅland Page 2PB 1060, AX-22111 Mariehamn | +358 18 25 000 | registrator@regeringen.axTjänstebrev bör ställas till Ålands landskapsregering, inte till enskild tjänsteman.www.regeringen.ax1 (4) Dokumentnamn BrevnrLETTER 123 Rk1aÄrendenr DatumÅLR 2020/9422 2.3.2021HänvisningKontaktpersonMarcus ÅkerblomÄrendeUnofficial translation: The Government of Åland 's view regarding the BSPCResolution of 20 20 and information of measures taken and actions plannedIn August 20 20 at the annual Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Lithuania theBSPC resolution was adopted. The purpose of the resolution is that governments aroundthe Baltic Sea region pay attention to different areas described below. November 30th,2020 the parliament of Åland forwarded the resolution to its government for furtheractions.The resolution contains 33 priority appeals/points sent to the governments in the BalticSea Region. The points are assigned in following four headings:1. cooperation i n the region in the light of the covid -19 pandemic and itsconsequences2. protection of the environment, lakes and seas for future generations3. the development of digitalisation4. migration and integrationThe Government of Åland also notice that the appeals/p oints are being tangent to eachother. In this letter the Government of Åland describe measures taken and actionsplanned for these objectives.Point 12 - 14The Government of Åland cooperates both nationally, internationally and at Baltic Sealevel, in several different projects linked to the sea and coastal environments as well asthe implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the MarineStrategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) to reduce eutrophication and improve thestate of aqua tic environments.The Government of Åland handle statutory monitoring of aquatic environments and theirstatus and implements the Åland Seamap cooperation project to gain greater knowledgeabout coastal waters, their ecosystems and ecosystem services. Major projects such asmaritime spatial planning, wind turbines or other major projects that may affectÅland Page 32 (4)neighbouring countries are anchored throug h consultations, in accordance with the EspooConvention and the HELCOM Convention .The Government of Åland supports effort linked to the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) andthe Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) to reduce discharges of nutrients into the Baltic Seaand cooperates with other Baltic Sea countries. BSAP , the UN's sustainability aspects andpreventing climate effects , are important to the governmen t when work ing with actionprograms according to the Water Framework Directive and the marine strategy. TheGovernment of Åland also intends to work together to implement the E uropean G reenDeal and biodiversity strategy to conserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity. Toprevent climate change, more nature -based solutions are needed, such as wetlands an dresilient seas.Point 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 20The Government of Åland is actively participating in developing the international EU part -financed co -operation program Interreg Central Baltic Program 2021 - 2027, which will beimplemented by Åland togethe r with the coastal regions in Sweden, Finland, Estonia andLatvia. The focus is on increasing the growth and competitiveness of small and medium -sized enterprises, promoting circular solutions, improving the marine environment,reducing CO2 emissions in tr affic, strengthening employment opportunities andimproving public services to citizens.The Government of Åland supports the companies that have been hit hard by theconsequences of the covid -19 pandemic with liquidity support and special crisis measuresfor accommodation activities. As a result of the rapidly rising unemployment in the springof 2020, when the rel ative unemployment rate r aised to over 13% and to over 20% forpeople under the age of 25, the Government of Åland has introduced measures thatcould quickly help affected people and companies. A temporary increase of labour marketsupport and measures for individual entrepreneurs were introduced, as well as increasedemployment support for companies that employ the unemployed. However, the borderrestrictions of the various countries have significantly hampered work commuting, tradeand other cross- border exchanges.Point 19 – 32"The Government of Åland ́s updated Program on the Promotion of Integration 2020 -2023" emphasizes that discrimination and equal treatment are linked to the equal value ofall human beings and the UN's fundamental conventions on h uman rights. Human rightsshow a clear responsibility for a large part of public activities and should be used tocounteract and prevent inequalities in society continuously and systematically. The goalfor the Government of Åland is that human rights will be fulfilled cross -sectorally bypublic Åland.Åland Page 43 (4)The program can be found here:https://www.regeringen.ax/sites/www.rege ringen.ax/files/attachments/guidedocument/lr -program -integration -2020- 2023.pdfThe action plan also refers to:- EU Action Plan against Racism 2020 – 2025- EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020 – 2024- European Commission 2016, Action Plan for the Integration of Third -CountryNationalsAs measures in the program, it is pointed out that a non -discrimination paragraph iswritten into the new Provincial Law on Childcare and Compulsory school (ÅFS 2020/32)and that the steering documents for the public school are clarified. In conjunction withthe new curriculum being updated in 2021, the references to human rights and theConvention on the Rights of the Child will be expanded both in the general part and ascentral content in several subjects.Freedom of movement within Europe requires systems that can take advantage ofknowledge and experien ce from other countries. Common systems also facilitatemigration from non -European countries in areas such as education, labour, access tobasic services, housing and health care, and social inclusion. Åland works according to the"The Government of Åland's Program on Promotion of the Integration ", national guidelinesand guidelines from the EU, including the “Integration Action Plan of Third -CountryNationa ls”. People that arrive to Åland as quota refugees , refugees or residing hereduring their asylum application, are subject to national legislation regarding integration.Other immigrants are subject to local legislation.During the most recent program per iod for the EU AMIF Fund (2014 - 2020) , theGovernment of Åland has implemented a change in the law so that actors in Åland couldalso apply for funding on the same terms as other actors in Finland. The issues arehandled by the Ministry of the Interior an d nowadays its possible for Åland actors,municipalities, administrative authorities, associations and others to apply for variousintegration -promoting projects and measures that are linked to the national action plan.After the change in the law, the Government of Åland became the principal for a largecollaborative project between the Government of Åland , Åland’s Empoyment Office (AMS) ,Åland's Health Care (ÅHS) , seven of Åland's municipalities, Adult Education Centre (Medis)which arranges integration education , Educational Associations on Åland (ABF) and theRed Cross district of Åland . The name of the project is "A safe h arbour - Gathering ofstrength for municipalities, administrative authorities and the third sector to developcooperation in refugee reception and integration in Åland" www.integration.ax .Åland Page 54 (4)The Government of Åland also financial ly support projects that promote integration. Thepurpose is to particularly support activities that promote sustainable integration and thatin a complementary way contribute to fulfilling the objectives in the G overnment ofÅland’s integration policy document . A large part of the integration -promoting wor k is apart of regular activities, both within municipalities and associations. Associations canreceive operating grants or project grants from the Government of Åland for this subject,but additional support can also be applied for , when associations wis h to make specialintegration efforts that take place in addition to the association's regular activities, inproject form or as experimental activities, for a shorter period. The funds can, for example,be used for initiatives aimed to children and young people for support ing their families,but also for designing, developing and testing various methods. Focus, but notexclusively, is on trying to reach target groups who are outside social protection systemsor who are otherwise difficult to reach (such as , for example, immigrants who do not workor study, asylum seekers, EU migrants and irregular migrants).A selection of associations that have been granted funds for integration promotionmeasures:- Save the children - The preschool's integration project- Åland's Nature and Environment - Meeting point Forest- Jomala Athletic Association - Integration through football- Emmaus – Pool of Jobs- ABF - Inclusion through study circlesThe Government of Åland points out that the Åland actors in their work to promoteparticipation, create good relations and prevent both xenophobia and discrimination,must actively consider human rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child , and theIstanbul Convention in their activities both internally and externally. It is also important topromote equal treatment by maintaining knowledge and skills on issues related tointegration, diversity, gender and equality, intersectionality, participation , and non -discrimination a mong staff.Deputy Head of Harry Janssonthe Åland GovernmentAdministrator Marcus ÅkerblomDenmark Page 6DenmarkDenmark Page 7Comments from the Danish government concerning the conferenceresolution adopted by the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe Danish government welcomes the resolution adopted by the 29 th Baltic Sea Par-liamentary Conference (BSPC) and its recommendations. Based on contributions fromthe relevant authorities, the Danish government has the following comments to theresolution:Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic and itsConsequencesOn 1 July 2020, Denmark handed over the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic SeaStates (CBSS) to Lithuania.During the Lithuanian Presidency, the main priority of Denmark has been to ensurethat the reform of the organization concluded at the Bornholm Mi nisterial meeting inMay 2020 is implemented and followed- up effectively in practice.Denmark has therefore engaged proactively in the development of an Action Plan,intended to steer operational cooperation within the CBSS framework during the pe-riod 2021- 2025. The Plan is an important tool for ensuring effective implementationof the reform, including strengthened focus and improved cooperation and increasedsynergies between the CBSS and other key cooperation formats in the region, notablythe Northern Dimension, the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and HELCOM.Denmark has also actively contributed to the formulation of the new vision documentfor the region’s development until 2030, the so -called Vilnius II Declaration, whichwas adopte d by CBSS Foreign Ministers on 1 June 2021. The document reflects keyfundamental values and central policy objectives, notably as regards the green and dig-ital transitions.In order to promote the role of the CBSS as a platform for political dialogue in theregion, Denmark proposed a number of topics regarding current challenges of com-mon interest to CBSS members, which were supported by other Council members andsubsequently discussed at the 1 June Ministerial meeting. These topics included thegreen tr ansition, how to promote increased youth engagement, the link between acommon regional identity and key values, and the impact of the COVID -19 pandemicon organized cross -border crime in the region.Transnational collaboration on pandemic preparedness an d response is vital. The ini-tiative to build a European Health Union is a significant transnational effort to improvepreparedness and response capacity at European level. A future agency for HealthEmergency Preparedness and Response, HERA, will also cont ribute to a safer andmore self- sufficient EU and Baltic Sea Region. Furthermore , Denmark supports ef-forts to strengthen the leading role of WHO in global health.Denmark Page 82Best practices, Digital HealthDuring covid- 19, there has been an extended use of already developed digital solutionsand a number of digital solutions has been developed due to the COVID- 19 pandemicacross the Danish health system. Digital solutions and the Danish common digital in-frastructure have played a key role in the Danish authorities’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the establishment of effective and high capacity programs forcontact tracing, testing and vaccination.A number of hospitals, general practitioners, psychologists etc. has made the changefrom physical consultations to video consultations. In 2020, 479.649 consultationshave been held on the video infrastructure VDX. Furthermore, all citizens in Denmarkcan now be offered video consultations with their general practitioner via the app“MinLæge” (MyDoctor).Denmark has since 2016 had an online service (sundhed.dk) where citizens can see andprove their vaccinations . Specifically for COVID- 19, Denmark has issued a digi-tal certificate service, where Danish citizens and persons with a Danish resi-dence permit can view and print documentation of COVID- 19 test results as wellas vaccinations status using sundhed.dk. Citizens can also view vaccination and testresults in the existing public health service app, “MinSundhed” (MyHealth). The Dan-ish government has furthermore developed a dedicated digital corona passport in theform an app, which displays certificates for test results, vaccination status, and recov-ery. Both the documentation on Sundhed.dk and MinSundhed as well as the dedicatedcorona passport will be in compliance with the EU regulation on digital COVID cer-tificates when it enters into force.Best practices, measures to preserve employmentDuring the pandemic, the Danish government has been working closely with the socialpartners in order to find solutions to the economic hardships endured because of thecrisis. Below is an in- depth desc ription of initiatives particularly instrumental in pre-serving employment as well as social protection coverage.An ongoing exchange of information on expected reforms and initiatives during thepandemic has taken place under the auspices of the Employment Sector of the NordicCouncil of Ministers. This has happened in the form of informal exchange duringmeetings between Nordic ministries with a focus on recent developments, as well asthrough the work on solving the issues identified by the Nordic Counci l on BorderBarriers (Grænsehindringsrådet). Finally, a concrete project financed by the Employ-ment sector of the Nordic Council of Ministers has contributed to the disseminationand comparison of best practices in dealing with the effects of the crisis on Nordiclabour markets.Temporary salary compensationCompanies faced with layoffs of a minimum of 30 per cent of its employees or morethan 50 employees due to COVID- 19 will be entitled to a compensation of 75 per centof its employees’ salaries (max 30,000 DKK). For workers paid by the hour, the com-pany may receive compensation of up to 90 per cent (max 30,000 DKK). The schemeended as a general scheme on August 29, 2020, but was prolonged as a limited schemeDenmark Page 93for companies prohibited from conducting business a result of COVID -19 restrictions.The general scheme has since been re -instated from December 9 and until the re-strictions are lifted.Creation of a temporary work-distribution arrangement - Improved unemployment benefits duringperiods with reduced working hoursThe Danish government and the social partners agreed on a new temporary work -sharing arrangement allowing private sector employers to reduce the working hours ofemployees on short notice, while granting employees improved access to unemploy-ment benefits.The scheme allowed for the distribution of work between employees, rather than lay-ing off workers. Employees thereby stayed connected to the labour market while em-ployers saved costs. During the period in which the worker is sent home, he/she willreceive wage compensation and have the possibility to complete a continuing educa-tion programme. The scheme has been applicable from September 2020 and will endin June 2021.Employees who are not members of an unemployment insurance fund are able to gainaccess to unemployment benefits without fulfilling the regular membership require-ment for benefit entitlement (one year of membership). There is a conditional up -frontpayment, corresponding to two months of membership for each month on the work -sharing arrange ment.Several pools for reskilling/upgrading skillsThe Danish government has made substantial investments in reskilling and up- skillingmeasures meant to benefit both unemployed and employed people.With a total investment of 1.7 billion DKK since June 2020, new possibilities for vo-cational education, short employment -oriented courses, and pools targeted certain in-dustries have been introduced in order to ensure a smooth re -entry to the labour mar-ket, while securing a general upgrading of skills for the uneducated part of the labour-market.A temporary right to undergo vocational education has been introduced, in which theperson in education receives 110 % of the usual unemployment benefit . Eligible per-sons must be older than 30, and either unskilled or skilled with an obsolete education.The pool targets industries where future employment are deemed promising. This hasmade it easier for persons without an education to make use of the COVID -19 crisisas a time to upgrade skills by receiving training and education in a field with a lastingdemand for employment.An example of a pool targeting a specific industry is a fund of 20 million DKK thathas been allocated for the renewal of certificates for pilots and air traffic controllerswho have been une mployed since 11 March 2020 because of COVID- 19. The aim ofthe fund is to ensure that pilots are able to maintain their competences through thecrisis.Denmark Page 104Prolonged access to unemployment benefits.Benefits received throughout the period of 1 March to 31 August 2020 and 1 Januaryto 30 June 2021 do not count as part of the maximum period of two years unemploy-ment benefits. Individuals who would otherwise have exhausted a right to benefitsduring the period 1 November 2020 to 30 April 2022 will receive an addi tional twomonths benefits. Consequently, no one will exhaust their right to benefits from 1March 2020 to 30 June 2021.Temporary exemption from membership requirement for self-employed and temporary suspension ofbusinessSelf-employed persons were temporarily granted the right to access unemploymentbenefits without fulfilling the membership requirement for benefit entitlement (onecontinuous year of membership) between 9 July to 8 August 2020. There was a condi-tional up- front payment corresponding to the price of one year’s membership.Additionally, self- employed persons whose businesses were affected by the lockdownswere allowed to temporarily suspend their business while receiving benefits during theperiod 9 July to 8 September 2020.A separate scheme covering the period of 14 September to 31 October 2020 was alsoestablished, allowing certain self -employed persons and non- standard workers to gainunemployment benefits without fulfilling the membership requirement. There was alsoa conditional upfront payment corresponding to the price of one year’s membershipunder this scheme.A pool of 120 million DKK for initiatives in case of large-scale dismissals.120 million DKK were allocated in 2020 to ensure fast and targe ted initiatives to re-spond to large -scale dismissals caused by COVID- 19. This will fund initiatives such asjob search courses and upskilling. The pool was expanded from 6 million DKK to 120million DKK in 2020 in order to accommodate the increased number of people beingdismissed because of COVID- 19.Sickness benefit reimbursementEmployers with employees affected by COVID- 19 (infected or quarantined) will re-ceive sickness benefit reimbursement for wages and sickness benefits as early as thefirst day of absence, rather than after 30 days, as under normal circumstances. Self-employed affected by the COVID- 19 (infected or quarantined) will receive sicknessbenefit as early as the first day of absence rather than after two weeks, as under normalcircumstances.Increased access to sickness benefitsRecipients of sickness benefits having expired their right to the benefit in the periodfrom 9 March 2020 to 30 June 2021 will continue to receive the benefits in threemonths.Economic support for parents of children affected by COVID-19Parents of children who are either sent home from school etc. due to COVID- 19 orinfected with COVID- 19 can stay at home with the children and receive maternitybenefits. The initiative runs from 1 October 2020 to 30 June 2021.Denmark Page 115Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans for Future Genera-tionsProtecting marine biodiversity is a key priority for Denmark, and the work under theHelsinki convention is important to reach common goals for improvements of theBaltic Sea environment. Denmark has taken initiative to designate new protected ma-rine areas, for the first time including strictly protected are as in the Danish part of theNorth Sea and the Baltic Sea, as an implementation of the EU marine strategy frame-work directive , as well as new marine special protection areas under the EU bird di-rective to protect sea birds. Management is planned to ensure conservation of biotopesand species within the sites. Denmark is also in the process of developing new Natura2000 management plans in 2021 for all Natura 2000 sites, including marine Natura2000 sites also designated as HELCOM MPAs. Finally, restoration of two stone reefsare planned within the HELCOM area.Denmark remains committed to reducing the input of nutrients to the Baltic Sea, byaddressing all relevant sources of nutrient input. Denmark plans to adopt 3rd genera-tion River Basin Management Plans in 2021, setting ambitious target for nutrient inputreduction. The proposed revision of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, set to be adopted inOctober 2021, contains measures targeting agricultural run- off, point sources incl.wastewater treatment plants, atmospheric emissions and nutrient recycling. Denmarkhas implemented HELCOM’s Maximum Allowable Inputs (MAI) on nutrients in ournational marine strategy as environmental targets on eutrophication. Denmark has alsoadopted a prohibition against fertilizing in areas (habitat types) protected by the NatureProtection Act § 3. Furthermore, Denmark has implemented the decision of IMO toestablish the Baltic Sea area as an emission control area (NECA), resulting in increaseddemands for NOx emission reductions from shipping.Denmark has implemented the Espoo Convention in the Danish Environmental As-sessment Act (EAA), which covers plans, programs as well as projects. The EAA alsotransposes the EU Directives EIA and SEA and their provisions concerning the as-sessment of transboundary impacts on the environment.The EAA sets the procedural guidelines for conducting consultations and assessingtransboundary impacts on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agencyhas been appointed Point of Contact in a ccordance with the Espoo Convention andthe SEA Protocol to the Convention. The Department of the Ministry of Environmentis appointed Focal Point for Administrative Matters in accordance with the EspooConvention and the SEA Protocol to the Convention.Denmark fully supports the process for achieving good environmental conditions inthe Baltic Sea. Danish participation in HELCOM is led by the Ministry of Environ-ment in good cooperation with the Ministry of Defence. Denmark welcomes the workon an updated and ambitious Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP). Denmark is participatingactively in the negotiations of the update of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and is lookingforward to participate in the Ministerial Meeting in October 2021. The reduction ofnutrient inputs is one of the cornerstones of the HELCOM work and for Denmark itDenmark Page 126is important that all contracting parties commit to achieve the goals and targets of theHELCOM nutrient reduction scheme.Denmark welcomes the regional work on developing best environmental practice forcomprehensive risk assessment of dumped munition and implementation of an envi-ronmental sound and safe management in HELCOM.Denmark fully supports all relevant efforts to monitor and to treat the problem ofdumped munitions, wrecks and ghost nets in the Baltic Sea. Such efforts should bedeveloped and executed on the basis of complete risk assessments and without detri-ment to national security.Specifically regarding ghost nets , Denmark is at present conducting a large scientificproject, which will examine the frequency of ghost nets in Danish waters and test dif-ferent methods for their removal. Furthermore, Denmark is focusing on both preven-tion and collection of ghost nets in Danish waters. In July and August 2021 there willbe conducted a project in the Limfjord, where scientists together with local fishermenwill locate and collect ghost nets. With the agreement on the Danish Marine, Fisheriesand Aquaculture Program (EHFAF) for 2021- 2023, the effort will be strengthenedsignificantly.Development of DigitalisationThe Danish government has started the work on a new digitalization strategy , whichis expected to be published at the end of 2021. The strategy includes both private andpublic sector, and the key question is how to secure the competencies to solve tomor-row's challenges.Schools at all levels are well equipped with digital devices and high speed broadbandin Denmark. Particular in primary (90 per cent) and lower secondary (90 per cent )education, a much higher share of schools is well equipped than the EU averages of35 per cent and 52 per cent . Danish schools are much more frequently linked to theinternet through connections above 100 mps. At ISCED 2 and 3, over 90 per cent ofstudents use digital devices (computer, notebook) for learning at least once a week ,compared to the EU averages of 52 and 59 per cent . Around 80- 90 per cent use theirown laptop in school, compared to 12 and 15 per cent at EU level (European Com-mission, 2019d). In 2011, Denmark’s government launc hed a 500 million DKK (EUR67 million) initiative for ICT in compulsory education jointly with municipalities. In-vestment continued throughout 2016 and 2017 and included compulsory learning plat-forms.Denmark has followed a strategic approach to developin g digital infrastructure, onlineresources and the digital skills of students and teachers. In 2011, ICT was introducedinto compulsory education, and investments of 45 million DKK (EUR 6 million) todevelop digital resources, with additional investments in 2015 and 2016, a digitalteacher network and a public digitalisation strategy in 2016. The latest action plan fordigitalisation in compulsory education was launched in 2018 and has initiated a trialprogram introducing a new subject called technology comprehension ( teknologiforstaelse)Denmark Page 137that is currently being tested both as an independent and as a separate subject. Theprogram started in 2019 and is finishing this year. An evaluation of the program willbe published in autumn 2021.Denmark also has a long tradition for digital health and a strong foundation on whichto continue digitizing the Danish health system. This is illustrated by the Digital HealthStrategy 2018-2022 ‘A Coherent and Trustworthy Health Network for All’. The over-all aim of the strategy is to promote coherence across sectors with informationtimely available to the citizen and at the point of care, enabling a coherent and trust-worthy health network that is both inherently digital and inherently personal.Overall coordination within the field of digital health takes place in the National Boardof eHealth that has representatives from the ministry, the regions and the municipali-ties. Here is a dedicated and strategic focus on promoting eHealth for the benefit ofthe patients and the health professionals through development, implementation andfollow -up on projects.In February 2021, the Danish government set up a partnership for digitization that willresult in specific recommendations for how Denmark can benefit from the digital pos-sibilities across society including in the health sector.The Danish National Strategy for Cyber and Information Security for the period 2018 -2021 is under implementation. The overall aim is to familiarize and make citizens,businesses and authorities able to manage digital risks, whereby Denmark can continueto use digital solutions to support the development of society.Migration and IntegrationIn relation to migration, Denmark continues to support harmonization of practicesconcerning returns, processing of asylum applications and reception standards in anumber of fora. Since the EU Commission presented the Pact on Migration and Asy-lum in September 2020, Denmark has taken active part in reaching agreements on thelegal acts proposed as part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The regulations in-tend to strengthen EU’s policy framework on asylum and return in a comprehensivemanner. Denmark also works closely with the Nordic countries with regard to sharingpolicy and practices related to asylum and return.Denmark continues to support intergovernmental information exchange on a widerange of integration issues with the other countries bordering the Baltic Sea, thoughchannels such as t he EU, UN, IGC, CBSS and Nordic Cooperation, etc.The integration effort in Denmark is still monitored by ”the Integration Barometer”,where the annual progress on integration as well as a municipal level is monitored. Theintegration Barometer is available on https://integrationsbarometer.dk/ (only availa-ble in Danish).The Danish integration effort is already based on a “one stop” system where most ofthe necessary services, required for newly arrived refugees and other legal foreigners,Denmark Page 148are administered by the municipality to which the refugee has been referred or wherethe legal foreigner is residing after being granted a residence permit. The municipalityhas the responsibility for providing all nec essary services such as housing and socialbenefits, as well as the self- support and return program offered through the IntegrationAct, Danish language training and job training.The main aim of the program under the Integration Act is to ensure that ne wly arrivedforeigners have the opportunity to utilize their abilities and resources in order to be-come self- sufficient and actively participate in and contribute to Danish society on anequal footing with other citizens. To ensure this, the program primarily focuses onsecuring better integration into the labour market by a combination of supporting op-portunities for newcomers to enter into the labour market combined with financialincentives directed at local authorities, private companies, language cours e providersand the individual refugee in order to secure successful integration.One key measure that entered into force on July 1, 2016, is the introduction of a newand more efficient job and training program (Integrationsgrunduddannelse (IGU)) bywhich newly arrived refugees and family reunited to refugees are gradually - over thecourse of two years – receiving on the job training (regular employment) and 20 weeksof relevant upgrading of skills. Initially the individual IGU- participant may not fullypossess the skills and productivity required to qualify for a job on regular Danish wagelevels and working conditions. The IGU therefore includes a so- called apprentice payand ensures that job training and intensive skills training are combined within the two-year period. On February 25, 2019, the (former) Government and the social partnersagreed to e xtend the scheme for a further three years until the end of June 2022.Denmark recognizes the importance of facilitating contact between newcomers andthe local community in order to ensure that newcomers are introduced to the valuesand norms of the Danish society thereby providing the best possible starting point forsuccessful integration.For example in 2016, the Danish Red Cross- Danish Refugee Council launched the“buddy programme” (Friends show the way) which aims to ensure that all newly ar-rived refugees with a residence permit are offered a so- called buddy (a volunteer) intheir host municipality upon arrival. The project’s overall objective is t o promote indi-vidual integration and social cohesion at the local level, with both the refugees andhost societies gaining greatly from the relationship. Further information about thisprogram can be found on the Red Cross website on https://redcross.eu/pro-jects/friends- show -the-way (available in English).The Council of Ethnic Minorities (Rådet for Etniske Minoriteter), financed throughthe annual Finance Act, has among its “areas of action”, a focus on ensuring politicaland democratic participation amongst ethnic minorities, including refugees and othernewly arrived foreigners. Part of the Council’s vision is to ensure a higher participationin democratic elections from ethnic minorities , and to work towards ensuring that par-ticipation of ethnic minorities in Danish institutions and organizations reflects the eth-nic composition of the general Danish population and to work towards an increase inDenmark Page 159the number of ethnic minorities participating actively in Danish civil society and in thedemocratic dialogue.Regarding negative social control the Danish Government, in the autumn of 2018 ,launched three initiatives to help Muslim women who are held involuntarily in religiousmarriages where they are victims of violence or psychological pressure. Funds havebeen set aside to ensure upgrading of skills for municipal employees regarding religiousmarriages and divorces as well as for a separate campaign about the rights regardingentering and dissolution of marriages according to Danish law. Furthermore, a studyon the dissolution of religious marriages and women’s knowledge of their rights wasinitiat ed and published in January 2020.The Danish government informed in May 2020 that it will ban religious marriages ofyouths under the age of 18 as part of an effort to combat negative social control. Aspart of a forthcoming regulation it should be punis hable to conduct a religious mar-riage ceremony of youths under 18 years of age, regardless of the youths consent tothe marriage. Danish legislation already prohibits the civil marriage of individuals un-der the age of 18. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that no underage girlsare pressured by their family, acquaintances or religious society to enter into a religiousmarriage. The government therefore finds that religious preachers who conduct reli-gious marriage ceremonies should be able to be puni shed with up to 2 years imprison-ment and in especially serious cases should be deported from Denmark.Moreover, the government wishes to increase the penalty for detaining a person in aforced marriage and widen access to deportation, which follows from the general de-portation rules, when a foreigner forcibly detains a person in a marriage or in a religiousmarriage.Lithuania Page 16EstoniaEstonia Page 17Estonia Page 18Estonia Page 19Estonia Page 20Estonia Page 21Estonia Page 22Estonia Page 23German Bundestag Page 24GermanBundestagThe participants, elected representatives from the Baltic Sea region states, assembling in onlineform on 24 August 2020,- reaffirming, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, the urgent call andthe expectation that all Baltic Sea states continue to make every effort to ensure the BalticSea region remains a region of peaceful and close neighbourliness as well as intensecooperation. It is precisely in such times of crisis that the basis of our cooperation – based oninternational law, mutual understanding, trust, democratic values, the rule of law, humanrights as well as equal opportunities for all – is of particular importance.The COVID-19 pandemic also poses particular challenges for parliaments: the urgentlyneeded interparliamentary cooperation is faced with the special challenge that parliamentaryassemblies are by their very nature characterised by a larger number of participants.But especially now and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not only necessary tomaintain and intensify cooperation between governments as intensively as possible, but alsoto ensure that the elected representatives of their people in particular, continue tocooperate closely and in a spirit of trust to provide impulses for future government actionand the trustful cooperation of their countries. It is precisely in this way that the impetus canand must be given to consolidate the democratic foundations as well as the parliamentarydimension of the countries involved. The enormous tasks and efforts to contain andovercome the crisis, which are now pending and lie ahead in all countries, more than everneed parliamentary debate and parliamentary cooperation;- noting with appreciation continued practical cooperation in the Baltic Sea region within theframework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), the Northern Dimension, cross-border cooperation programmes between the EU member states and Russia as well as theInterreg Baltic Sea Region programme;- welcoming the efforts of the Danish CBSS Presidency and the Bornholm Declaration from19 May 2020 as a result of a video conference of the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia,Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden and a high-level representative of the European Union as the COVID-19 outbreak prevented them frommeeting in Bornholm, Denmark;- welcoming that the new Baltic Sea Youth Platform established by the CBSS has advanced acore concern of the BSPC to increase youth participation, representation and involvement indecision-making processes throughout the Baltic Sea region;- approving of the detailed statements of the governments of the Baltic Sea countries on the28th resolution of the BSPC and the intensive support of the BSPC calls for action as progressin the cooperation of the Baltic Sea region;- focussing on Baltic Sea Cooperation in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Consequences;Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans for Future Generations; the Development ofDigitalisation as well as Migration and Integration;I. On the declarationsThe German Government welcomes the resolution adopted at the 29th annual Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference (BSPC) of 24 August 2020. The lack of physical meetings that was imposedby the pandemic had a dramatic effect on the manner in which regional partners could interact. Atthe same time, however, this interlude has given impetus to the positive developments andGerman Bundestag Page 252experience that were already under way in digital dialogue – through, for example, the Baltic SeaYouth Platform (BSYP) supported by the German Government and all the members of the Council ofthe Baltic Sea States (CBSS) – and thereby reinforced the involvement of young people.The German Government continues to emphasise the importance of the CBSS, the HelsinkiCommission (HELCOM), the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) and the NorthernDimension (ND) as crucial pillars of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Through its current EUSBSRPresidency and Chairmanship of HELCOM, the German Government has an important role in shapingregional cooperation. The new Action Plan agreed by the EUSBSR member states was published on17 February. It forms the basis of interministerial and cross-border project work and serves, forexample, to strengthen collaboration on climate change and cooperation with neighbours.Confidence-building among all the CBSS member states will remain a key objective for the GermanGovernment. This being the case, the German Government welcomes the work of the new DirectorGeneral, Grzegorz Poznański, and the Lithuanian Presidency.The establishment of the BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity reflects thegrowing importance of these matters in the region, and the German Government will observe itsprogress with favourable interest.call on the governments in the Baltic Sea region, the CBSS and the EU,Regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Consequences, toII. On the calls for action1. continue the relevant cooperation through the Northern Dimension Partnership in PublicHealth and Social Well-being to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in themost effective way and to intensify this cooperation to combat future pandemics in the mosteffective way through exchange of information and best practices;The Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS) works closelywith the WHO Regional Office for Europe, which is also an NDPHS partner organisation. Closecommunication on the pandemic and its consequences – at the technical as well as the political level– also takes place within the EU, the Council of Europe and indeed the WHO Regional Office forEurope. This ensures that the Baltic Sea countries and consequently the NDPHS are closely involved.2. intensify the setup of cross-sectional and transnational reference projects for collaborationand innovations in health sciences with a special focus on the early warning and preventionas well as sufficient combating of pandemics to promote public health on a high andsustainable level and to make the Baltic Sea region a globally leading and prosperousmetaregion in relation to health;Collaboration on all global health matters affecting the region takes place indirectly through theWHO Regional Office for Europe and directly through the NDPHS. Particularly tight cooperation isalready in place for the countries of the European Union, which liaise closely with one another onearly warning, prevention and pandemic preparedness. As permanent observers to the relevant EUbodies, Norway and Iceland are also deeply involved in these discussions. Bilateral projects play arole as well. One stand- out example is Germany’s cooperation with Poland on emergency services,which will make it possible to organise emergency care for our populations jointly in future.3. enforce Digital Health at a Distance strategies and projects, which involve mappinge-medicine initiatives bringing health initiatives into people’s homes and enabling social careGerman Bundestag Page 263from a distance, where face- to-face contacts can be replaced by virtual solutions, andincrease further investments in e-health – also for their use in any future pandemics;The German Government implemented and expedited a wide range of digital projects andinvestments in digital health to combat the pandemic in 2020. Consolidation of the wide range ofpossibilities offered by telemedicine in conjunction with self-management; the coronavirus warningapp; the register maintained by DIVI, the German Interdisciplinary Association of Critical Care andEmergency Medicine; the accelerated implementation of DEMIS, the German electronic reportingand information system for infection control; and the pact for the public health service with itsparticular focus on investing in digital capacities – these are but a few examples of such projects andmeasures. In spite of the pandemic, the German Government has also adhered to its existing andambitious digital healthcare agenda to connect up Germany’s healthcare sector, whi ch includesintroducing electronic patient records with nationwide interoperability as of the start of 2021,opening up new access to digital healthcare apps (“apps on prescription”) and implementing otherdigital ideas such as e-prescriptions. The legislative framework has been pivotally improved in recentyears by the Digital Healthcare Act ( Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz ), the Patient-Data Protection Act(Patientendaten-Schutz-Gesetz ) and the current bill for a Digital Modernisation of Provision and CareAct ( Gesetz zur digitalen Modernisierung von Versorgung und Pflege ), among others. The changesinclude improved use of data for the purposes of research, enhancement of treatment anddevelopment of new therapy-enhancing technologies, as well as investment in the field of digitalcare.The strategy for digital healthcare has a strong focus on the European dimension as well. AsPresident of the Council of the EU, for example, Germany pushed for the EU4Health Programme tofocus on the European Health Data Space as an important lesson to be learned from the pandemic, inorder to improve the underlying conditions for cross-border use of health data. In collaboration withthe European Commission, the German Government has successfully established EU-wideinteroperability for coronavirus warning and contact-tracing apps. Its scope includes countries in theBaltic Sea region. With the Digital Healthcare Act and the Digital Modernisation of Provision and CareBill, moreover, the German Government has proposed a specific date by which its national contactpoint for e-health is to be established. As a component of the e-health network under Article 14 ofthe EU Patient Mobility Directive (2011/24/EU), the national contact point can securely providetreatment data across borders if a patient so wishes. Further to this, the interoperabilityrequirements emphasise the importance of European and international standards, and the fulllicence has been acquired for using the international terminology SNOMED CT, an important elemen tof international semantic interoperability. The German Government already cooperates closely withthe Baltic Sea region states in the e-health network governed by Article 14 of the EU Patient MobilityDirective and within European projects to promote the European Health Data Space. With dueconsideration to the relevant European legislation, the German Government also expressly welcomesregional digital-healthcare projects in the Baltic Sea region, on the assumption that the GermanLänder on the border can contribute to progress.4. continue comprehensive and systemic efforts to strengthen the Baltic Sea cooperation andincrease its resilience in a changing world. These steps may include the elaboration of astrategic document for the development of the Baltic Sea region by 2030; assessment onhow meetings of Heads of Government of the Baltic Sea countries could resume;establishment of streamlined vertical cooperation in the region that would embrace national,regional and municipal levels;German Bundestag Page 274In the interests of further consolidating cooperation, the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials (CSO)has tasked Grzegorz Poznański, Director General of the Secretariat, with drawing up a joint actionplan for medium-term work on the three long-term priorities: Safe & Secure Region, RegionalIdentity, and Sustainable & Prosperous Region. Also on the instructions of the CSO, the CBSSSecretariat has made a fixture of working meetings of the Four Regional Councils of the North (theArctic Council, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the CBSS and the Nordic Council of Ministers) as wellas regional partners (the Union of Baltic Cities and the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation), toenable them to thoroughly coordinate their activities.The German Government also works to further consolidate the continuity of multidimensionalcooperation in the Baltic Sea region by setting proactive agendas when chairing multilateralorganisations. The Baltic Sea Action Plan is currently being updated, the review largely coordinatedby Germany’s Chairmanship of HELCOM. The mainstreaming of climate change and cooperation withneighbours in the new EUSBSR Action Plan further underscores the significance of collaborationamong local, national and regional players.5. continue political dialogue and practical cooperation within the framework of the NorthernDimension Policy and its partnerships; put forward the implementation of cross-bordercooperation programmes between the EU member states and Russia as well as the InterregBaltic Sea Region programme, and actively engage in developing the new generation of theseprogrammes for the period of 2021-2027; encourage broader involvement of all partners invarious formats of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region;At the annual Assembly of Contributors to the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership(NDEP), the contributors – the German Government among them – advocated extending the run-time of the NDEP Fund by five years (until November 2027). As part of this cooperation, the GermanGovernment supports the implementation of investment projects for the environment, climateaction and nuclear safety within the catchment areas of the Baltic and Barents Seas (north-westRussia, Kaliningrad and Belarus), including investments in modernising sanitation, wastemanagement and district heating as well as dealing with the legacies of nuclear activities in theregion.Also in the ND context, the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL) wasextended by another five years in 2020. The German Government spoke in favour of this extensiontoo. The European External Action Service (EEAS) is planning a high-level ND meeting in Iceland for2021. Within the framework of the CBSS, the German Government, alongside all the other members,has called on the Secretariat to engage in close dialogue with all the ND partnerships.On the subject of European territorial cooperation (ETC), there is close coordination at the technicallevel between the National Coordinators of the EUSBSR and the Joint Programming Committee (JPC)of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme regarding goals and funding options for the new 2021-2027 funding period. A joint meeting of all National Coordinators and JPC members took place inSeptember 2020. All the participants advocated continuing to collaborate with the non-EU countriesBelarus, Norway, Iceland and Russia at the project level.6. use the platforms of projects already implemented within the framework of the CBSS tostudy and identify the best practices of the countries of the region in overcoming theconsequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures to preserve employment ofboth the population as a whole and individual groups that are particularly vulnerable in thelabour market;German Bundestag Page 285At their meeting on 19 May, the CBSS foreign ministers unanimously acknowledged the necessity ofregional cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. See also the replies to calls for action 1,2 and 3 above.7. work together towards common solutions and responses rather than strict nationalapproaches, enhance strong cooperation and coordination across borders and promotemobility and trade especially in cross-border regions;People living in cross-border regions have been particularly affected by the consequences of theCOVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has drawn attention to how closely interconnected the states ofthe region are. It is important to communicate effectively with one another, to coordinate measuresand, at need, to show solidarity and support. The mutual trust that has grown between the regionalstakeholders is a valuable asset in this regard.Particularly in light of this, the Federal Foreign Office is working to further strengthen existingstructures of cross- border cooperation with Germany’s neighbours and to generally enhance t henetwork connecting these structures. It takes part in a large number of regular digital dialogueforums on the COVID-19 situation in border regions. The latter is also true of the Federal Ministry ofthe Interior, Building and Community, which is planning to hold a conference on the lessons of theCOVID-19 pandemic for cooperation in border regions as soon as in-person events are permissibleagain.8. include the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the discussion, andacknowledge the need for mapping the different economic rescue packages taken on by theBSPC governments in order to, at a later point, compare the different strategies;The following is a reply to calls for action 8 and 9 together:As well as exacting a great personal and social cost, the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemichas led to the worst economic downturn in the history of the European Union. This historic crisis callsfor a determined European response and exertion of strength. This was why Germany’s Presidency ofthe Council of the EU in the second half of 2020 constantly sought to reinforce cohesion andsolidarity among the EU member states and thereby strengthen the EU as a whole. The importantthing is to learn the lessons of this crisis and stake out the right parameters for an EU that will remaincompetitive, economically robust and innovative into the future. In this shared context, close andtrust-based collaboration in the Baltic Sea region remains a long-term priority for the GermanGovernment.9. promote and support a restart where companies, business and jobs are secured.See the reply to call for action 8 above.Regarding Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans for Future Generations, to10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation and the sustainable use of the BalticSea in order to protect marine biodiversity;Achieving and developing the coherence of the HELCOM network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs),in combination with effective MPA management, is intended to help improve the protection ofmarine biodiversity. This is flanked by efforts and measures to protect threatened species andhabitats in the Baltic Sea, for example to improve the health of Baltic subpopulations of harbourporpoise, reintroduce the sturgeon and map the migration routes of birds in the region.German Bundestag Page 296International cooperation on marine spatial planning likewise makes an important contribution tothe preservation, protection and improvement of the marine environment, including its resilience tothe effects of climate change, as well as contributing to the sustainable development of the BalticSea region. According to the European Marine Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89/EU), thesustainable development of the seas is to be supported by means of an ecosystem-based approach.Taking the ecosystem-based approach is intended to ensure that use of the seas is limited to anextent compatible with achieving good environmental status as defined in the Marine StrategyFramework Directive (2008/56/EC).11. continue to recognise the Baltic Sea as international waters, with freedom of navigation andconcerning the protection of the environment;The German Government points out that the Baltic Sea does not consist entirely of “internationalwaters”, all of its coastal states having delineated the boundaries of and between their territorialseas in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982. The GermanGovernment champions the universal validity of UNCLOS and its principles, which include freedom ofnavigation and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.12. continue and enhance national and international efforts to reduce emissions of nutrients tothe Baltic Sea;Given its particular natural characteristics as a semi-enclosed sea with low water exchange and deepbasins, eutrophication as a result of excessive nutrient inflow, chiefly from agriculture, is a majorproblem for the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea. As eight of the nine Baltic Sea states are member statesof the EU, they share the legal obligations regarding nutrient emissions enshrined in the NitratesDirective (91/676/EEC) and the Water and Marine Strategy Framework Directives (2000/60/EC and2008/56/EC). Germany’s national action prompted by these directives includes the revision of itsFertiliser Application Ordinance ( Düngeverordnung ) as well as specific measures to transpose theWater and Marine Strategy Framework Directives into law. Germany has made combatingeutrophication one of the priorities of its current HELCOM Chairmanship. It is a priority to furtherreduce the excessive nutrient pollution of the Baltic Sea. Possible ways to cut nutrient emissions areto be developed by, for example, analysing the obstacles to implementation, updating the record onnutrient hotspots and considering tailored local approaches.Counter to the ambitions of some Baltic Sea states, the German Government is in favour of robustregulation of marine geoengineering activities. End- of-pipe solutions must be accorded onlysecondary importance compared to measures to reduce and avoid nutrient emissions.Greater collaboration is also being sought with partners, i.e. interest groups in the scientificcommunity and elsewhere, in pursuit of the HELCOM targets. The intention is to deploy integratedsolutions to counteract the growing and ever more complex effects of human activity on the marineenvironment, and to establish stronger connections – and, consequently, a better balance – betweenthe interests of exploitation and protection.13. ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem in linewith the requirements of the Espoo Convention and again reaffirm that large scale projectsthat have a major impact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region have to comply with theobligations arising from relevant international treaties and conventions, including the EspooConvention and the Helsinki Convention;An instrument of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the Espoo Convention ensures thatthe affected states and the general public in those countries are involved in corporate environmentalGerman Bundestag Page 307procedures (environmental impact assessments) pertaining to projects in other states that are likelyto have a significant environmental impact across boundaries. This reciprocal involvement inindustrial projects is especially important for the states of the Baltic Sea region and is, as a rule,implemented correctly and fruitfully. To improve cooperation among the Baltic Sea states, regularinformal communication takes place between all their national Espoo points of contact. The dialoguewas conducted in a virtual format this year. When it comes to major projects that affect the coastsand coastal areas, particular attention is paid to fulfilment of the obligations arising from the EspooConvention. The German Government is in close contact with the authorities responsible for thetechnical implementation of the individual projects.14. support that the HELCOM Chairmanship – also in light of the socio-political and economicconsequences of the COVID-19 pandemic – pursues the objectives of explicitly consideringaspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate and biodiversity as well as suitability in theupdating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and future HELCOM decisions and – in accordance withthe calls for action of the BSPC – not only to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan but also tovisibly accelerate and intensify its implementation, to work together to the best of allabilities to further reduce the excessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to strive foranother Ministerial Meeting in 2021;The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in almost all areas of life since mid-March 2020. All over the world, forces have been combined to fight the pandemic.At the same time, we are still facing all the other challenges like global warming, the destruction ofour natural environment and marine pollution. The sustainable economic recovery we need in thecoming months therefore has to include progress on protecting the environment – meaning themarine environment too. Germany’s HELCOM Chairmanship from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2022 iscampaigning for this and seeks to generate useful impetus for sustainability, relevance to the climateand biodiversity.It is furthermore intended that the indispensable and science-based work on fundamentals atHELCOM will continue under the German Chairmanship. The priority is to conclude an ambitiousreview of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and to expedite its implementation to reduce the nutrient load inthe Baltic Sea. There are also plans to analyse the obstacles to implementation, update the record onnutrient hotspots and investigate tailored local approaches in order to develop options for reducingnutrient emissions.15. acknowledging the priorities of Germa ny’s HELCOM Chairmanship to intensify efforts tomonitor and to treat the problem of dumped munitions, wrecks and ghost nets in the BalticSea on a common international approach supporting the existing national and internationalefforts and responsibilities, moreover to strengthen existing political structures and scientificprojects, also thus to make the Baltic Sea region become a global leader in the field of solvingproblems associated with dumped munitions and unexploded ordnance located underwateras well as in the field of wrecks and ghost nets.The German Government reaffirms its intention to attach special political significance during itsHELCOM Chairmanship to the subject of maritime contamination and lost or discarded fishingequipment and to advance the development of international and cross-institutional cooperation onthe matter. The goal is also to translate national approaches, strategies and procedures into theregional and supra-regional context.Regarding the Development of Digitalisation, toGerman Bundestag Page 31816. promote e-health in appropriate areas with great efforts so that general health care can bemaintained as far as possible in pandemic situations;See the reply to call for action 3 above.17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personal interaction inthe Baltic Sea region and intensify cross-border cooperation, especially in the case that thepossibility for face- to-face contacts will stay limited;The expansion of digital infrastructure in fixed-line and mobile networks can contribute to greaterinterconnectivity for the economy and society in the Baltic Sea region. The various measures plannedfor the expansion and upgrading of digital infrastructure are given in the reply to call for action 18below.18. enforce the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digitalinfrastructure as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, education, researchand in administration, along with the goal of increasing cross-border cooperation as well asfurther cross-border contacts.The German Government is working for secure digital infrastructure and pursuing the goal ofnationwide provision of gigabit-capable broadband connections for all households by 2025 as well asthe rapid development and roll-out of 5G mobile networks. The market-driven roll-out by privatecompanies takes precedence. The amendment of the Telecommunications Act(Telekommunikationsgesetz) purposefully creates incentives for investment and innovation. A seriesof measures are already under way at the national level to accelerate planning and authorisationprocedure in connection with the broadband roll-out. The German Government is actively involved inthe ongoing process of creating a connectivity toolbox at the EU level on the basis of CommissionRecommendation (EU) 2020/1307. Developed by the EU member states in collaboration with theCommission, the toolbox collates examples of best practice for reducing the costs of deploying veryhigh capacity (VHC) networks, ensuring timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrumand fostering connectivity in general. Federal support for the broadband roll-out, which wasestablished in 2015 and updated in 2018, cuts in wherever the market-driven roll-out is nothappening. Through the broadband funding programme, around EUR 8 billion so far have beenapproved for nearly 2,000 roll-out projects in areas lacking provision (<30 Mbps). The programme iscurrently being expanded to include areas which do have download speeds of 30 Mbps but not of100 Mbps.The mobile communications strategy contains a range of measures for the nationwide expansion andupgrading of mobile network coverage. They include a mobile communications funding programmeworth EUR 1.1 billion to build up to 5,000 mobile phone masts, which is in the planning stage, as wellas a mobile communications infrastructure company, MIG, which has already been founded. Themobile communications funding programme, implemented by MIG, is intended to close theremaining gaps in coverage still afflicting some households and transport routes – that is, those gapsnot yet covered by the provision stipulations of the last spectrum auction and the contractual roll-outpledges made by mobile network operators.Regarding Migration and Integration, to19. aspire to harmonise the practices concerning (1) returns, (2) processing of asylumapplications, and (3) reception standards provided for minor asylum applicants, while takinginto account both national and human/fundamental rights considerations;German Bundestag Page 329The Asylum Procedures Directive (2013/32/EU) and the Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU)harmonise the rules for processing asylum applications and reception standards for unaccompaniedminors in the European Union.. In the reform of the Common European Asylum System, the GermanGovernment is pushing for greater harmonisation of asylum procedures and standards. Withoutexception, Germany guarantees the implementation of special procedural safeguards forunaccompanied minors as well as adherence to human and fundamental rights standards.20. strive for multinational cooperation and coordination in order to balance undesirabledevelopments such as labour shortages and labour surpluses;A core objective of the German Government’s Skilled Labour Strategy is to avoid the paradox ofsimultaneous labour shortages and surpluses which will increasingly arise in future as a result ofstructural change, demographic factors, digitalisation and decarbonisation. The Skilled LabourStrategy is built on three pillars, centring around the domestic, European and international labourforces. A primary focus of the domestic pillar is based on qualifications and continuous vocationaltraining. At the European level, there are established formats and institutions in place to facilitatecross-border job placements, such as the European Job Mobility (EURES) portal. The SkilledImmigration Act ( Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz ) also made the conditions for employing foreignskilled workers in Germany significantly less onerous.21. disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting the employment and integration ofspecial groups of immigrants which deserve particular protection;The following is a reply to calls for action 21 to 26 together:The overarching goal of federal integration policy is for all people legally resident in Germany,whether or not they were born here, to be able to fulfil their own potential and contribute to society.To that end, federal integration policy is led by the principle of support in conjunction withexpectations. The German Government’s concept of integration encompasses not only the grantingof rights but also the identification of certain responsibilities that immigrants themselves and societyas a whole are expected to assume.To assist immigrants and people with migrant backgrounds in their integration efforts and generatean integration-friendly climate in society, federal integration policy targets three broad areas whichare crucial to the success of integration in Germany. These are (1) language, (2) education, vocationaltraining, university and employment, and (3) society (see call for action 22).In principle, new arrivals who need support with German language learning and/or integration intovocational training, the labour market and society in general are offered two basic services. The firstprovides an introduction to Germany, with information appropriate to various target audiences,advice (including digital communication) for adolescents and adults with migrant backgrounds, and,as part of the overall language programme, an integration course tailored to specific needs whichimparts language skills and guidance for taking part in society.The second basic service focuses on integration into vocational training and the labour market andinvolves recognition of foreign qualifications; job-related German courses offered as part of theoverall language programme or of university language support; careers orientation; integrationassistance and subject-specific support for apprentices; specific measures supporting labour-marketintegration that properly reflects people’s qualifications and facilitates upward mobility; andassistance starting a degree programme.The German Government provides specific measures for special groups of immigrants which deserveparticular protection (see call for action 21). They include measures for women as well as for childrenGerman Bundestag Page 3310and adolescents, people with disabilities, and LGBTTIQ people. Special types of integration course areoffered, for instance, for parents/women, adolescents and people with disabilities. Additionally,social and learning support is being trialled in integration courses to help people overcome obstaclesto learning caused by trauma or by the hindrances of everyday life. The German Governmentattaches particu lar important to women’s integration. For example, is has been funding easy -accessmeasures for the integration of foreign women and girls since 1985. These easy- access women’scourses are offered exclusively to women in the hope of strengthening their autonomy and therebysmoothing their way to making use of further integration assistance. Funding for childcare offeredduring integration courses enables fathers and mothers who cannot use standard childcare servicesto participate in those courses.A complete overview of the integration and language-support measures provided by the GermanGovernment is published (in German) athttps://www.bmas.de/DE/Service/Publikationen/massnahmen-der-bundesregierung-fuer-sprachfoerderung- und-integration.html. It includes descriptions of other measures over and abovethose outlined here.Integration policy should be both treated as a specialist category and mainstreamed across all policyareas, and it can only be successful if business and society are part of the endeavour. Integrationassistance, the work of the private sector, of employers, chambers of commerce and unions, and thededication of civil society complement one another in driving integration, so they have the backing ofthe German Government (see calls for action 23 and 24). Under the overall leadership of the FederalGovernment Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, the National Action Plan onIntegration is being revised in a participatory process bringing together the Länder and nationalassocia tions of local authorities, migrants’ organisations, charities and many other civil -societyplayers. The results are published online in successive phases (in German: https://www.nationaler-aktionsplan-integration.de/napi-de). The German Government has also deployed an expertcommission which has drawn up proposals on key integration issues, particularly matters relating tosociety’s capacity for integration (in German: https://www.integrationsbeauftragte.de/ib -de/amt-und-person/fachkommission-integrationsfaehigkeit). The report will be submitted in January 2021.Alongside these efforts, the federal ministries hold regular dialogue sessions with importantstakeholders from civil society and the private sector.The German Government supports a large number of measures, for Germans with and withoutmigrant backgrounds, which look at the interaction between immigrants and their host societies,establish sponsorship and support structures through many forms of public involvement, fostermutual understanding and respect, combat discrimination and racism, and contribute to peacefulcoexistence (see calls for action 24 and 25). Those running such measures are often elements of civilsociety, particularly migrants’ organisations. All the measures can be found in the a bove-mentionedpublished overview of the integration and language-support measures provided by the GermanGovernment. Of particular note is the Integration through Sport programme, which has beenreceiving support for over 30 years to get people with migrant backgrounds involved at all levels inthe activities of sports clubs, both as active members and as volunteers. It also offers training forvolunteers and officials from the host society on handling intercultural situations in sport (in German:https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/heimat-integration/integration/integration-sport/integration-sport-node.html).The need to avoid spatial segregation presents cities and communities with challenges which theyrequire various kinds of support measures to overcome.German Bundestag Page 3411As part of urban development assistance, action is taken specifically to address spatial segregation.Activating brownfield sites, for example, is a key factor, especially as a support to residentialconstruction. The federal government provides a total of EUR 790 million a year for urbandevelopment assistance programmes.Creating the right conditions for integration, vibrant neighbourhoods and social cohesion is aperennial task for urban development assistance. The work of fulfilling it is led by the Social Cohesionurban development assistance programme (previously the Social City programme). As theprogramme stood in 2019, there were 5.5 million people living in the areas receiving its assistance –one in fifteen of Germany’s population.Not only investment in urban development, e.g. in locally accessible social infrastructure, but alsoneighbourhood management and measures to mobilise participation and volunteering help toenhance quality of life, encourage more mixed use of space, strengthen neighbourhood cohesion andultimately stabilise districts which house socially disadvantaged groups.What is more, creating and maintaining a socially stable demographic mix and thereby avoidingsegregation represents one of the fundamental funding criteria that have guided the long tradition ofsocial-housing construction in Germany.In conurbations, moreover, when local authorities newly designate plots as building land or whenpublic land is released, investors are regularly required to make a certain proportion of the unitssubsidised housing, which has demonstrated that social-housing construction is a prerequisite forsocial desegregation (see call for action 25).The German Government’s integration measures are supplemented by preparatory integrationservices for legal migration which provide information and tips as well as tailored guidance tomigrants and beneficiaries of refugee resettlement or humanitarian admission schemes while theyare still abroad, i.e. in their countries of origin or in transit countries, to make their arrival inGermany easier and particularly to prepare them for the early stages of orientation and initialintegration. These services are described in the Phase I Report of the National Action Plan onIntegration (available in German athttps://www.integrationsbeauftragte.de/resource/blob/72490/1725822/7af8ldflecb082f230cf23e41d1568ae/bericht-phase-i-napi-data.pdf) (see call for action 26).22. acknowledge the multifaceted character of integration (i.e. labour market, language, socialrelationships, cultural accommodation etc.). This understanding should also be put intopractice at the legislative and policy levels;See the reply to call for action 21 above.23. streamline public policies and allocate resources in order to facilitate desirable workingconditions among the NGOs and informal networks supporting social and labour marketintegration of migrants;See the reply to call for action 21 above.24. acknowledge the importance of civil society and NGOs in facilitating integration, where sportassociations are one example of organisations that play an important, unifying role inintegration helping people to get introduced to the society, activated, and bringing togethernew groups of people;See the reply to call for action 21 above.German Bundestag Page 351225. promote good relations within society and promote diversity. Such measures may involveinformation campaigns, organisation of events and housing policy that promotes diverseresidential areas;See the reply to call for action 21 above.26. acknowledge the concept of three-way integration in legislation and policies. Formulatepolicies that enhance each aspect of the three- way integration model’s ability to function;See the reply to call for action 21 above.27. compile more comprehensive data on the local level on social, economic, employment andpopulation trends in the BSPC region, which will assist immigration and immigrant policy-making;Data on social, economic, employment and population trends are already gathered by, for example,the statistics division of the Federal Employment Agency, the Institute for Employment Research, theFederal Statistical Office and the Federal Institute for Population Research. At the European andinternational levels too, institutions such as Eurostat and the International Labour Organizationcollate and publish comparable and regionalised data on social developments. In recent years, thestatistics division of the Federal Employment Agency has substantially expanded its reporting on theeffects of migration on the labour market, and it is currently working on ways to present its data in amore regionalised form, e.g. by using geographical grids.28. give relevant projects on migration and integration, including the planned flagship project onthe subject, “Recognising potential – enabling the integration of migrants”, in theforthcoming EUSBSR Action Plan from 2021 on, timely political support;Germany is already pursuing the goals of Action 4: Recognising potential – easing the way formigrants of the forthcoming EUSBSR Action Plan in its funding policy, supporting numerous measuresand projects designed to nurture migrants’ potential and assist their successful entry into the labourmarket (see call for action 22).29. regarding the worldwide developments in spring 2020, and considering that the COVID-19pandemic as well as the consequences and burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic havenecessitated a temporary reappraisal of our response to other problems and challenges, takeinto account the following principles:a. The issue of migration and integration must continue to be given high priority;b. Migration in the Baltic Sea region, in Europe and worldwide, is and remains anessential issue for countries and continues to give rise to unprecedented humanitarian,economic, security and political challenges;c. International cooperation – including in the Baltic Sea region – must be furtherstrengthened in this policy area;d. The issue of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups needs continued politicalfocus;The German Government has continued tackling the subject of migration and the associatedchallenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably as part of its Presidency of theCouncil of the EU. It conducted intensive discussions in the Council on matters relating to the pact onmigration and asylum submitted by the Commission, particularly on solidarity in burden sharing, pre-German Bundestag Page 3613arrival procedure, secondary movement, the external dimension and legal migration. Germany hasproduced a progress report setting out what has been achieved on the core elements of the pact sofar, thereby laying the foundations of an ambitious realignment. To safeguard the effectiveprotection of our external borders, specific recommendations for action relating to returns weremade to expedite and underpin the swift operationalisation of the new Frontex mandate andstanding corps. Germany was also able to conclude the political negotiations with the EuropeanParliament on extensively updating the EU Visa Information System. In future, next to automaticsharing of data with other EU security and migration databases, it will be possible throughout Europeto access information about long-stay visas and national residence permits issued by the EU memberstates.Germany’s migration policy is grounded in humanity and order. To be humane is a moral and legalobligation. To maintain order in and limit immigration is crucial to the political feasibility of migrationpolicy.At the national level, Germany has made its asylum procedure much more efficient in recent years.Many laws have been amended, processes have been optimised, and more staff have beenemployed. The authorities responsible for asylum and integration can now share data with oneanother more effectively. Germany has revised its rules on issuing visas in order to better monitorsecurity-related cases at entry and departure and better prevent visa hopping. It has also, throughnegotiations with numerous countries of origin, improved its options for enforcing the obligation toleave the country. Many people who are considered potential security threats have been returned.Germany has also continued expanding its programmes for voluntary return and return counselling.Germany is pushing for greater protection of t he EU’s external borders, pre -checking of asylumapplications at the external borders, prevention of secondary movement and abuse of the asylumsystem, solidarity in the division of responsibilities, a better return system, reinforcement of theexternal dimension and improved monitoring of the migration situation. In the course ofresettlement schemes, Germany took in over 5,000 people from EU member states with particularlyoverstretched asylum systems between 2015 and 2018. Since 2018, Germany has regularly exceededits existing obligations by assuming responsibility for more than 1,300 asylum seekers rescued at sea.Additionally, Germany has voluntarily admitted over 1,500 people from Greece since 18 April 2020,including more than 200 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, the new-born child of anunaccompanied minor seeking asylum, over 240 children in need of treatment along with over750 members of their nuclear families, and almost 300 recognised beneficiaries of protection asfamily members.The German Government monitors the situation of unaccompanied minors continuously and withparticular care. It produces an annual report on work to improve the way foreign children andadolescents are accommodated, provided for and looked after.The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has been using specially trained caseworkers, referredto as special representatives, in hearing procedures for unaccompanied minors and other vulnerablegroups since 1996. These special representatives undergo special training and are familiarised withthe needs of particularly vulnerable groups. The training courses are continuously amended to reflectnew findings.30. maintain and further develop the institutions and projects that have been set up in manycountries in the Baltic Sea region as a result of the sharp increase in refugee numbers in 2015and 2016 and which have made a decisive contribution to improved integration, in order tobetter respond to future needs in this area;German Bundestag Page 3714The strategic approaches of the German Government, which were geared towards the humanitarianimmigration of recent years, have been and continue to be adapted to current and foreseeabledevelopments in immigration. Headed jointly by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building andCommunity, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal GovernmentCommissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, an interministerial working group onintegration safeguards the flow of information and the overall strategic development of integrationmeasures. The success of existing and new measures is monitored. The National Action Plan onIntegration and the German Government’s Expert Commission on the Framework Conditions forIntegration are two examples of ways in which the German Government makes sure that integrationassistance is aligned with actual immigration and kept up to date. The findings of research conductedin the field of integration and migration are also used to develop evidence-based political action. TheGerman Government therefore aims to further enhance integration research and measurement.31. maintain and extend the support for local authorities from the state level in this task,because in the long term, they bear the main responsibility in the context of sustainableintegration and implementation of long-term integration measures;Integration takes place at the local level, in communities. The Länder and local authorities areimportant players in integration, with which the federal level cooperates closely. The federalgovernment supports the Länder and local authorities in dealing with refugee movements andhelping refugees to integrate. Integration measures funded from the federal budget, such asintegration courses, migration advice services for adult migrants and funding for community-orientedprojects, are offered nationwide, which takes an organisational and financial burden away from theLänder and local authorities. There is regular expert dialogue with the Länder and local authorities onmatters of integration policy, e.g. in the context of the federal- Länder meeting on integration held bythe Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The local authorities are furthermore involved in theprocess of continuously revising elements of integration policy such as the above-mentionedNational Action Plan on Integration and the Expert Commission on the Framework Conditions forIntegration.32. take up successful examples of best practices in other Baltic Sea countries, some of which arehighlighted in the Final Report of the BSPC Workin g Group on ‘Migration and Integration’,provided that they can be integrated into the respective legal and structural frameworks.Many of the integration-related practices mentioned in the Final Report of the BSPC Working Groupon Migration and Integration are already integral parts of Germany’s integration assistance. Asoutlined in relation to call for action 30 above, the German Government aims to continuously updateits integration assistance. The German Government sets great store by dialogue with other countrieson the subject. This was notably made clear in the informal dialogue on integration and socialcohesion held by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community on 9 November 2020as part of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of th e EU.German Bundestag Page 38Finland Page 39FinlandFinland Page 401(3)Id VersionumeroLiikenne - ja viestintäministeriö Käyntiosoite Postiosoite Puhelin www.lvm.fiEteläesplanadi 16 PL 31 029516001 etunimi.sukunimi@lvm.fiHelsinki 00023 Valtioneuvosto kirjaamo@lvm.fiItämeri -konferenssin suositusten seurantaMääräaika : 30.6.2021Action regarding call to action nr. 5, regarding political dialogueand practical cooperation within the framework of the NorthernDimension Policy and its partnerships;The Ministry of Transport and Communications has seconded a Finnishtransport expert to the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport andLogistics starting from May 2021, until the end of the year 2022. The aimof the secondment is to facilitate ideas and investigate possibilities fornew projects within the framework of the partnership.Action regard ing call to action nr . 7, regarding i.a. promotingmobility and trade especially in cross -border regions..Covid -19 has strongly influenced the use and supply of the transport andmobility system in Finland. According to the competent transportauthorities, the number of transport users has fallen by as much as 70 -90% because of the epidemic.Prior to the cov id-19 pandemic, there were no regulations in Finnishlegislation concerning health safety in transport and mobility. As theepidemic situation intensified in the spring of 2020, it was also found thatthe administrative authorities of the Ministry of Trans port andCommunications did not have sufficient competence to deal with theepidemic. For this reason, The Ministry of Transport and Communicationshas prepared package of laws to consider health safety in shipping andaviation. The aim has been to create better opportunities for theministry's administrative authorities to support the authoritiesresponsible for health safety in a pandemic situation.Under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, theFinnish Communicable Diseases Act i s also being amended to take intoaccount measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic in transport.These measures concern hygiene and safety practices as well as possibletemporary restrictions on the number of passengers in the vehicle andcontrol of cross-border traffic. They also apply to all modes of transport.With regard to the changes required by EU ́s Digital Green Certificate,the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has launched legislativeand preparatory work, in which the Ministry o f Transport andCommunications is also participating. The Ministry of Transport andCommunications was also involved in the development of the nationalcontact tracing app, Koronavilkku.In international relations, the Ministry of Transport and Communicat ionshas emphasized an active dialogue between relevant authorities, whichKAN/TIO/VEOFinland Page 412(3)Id VersionumeroLiikenne - ja viestintäministeriö Käyntiosoite Postiosoite Puhelin www.lvm.fiEteläesplanadi 16 PL 31 029516001 etunimi.sukunimi@lvm.fiHelsinki 00023 Valtioneuvosto kirjaamo@lvm.fiis essential to coordinate policy measures to ensure resilience in thetransport and mobility sector and best prevention practices and measuresin different countries. Creating a co mmon picture of the situation isparticularly useful for people when they have a clear idea of what isexpected of them in traffic in any country and in each mode of transport.This will also increase confidence in cross -border traffic.Action regarding c all to action nr. 12, regarding continuing andenhancing national and international efforts to reduce emissionsof nutrients to the Baltic Sea ;The Finnish Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport hasbeen amended in 2021 in order to better e nsure sufficient port receptionfacilities in line with the EU Port Reception Facilities Directive. Theamendments ensure a better network of reception of oily waste, garbage,including hazardous waste, and sewage, all along the Finnish coast andarchipela go. The 100 % no special fee system for oily waste, sewage andgarbage has been upheld. In addition, the amendments includerestrictions on ship -to-ship bunkering and transfers of hazardous andnoxious substances.Action regarding call to action nr. 18, r egarding enforcing thedevelopment and establishment of a trustworthy and securedigital infrastructure ;In June 2021, Finland adopted a Government Resolution on the CyberSecurity Development Programme. The programme is a concreteimplementation plan on how to develop cyber security across sectorsbetween years 2021 -2030. The primary aim of the Programme is todeliver growth and improve the sustainability of the digital society. Fourthemes of the Programme are: top -level competence, close collaboration,strong domestic cyber security industry and effective national cybersecurity capabilities.Another tool aiming at improving cyber security in society is agovernment resolution, also adopted in June 2021, on improvinginformation security and data protection in critical sectors of society. Theresolution emphasises more efficient and organised cooperation of theauthorities and clearly targeted statutory requirements and obligations inthe information security sector..as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business,education, research and in administration ;The Finnish way forward is to foster data utilization and digitalizationwhich may bring resilience, increase competitiveness and efficiency fortransport and logistic s. Digitalization is enhancing the systemic change inorder to achieve the climate and efficiency targets. The Ministry ofTransport and Communications prepared a governmental strategy for thedigitalization of logistics. The strategy was released on 5th o f October in2020.The strategy is assessing extensively the ways to progress the digitalshift. The key is enhanced cross -sectoral and cross -mode interoperabilityFinland Page 423(3)Id VersionumeroLiikenne - ja viestintäministeriö Käyntiosoite Postiosoite Puhelin www.lvm.fiEteläesplanadi 16 PL 31 029516001 etunimi.sukunimi@lvm.fiHelsinki 00023 Valtioneuvosto kirjaamo@lvm.fiwhere the cornerstones are the enabling legislation as well astechnological development, pilots and cooperation. This is requiringfostering the broad, ecosystemic data exchange. Above all, as logistics ishighly international, in order to reach the digital, cross -border logisticschains the EU level and international cooperation is needed.Finland has also already started the implementation work towards acompletely new maritime information management system based on theEMSWe regulation. This new system will not only replace the previousnational Portnet system but is planned to facilitate b roader ecosystemicexchange of data in ports for logistic operators and also be incorporatedto the data spaces initiative of the EU Commission.The aim is to ensure that the EMSW project will fit in nicely with the otherdata exchange that is ongoing at port communities. Therefore as part ofthe project we are mapping the current state of the wider port communitydata exchange ecosystem architecture, and together with the communityrepresentatives defining the future target state. This work will help to seeexactly how the Finnish national maritime single window will fit in andwhat else remains to be accomplished from the port communitiesperspective.Finally, t he Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland ispreparin g a strategic plan on trans port automation including legislationthat will pave the way for transport auto mation in system level. Thisinvolves highly -automated and autonomous shipping.Finland Page 431/5Valtioneuvoston kanslia VASTAUSJussi Soramäki 24.6.2021Emma BorgViite Toimenpidepyyntö 2.6.202129. ITÄMERI -KONFERENSSIN SUOSITUSTEN SEURANTATyö- ja elinkeinoministeriön vastaukset 29. Itämeri -konferenssin suositusten seurantaa varten :Regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID -19 Pandemic and itsConsequences, to6. use the platforms of projects already implemented within the framework of theCBSS to study and identify the best practices of the countries of the Region inovercoming the consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic, including measures topreserve employment of both the population as a whole and individual groupsthat are particularly vulnerable in the labour market;In Finland the main measure to preserve employment during the COVID19 –pandemic re-late to Temporary Lay -Off Scheme:Temporary lay -off is a permanent part of the Finnish labour market. It means that employermay suspend work and payment of wages and the employee may discontinue work, but theemployment relationship is not terminated. Valid reas ons to lay -off temporarily are the fol-lowing:1. Financial or production -related reason2. Work has diminished substantially and permanently, and there is no other work ortraining3. Employer’s potential for offering work has diminished temporarily and the employ ercannot reasonably provide other suitable work or training => fixed -term (max 90days) lay -offLay-off may be a full -time (most common), or a part -time, in which case the daily or weeklyworking hours are reduced. If lay -off continues more than 200 days , possibility to terminatethe employment relationship. Remuneration for employee during the lay -off is the unem-ployment benefit.Due to COVID19, some changes were made to Finnish lay -off scheme :In March 2020, that is in record -breaking time, the Finnish social partners agreed on a crisispact that, among other matters, proposed changes to the Temporary Lay -Off Scheme:1. Shortening Lay -Off procedure from 14 days or six weeks to 5 days2. Shortening Lay -Off notice period from 14 to 5 days3. Full right to temporarily lay -off fixed -term employees4. Clarifying the possibility to use legal emergency clause to lay -off during Covid -195. Government to secure the funding of unemployment benefits for laid -offFinland Page 442/56. Improvements in laid -off employees’ unemployment securityThese changes had effects to both law and collective agreements. Government Bill toamend Temporary Lay -Off Scheme was signed on the 26th of March 2020, coming into forceon the 1st of April 2020. Temporary law was first in force until the end of June 2020, later itwas extended until the end of 2020.Furthermore, the entrepreneurs ́ right to labour market support was made possible asa result of the coronavirus pandemic. It has been possible to pay labour market support toentrepreneurs in a situation where the workload or income from the company has de-creased as a result of the pandemic. The support applies to all entrepreneurs regardless ofwhether the business is carried on as a private entrepreneur or in company form. It can begranted to entrepreneurs in all sectors. This exception will continue until the end of Septem-ber.8. include the economic consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic in the discus-sion, and acknowledge the need for mapping the different economic rescuepackages taken on by the BSCP governments in order to, at a later point, com-pare the different strategies;THE COVID -19 epidemic and its treatment caused liquidity problems for companies on a fasttimescale. The epidemic spread rapidly in spring 2020. The Finnish Government decided tointroduce the Preparedness Act on 16.3.2020. The Government decided on several supportmeasures in March -May 2020. As a rule, the aid measures will remain in force for a temporaryperiod in 2020.The role of private sector financiers is significant. In the face of an economic crisis, the startingpoint is that entrepreneurs contact their own bank and financial institutions. Banks can dis-cuss, for example, short -term holidays and time limits. The State sought to build a flexiblefinancing system with banks and financial institutions on a fast schedule. Other governmentmeasures will also be agreed. The starting point can be the availability of market -based fi-nancial support, increased use of returneable support instrume nts, different flexibility of pay-ments and, ultimately, more targeted direct payments to companies.The state progressed from market -based and other benefits granted to the business sectortowards EU state aid and increasingly targeted aid. In addition to the subsidies, the Govern-ment amended the bankruptcy law, granted tax flexibility and facilitated, for example, thelay-off scheme. In early July, flexibility in the banking sector was introduced.Measures:1. Finnvera Ltd's possibility to give loans and quarantees was increased. In addition,the compensation share of the loan and guarantee losses paid by the State toFinnvera was increased which made possible to make more risk in an uncertainsituation.2. Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (Tesi) invests (equi ty) from the stabilisation pro-gramme in medium -sized enterprises facing sudden and temporary difficultiesdue to the coronavirus, which are in a position to overcome economic problemsthrough additional funding. Investments aim to ensure the continuity of businessactivities across the crisis. Tesi is a state -owned investment company, and makesinvestments on the same terms and return expectations together with private in-vestors (there is no state aid involved).3. The business cost support is intended for fir ms whose turnover has f allen signifi-cantly ( -30%) as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. The third application roundfor business cost support will take place from 27 April to 23 June 2021, which isused to cover firm’s fixed costs and wages. The aim of the cost support is to supportFinland Page 453/5businesses in the difficult situation caused by the COVID -19 pandemic and to re-duce the number of companies going bankrupt by giving companies more time toadjust their activities and costs once the COVID -19 crisis persists.4. Restaurants were granted grants for re -employment and compensation for restrict-ing their activities.5. The State supported cargo vessels operating in the Baltic Sea by granting guaran-tees.The Ministry of Employment and the Economy launched a wide -ranging eval uation of covid -19 aid, which assesses, among other things, the effectiveness of the aid policy (completed in2022) and the effectiveness of the aid (completed in 2024).9. promote and support a restart where companies, business and jobs are secured.Due to COVID -19 pandemic Business Finland and the Centres for Economic Development,Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) distributed coronavirus subsidies to companies(including SMEs) for development activities. With these subsidies, comp anies were able toexplore their development needs and implement their development projects .18. enforce the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digitalinfrastructure as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, educ ation,research and in administration, along with the goal of increasing cross -border co-operation as well as further cross -border contacts .The Government has launched an Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme to speed up digitali-sation of business. The programme promotes the development and introduction of artificialintelligence (AI) and other digital technologies in companies, and it focuses on several sec-tors in industry and the service sector.21. disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting the employment and inte-gration of special groups of immigrants which deserve particular protection;The Government of PM Sanna Marin has on 17 June 2021 given a Report of the Finnish Gov-ernment on the need for a reform in integration promotion. In their current form, integrationmeasures do not reach all immigrants well enough. The Government report presents a broadrange of measures that aim to:• Accelerate immigrants’ paths to work and education.• Promote the inclusion of immigrants in working li fe and more broadly in society.• Support especially immigrant women, and thereby their families, in settling in Finland.• Increase receptiveness in the workplace and prevent polarisation in society22. acknowledge the multifaceted character of integration (i.e. labour market, lan-guage, social relationships, cultural accommodation etc.). This understandingshould also be put into practice at the legislative and policy levels;The multifaceted character is acknowledged in the present Act on the Promotion of ImmigrantIntegration. According to the Act local -level authorities shall develop integr ation as multi -sectoral cooperation. A municipality or more than one municipality jointly shall draw up anintegration programme for promoting integration and for strengthening multi -sectoral coop-eration. The multif aceted character is acknowledged in polic ies, including the Report of theFinnish Government on the need for a reform in integration promotion.Finland Page 464/523. streamline public policies and allocate resources in order to facilitate desirableworking conditions among the NGOs and informal networks supporting socialand labour market integration of migrants;The integration partnership programme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employmentsupports the effectiveness of the work promoting integration and social inclusion by bringingtogether op erators and increasing multi -professional and diverse cooperation. The partner-ship programme builds a national, open network of operators involved in the work related tothe integration and social inclusion. In 2021, work has started to establish regional partner-ship networks .24. acknowledge the importance of civil society and NGOs in facilitating integration,where sport associations are one example of organisations that play an im-portant, unifying role in integration helping people to get introduced to the so-ciety, activated, and bringing together new groups of people;The role of NGOs has been acknowledged both in the Act on the Promotion of Immigr antIntegration, integration partnership programme as well as the Report of the Finnish Govern-ment on the need for a reform in integration promotion .25. promote good relations within society and promote diversity. Such measuresmay involve information campaigns, organisation of events and housing policythat promotes diverse residential areas;Promoting good relations is included in the Act on the Pr omotion of Immigrant Integration,integration partnership programme as well as the Report of the Finnish Government on theneed for a reform in integration promotion. The Government of PM Sanna Marin will alsoprepare an Action programme against racism and for good relations .26. acknowledge the concept of three -way integration in legislation and policies.Formulate policies that enhance each aspect of the three -way integrationmodel’s ability to function;The Finnish Integration Act includes the concep t of two way integration. The three way ap-proach is taken into account, among others, in the promotion of Labour Migration where astrong focus is made on the ethical aspects of recruiting from third countries.29. regarding the worldwide developments in spring 2020, and considering that theCOVID -19 pandemic as well as the consequences and burdens caused by theCOVID -19 pandemic have necessitated a temporary reappraisal of our responseto other problems and challenges, take into account th e following principlesa. The issue of migration and integration must continue to be given highpriority;b. Migration in the Baltic Sea region, in Europe and worldwide, is and re-mains an essential issue for countries and continues to give rise tounpreced ented humanitarian, economic, security and political chal-lenges;c. International cooperation - including in the Baltic Sea region - must befurther strengthened in this policy area;Finland Page 475/5d. The issue of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups needs con-tinued political focus;The services given to Unaccompanied minors have been developed. After Care has been ex-tended from 21 years to 25 years in 2000.30. maintain and further develop, the institutions and projects that have been setup in many countries in the Baltic Sea Region as a result of the sharp increasein refugee numbers in 2015 and 2016 and which have made a decisive contri-bution to improved integration, in order to better respond to future needs in thisarea;Services have been develop and co ntinue to be developed in Finland.31. maintain and extend the support for local authorities from the state level in thistask, because in the long term, they bear the main responsibility in the contextof sustainable integration and implem entation of long -term integrationmeasures ;Municipalities are supported both through knowledge and resources. Municipalities are reim-bursed for the costs arising from the arranging of the measures referre d to in the Act .Finland Page 48Statements of Ministry of Environment of FinlandRegarding Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans for Future Generations,to10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation and the sustainable use ofthe Baltic Sea in order to protect marine biodiversity;The Velmu (The Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Diversity) project hascontinued its activities by collecti ng information on underwater nature and processing theinformation into usable form and promoting its widespread use.13. ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystemin line with the requirements of the Espoo Convent ion and again reaffirm that largescale projects that have a major impact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea regionhave to comply with the obligations arising from relevant international treatiesand conventions, including the Espoo Convention and the Helsin ki Convention;Finland has applied the Espoo Convention to all projects with a transboundary context as definedby the Convention. It also takes actively part into the cooperation of the Baltic Sea countries’subregion under the Espoo Convention.14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in light of the socio -political andeconomic consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic – pursues the objectives ofexplicitly considering aspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate andbiodiversity as well as suitability in the updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan andfuture HELCOM decisions and - in accordance with the calls for action of the BSPC- not only to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan but also to visibly accelerate andintensify its implementation, to work together to the best of all abilities to furtherreduce the excessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to strive for anotherMinisterial Meeting in 2021;Finland has actively participated in finalizing the update of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and haslead the work on preparing the HELCOM Nutrient Recycling Strategy. Ministry of the Environmenthas organised three stakeholder meetings to inform and collect views on the updating of theBSAP nationally. Finland has consiste ntly stressed the importance of the s trong and sharedknowledge basis which has allowed HELCOM to agree on common targets for the protection ofthe Baltic Sea as well as the credible implementation and ownership of agreed actions. In April2021, the Finnish government agreed on a programme aiming at deleting the agriculturalHELCOM Hot Spot of the Archipelago Sea by 2027. The programme has initiated a project thathas analysed the HELCOM criteria for deletion of a hot spot and sufficiency of existing mea sures,and which will continue by drafting a roadmap for the deletion of the hot spot by June 2022 .Finland Page 49Statement of Ministry of Defence of Finland11. continue to recogn ise the Baltic Sea as international waters, with freedom ofnavigation and concerning the protection of the environment;The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference resolution called on governments in the Baltic SeaRegion, the CBSS and the EU to continue to recognize the Baltic Sea as international waters,with freedom of navigation. With regard to freedom of navigation, The Fi nnish Ministry ofDefence would like to underline the importance of maritime security and promote cooperation inthis field in accordance with the EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS). The EUMSS definesmaritime security as ‘a state of affairs of the glob al maritime domain, in which international lawand national law are enforced, freedom of navigation is guaranteed and citizens, infrastructure,transport, the environment and marine resources are protected’.The Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces cooperate closely with our EU partners and allinvolved parties to promote and ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security. Weunderline the importance of this also in the wider context of the Baltic Sea where maritimesecurity cooperation is a vita l aspect of safeguarding the environment for future generations.Hamburg Page 50HamburgHamburg Page 511Statement by the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburgon implementing the Resolution of the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceThe Senate welcomes the goals formulated in the Resolution. To the extent that the pointslisted fall within the remit of the Senate, they are in many respects already current practice.In the following statement, the Senate takes a position on the measur es that are standardadministrative practice in Hamburg and are in line with the concerns of the Baltic Seaparliamentarians:Regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID -19 Pandemic and itsConsequences:With regard to paragraph 1 of the Res olution:As a joint regional policy of the four partners, the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland, the NorthernDimension (ND) is planned and implemented by the German federal government to mitigatethe consequences of the C OVID- 19 pandemic as effectively as possible.With regard to paragraph s 2 and 3:The Senate takes note o f the calls to intensify the setting up of cross- sectional andtransnational reference projects for collaboration and innovation in health sciences .As part of the digital isation strategy for the health and care sector, the Social Affairs Ministryis investing in the “Hamburg Health Harbour” project that has the goal of a joint digital platformfor patient -related cooperation between the hospitals and al so between them and registereddoctors’ practices. This platform could also be of great benefit in the case of future pandemics.In the context of the COVID -19 pandemic, the Senate has put contact tracing and outbreakmanagement on a networked e -basis through the “Hamburger Pandemie Manager“ (HamburgPandemic Manager).With regard to paragraph s 4 – 6:The Senate Chancellery represents the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg within theframework of the further development and implementation of the Interreg Baltic Sea Regionprogramme. It is already active both in national and international bodies and contributesHamburg ’s needs and suggestions from departments here as well as the political goalsformulated in the coalition agreement to the international program me discussion.The topic of resilience was already implemented as a n object of assistance as a result ofexperience gained during previous crises and the current one. Th is should enable aninternational response and preventive cooperation in the event of future events affecting thewhole Baltic Sea Region. The importance of scientific cooperation was fed into the n ationalprogramme development process and thence internati onally.Finally , “small projects” have been successfully integrated into the funding landscapealongside the traditional form of project cooperation (3 -year projects with partnerships coveringHamburg Page 522the whole of the Baltic Sea Region). This should enable rapid, specific and hig hly pragmatictransnational cooperation (1 -year projects, “fast actions” – new cooperation format).Additionally, the education policy area (PA Education) of the EU Strategy for the Baltic SeaRegion uses the Baltic Sea Labour Forum ’s (BSLF) Sustainable Wo rking Life platform. Theplatform’s content includes studies of the societal consequences of the pandemic and itseffects on the labour market. The Social Affairs Ministry’s labour market policy departmentmaintains good contacts in the Baltic Sea Region, including to the Council of the Baltic SeaStates (CBSS). A corresponding review of labour market policy projects that had already beenimplemented and the establishment of contact to partners in the region could therefore bequickly established.With reg ard to paragraph 7:Hamburg and its port as the centre of the north -German economic area – conditional on itssize, location and historical development – is one of the most important transport nodes inNorthern Europe. Hamburg has no national external border with the Baltic state of Denmarkand thus no transport measures have been implemented with the neighbouring country in thecourse of the COVID -19 pandemic. There has been no experience resulting from restrictionsin international travel at the border crossings on the German -Danish border. The Senate hasa great interest in joint solutions.No realignment of Hamburg’s transport policy has been necessitat ed as a consequence of theCOVID -19 pandemic. Supra- regional transport development has always been characterisedby thinking and planning across borders, i.e. in terms of long -distance axes. The multimodalCore Network Corridors of the Trans -European Trans port Network make an importantcontribution to European cohesion and further strengthen the European internal market. Threeof the nine corridors in total cross Northern Germany. Hamburg represents a Core Networknode and is directly linked to the Baltic S ea Region via the Scandinavian –MediterraneanCorridor.An important transport project on this axis is the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link including its feederconnections. Once the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel is complete and the rail and road connections inthe hinterland on both sides of the belt have been improved, the so- called “Vogelfluglinie” , theshortest route between Scandinavia and continental Europe, will become one of the mostpowerful transport axes to and from Scandinavia. The rail journey time between Hamburg andCopenhagen will be cut to approx. 2.5 hours. At the same time, the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Linkwill close the last remaining large gap in the Northern European cross -border transport networkand also form the backbone for the development of the whole regi on.In the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, the construction of the new S4 rapid transit line willshift the bulk of the regional Hamburg – Bad Oldesloe rail traffic onto the rapid transit tracks,so freeing up the necessary capacity on the Hamburg – Lübeck – Copenhagen route forlong- distance and fre ight services and further improving rail -based traffic with Scandinavia.Investment in transport is thus being visibly directed to where it can have the biggesteconomic and ecological benefit. From the ecological and economic aspects, there is noalternat ive to rail as a transport mode when it comes to meeting future environmental andclimate responsibilities.Through the improvement of the Scandinavian –Mediterranean Corridor, Hamburg shareswith its partners in STRING, the political network in the south -west of the Baltic Sea Region,the vision of developing the Fehmarn Belt region into a model for sustainable “green growth”in which growth and jobs are stimulated, the attractiveness for companies and employeesHamburg Page 533willing to base themselves here is increased and high standards for the quality of life of thepopulation are ensured. Cross -border economic cooperation has been and is a daily realityand should continue to be a focus, especially in (North -East) Europe.With regard to paragraphs 8 a nd 9:These paragraphs contain a call to include the economic consequences of the COVID -19pandemic in the discussion and map the local economic rescue and support packages inorder to, at a later point, compare the different strategies and promote a restart that involvesthe economy and secures jobs. These are concerns that meet with broad political approvaland are already taken into account in administrative practice.The consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic will continue to be closely investigated. Interms of best practice and possible learning effects for the future, an overview of theindividual rescue activities in the Baltic Sea countries and their regions is a welcome idea.Regarding Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans for Future Generations :With regard to paragraphs 10 – 15:Hamburg works together with its partners in the Federal Government and Länder WorkingGroup on the North and Baltic Seas (BLANO) to implement the Marine Strategy FrameworkDirective (Document 22/1694). The national prog ramme of measures for the North and BalticSeas is currently being updated. A main focus, supported by the Free and Hanseatic City ofHamburg, is improving marine protection and sustainable use of the seas.The Senate welcomes the active role of the Germa n Federal Minister as the currentchairwoman of HELCOM and the great commitment of t he Federal Ministry of theEnvironment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in the HELCOM working bodies.The Senate supports the Federal Government in the priorities it has set for achieving itsclimate targets and for the protection of the Baltic Sea in respect of:• reducing the pollution of the Baltic Sea with nutrients and maritime waste.• reworking the Baltic Sea Action Plan to take account of regionally important coretopics by 2021 at the latest• including global developments such as the 2030 Agenda Sustainable DevelopmentGoal 14 (Oceans)Regarding the Development of Digitalisation:With regard to paragraphs 16 – 18Hamburg is making numerous efforts to advance digitalisation and implement it across the cityand its administration. These efforts are gathered into the Digital Strategy for Hamburg,published in January 2020. From Hamburg's perspective, digit alisation does not stop at city orstate borders.Hamburg Page 544Under the Online Access Act (OZG), all administrative services are to be digitally accessibleby 2022. In this, Hamburg is actively pursuing the exchange of design and development resultswith other federal states, thus stimulating growth in the quantity of digital services in publicadministration throughout the Federal Republic and improving their user f riendliness. This ismaking what were hitherto unavoidable journeys and contacts unnecessary. Hamburg is inoverall charge of the Business Management and Development (UFE) subject area.Primarily t he creation of online administrative services in Hamburg is supported by theDigitalFirst programme. The aim of the programme is to rethink processes in administrationfrom the user's point of view: the programme supports the authorities with standardisedprocesses and with technical and legal know -how. From the c omprehensible user interface tothe underlying administrative processes, the entire process of an administrative service isdigitally redesigned ( “end-to-end digit alisation” ).To promote digital resources, and in pursuit of a digital and networked city, Ha mburg has alsobegun to open up data silos and to intelligently combine data via a city -wide urban dataplatform. This application and service -oriented “ Urban Data Platform Hamburg ” (UDP_HH)creates an important prerequisite for innovation and lays the fou ndations for the developmentof new digital services and business models. This platform approach explicitly pursues adecentralised line of action: The goal is not a uniform central database, but the standardisedtechnical linking of the city's diverse dec entralised systems and databases ( “data hub” ). Thetarget groups of the UDP_HH are the public administration and its associated institutions (e.g.state enterprises, municipal companies), but explicitly also civil society, academia (e.g.universities) and the economy (e.g. companies, associations). Close cooperation by city andregional players is of central importance particularly in the area of urban data. The basicprerequisite for a strong regional, national and transnational data ecosystem is uniform datastandards. Therefore, the UDP_HH will be even more involved in the Hamburg MetropolitanRegion’s data- driven projects in the future.In addition, Hambu rg is striving for closer cooperation at national and international level andwill work towards common standards in questions of interoperability and data quality. In theConnected Urban Twins (CUT) project, for example, innovative use cases for urbandevelopment based on data platforms are to be developed and tested from 2021 in acooperative project with Munich and Leipzig. As well as replicating these results within Germanmunicipalities, the findings are to be made available and shared with European and otherinternational partners on an open -source basis at later stages of the project. These forms ofcooperation and mutual knowledge exchange between metropolises can also play animportant role in the Baltic Sea Region in the future and should be further intensified.Information security is indispensable, especially for the digitalisation of administrative servicesbut also in general for regular and reliable IT operations in the Hamburg administration. Digitalservices for citizens and businesses are imp lemented in Hamburg so that newly createdaccess does not result in any new vulnerabilities to attack or risks. Existing security provisionsand organisational rules are continually developed, also with a view to current risk situations.For processing dat a used for the operation of Hamburg’s administrative services, the city usesa computer centre at Dataport that is certified by the Federal Office for Information Security(BSI). Moreover , Hamburg consistently implements the agreements between the FederalGovernment and the Länder concerning trust ed infrastructure and, for example, has for yearsbeen connected to the Federal Government and Länder Network enabl ing trustedcommunication from all workstations in the Hamburg administration.In addition, as explicitly stated in the Digital Strategy for Hamburg, data protection is the basicprerequisite for all digital processes in the administration. Citizens have the right to have theirdata processed with the utmost care and in compliance with data protection regulations. It isHamburg Page 555ensured that no unauthorised access to citizens’ data can take place, and that the data can beaccessed in an appropriate form and to an appro priate extent if necessary.In addition, the Digital Strategy for Hamburg explicitly addresses the expansion of digitalisationin the economic, educational, research and administration sectors. This expansion has beenagreed in the Concept for Digital Spac es in Hamburg, which is intended to reflect the digitalrevolution in the different areas of life and society. A “Digital Space”, for example “the economyand the world of work”, is intended to connect topics and players hitherto separated by differentareas of accountability and provide a more fitting framework for the digital lived reality ofcitizens.Innovative strength and start -up momentum are also decisive factors in securing the futureviability of the economic location and an essential prerequisit e for social progress in Hamburg,as well as in the entire Baltic Sea Region. The necessary cross -border cooperation isexemplified by a cooperation agreement signed by the Estonian business development agency(Enterprise Estonia) and the Artificial Intell igence Center Hamburg (ARIC) in February 2020 tostrengthen cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.Regarding Migration and Integration:With regard to paragraph 19:The Hamburg Senate comprehensively implements EU guidelines within the scope of its ownaccountability with regard to equal standards in the asylum process, to returns and to reception,especially for minor asylum applications. The current reform process at the European lev el tofurther harmonise standards is actively supported.The harmonisation of the return process is to be a main focus of the current realignment of t heEuropean Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex. Voluntary return is recognised andpromoted as an imp ortant measure here.Hamburg also supports migrants who are interested in leaving the country, regardless of theirresidence permits, because a comprehensive return policy is seen as an important componentof holistic migration management. Migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain are thusenabled to return to and reintegrate in to their home countr ies in a humane and orderly manner.Hamburg makes a contribution here by providing comprehensive advice services. Financialsupport can also be made available, giving those interested in leaving the country aperspective. The support is mainly enabled through the REAG/GARP programme financed bythe Länder and the Federal Government. Should funding through the REAG/GARPprogramme not be possible, Hamburg will support those interested in leaving the country fromstate funds.Please see also the answer regarding paragraphs 16 –18.With regard to paragraph 20:The network of ESF Managing Authorities in the Baltic Sea Region agreed in its November2019 meeting in Tampere, Finland, to strengthen multinational cooperation and coordinationas a fundamental focus of cooperation in the 2021 –2027 fundi ng period in order to balancelabour shortages and labour surpluses. Representatives of the Baltic Sea Network will also beHamburg Page 566involved in the Community of Practice “Employment, Education and Skills ” on transnationalcooperation in the ESF at EU level.Within the framework of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region the education policy area(PA Education) additionally plans to implement a new flagship on the topic of “Integration”.This will address the integration of migrants into the labour market. The new flagship will alsoaddress the shared labour market and mobility of labour. A suitable Flagship Leader iscurrently being sought.With regard to paragraphs 21 and 22In “W.I.R- work and integrat ion for refugees ” Hamburg has developed an effective , cross -jurisdiction cooperation model for integrating refugees into the labour market. As a result of theSkilled Workers Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz ), and following five years ofpractical application, this cooperation model is to be combined with other remits within theframework of the new “Hamburg Welcome Center” and extended to include among other simmigrant groups with comparable difficulties in ac cessing the German labour market. Theservice is also aimed at EU citizens. In future, the integration of immigrant and migrant womeninto the labour market is to be supported more strongly.At the legislative level the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic Cit y of Hamburg continues toadvocate that access to the language programmes provided by the Federal Government(integration courses, etc.), which is central to integration, be made possible for other immigrantgroups as standard.Language programmes in the federal states are important components in increasing theopportunities for participation and integration in employment and training for migrants andrefugees. Creating a framework that facilitates learning of the respective national languagesshould theref ore be promoted and supported at all political levels.Language programmes for adults play a central role in integration policies in Hamburg. Theguideline for action in Hamburg continues to be to give refugees a chance early on to learn thelanguage and thus to participate in society and to open up prospects for them on the labourmarket (cf. 2017 Integration Concept).For that reason, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg supplements the federa l languageprogramme (integration courses, occu pation- related language programmes – vocationallanguage training) implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)through independent providers , and which is only open to some of the immigrants, with its owntargeted and needs -based pr ogrammes. Among other things, referral to the language courseshas been considerably accelerated and improved – capacity has been increased.Examples of this are the State of Hamburg ’s German Courses for Refugees Programme(Landesprogramm Deutschkurse für Flüchtlinge ) and discussion groups run by volunteers thatput what has been learned into practice.With regard to paragraph 23:The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg provides sustainable support to non -governmentalorganisations, bodies and initiatives through financial project funding and co -financing withinthe framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) and the federal programme Integrationthrough Qualification (IQ).Hamburg Page 577With regard to paragraph 24:Since 2015, Hamburg has created an exchang e and networking platform for players from civilsociety, administration and politics in the form of the Refugee Assistance Forum (ForumFlüchtlingshilfe ). In addition to a major annual event, there are nine dialogue forums thatprovide information on vari ous topics and facilitate exchange. In addition to providinginformation and establishing cooperation, this also demonstrates the appreciation of the Freeand Hanseatic City of Hamburg for the commitment of civil society, which makes a significantcontribu tion to the successful integration of refugees. The 2020 coalition agreement stipulatesthat the Refugee Assistance Forum should be continued.It was decided to further develop the Refugee Assistance Forum and to open up its programmeto all voluntary sector projects and initiatives through the Hamburg Engagement Strategy(Document 21/19311) . This reflects the development of refugee assistance from acute aid tolong- term integration into society.Civil society initiatives are also sup ported by the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Hamburge.V.’s project Empowerment of Migrant Organisations (MSO), which is funded by the SocialAffairs Ministry . In this project, migrant organisations receive training on topics such asfounding an associati on, public relations, fund -raising or project management and receiveadvice on project design and project application s.Sports clubs make an important contribution to the integration of migrants into society and tosocial cohesion. The topic of integratio n is an important component in the implementation ofthe goal “HAMBURGmachtSTARK” , which is laid down in the Decade Strategy for Sport.Sustainable integration work goes beyond simply promoting sport s activit y by refugees andpeople with a migration backgr ound. It leads to a process of change in the sports club s thataffects everyone involved.The Senate provides funds for integration measures to the Hamburg Sports Federation (HSB)and the Hamburg Football Association through the Sports Promotion Agreement(Sportfördervertrag) so that they can provide targeted support for integration measures byorganised sport. The Integration Through Sport programme of the German Olympic SportsConfederation, which is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in coo peration withthe Federal Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Home Affairs and implemented by theHSB at the federal state level, plays a central role in this.A further project, “Welcome to Sport” (Willkommen in Sport), has been initiated by the HSBand is financed by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees andIntegration . It provides advice and support on the intercultural opening up o f sportsassociations.In Hamburg there are about 27 support clubs (Stützpunktvereine) that ar e particularlycommitted to furthering integration. In addition, numerous practical sports opportunities andadvice processes dealing with the topics described above take place in the clubs. One focusof the HSB’ s endeavours is the sport s involvement of gi rls and women with a migrationbackground, who are statistically less well represented in sport.With regard to paragraph 25:With its 2013 Integration Concept , the Hamburg Senate already set the goal that “everyonebelongs to our society and should be able to participate fully in all areas of life in Hamburg ”.The Senate reaffirmed this guiding principle when it updated the concept in 2017. The coreelements of this policy are the intercultural opening up of the state and its services, theHamburg Page 588reduction of discrimination and thus the maintenance of equal participation opportunities forpeople with and without a migration background.“Diversity” is recognised as a resource in the Integration Concept . To ensure good relations ina diverse society, personal con tacts are necessary among other things. It is only throughmeetings, exchanges and dialogue that mutual prejudices and uncertainty can be broken downand mutual trust strengthened . The 2017 Integration Concept contains numerous examples ofsuch opportunities for encounter at the district level. In this regard, reference should also bemade to the Refugee Assistance Forum (see answer to paragraph 24).The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg strengthens the diversity of neighbourhoods andresidential areas to a high degree through the cooperative housing policy of the Senate, thedistricts and the housing industry and through the promotion of social housing. With Hamburg ’sthree -way mix of housing projects – one third subsidised housing, one third privately fi nancedrental housing, one third owner -occupied housing – housing is created for every target groupin Hamburg in respect of sustainable neighbourhood development with a good social mix andstable neighbourhoods. Within the framework of housing promotion, Hamburg supports theconstruction of price -linked housing for low -income households throughout the city.Cooperation agreements with housing companies to provide publicly subsidised housing tothose seeking housing and to households in acute hou sing need ensure thrivingneighbourhood development through balanced occupancy of the housing stock.Supplemented by the involvement of joint building ventures, which often also have anintegrative and activating effect with their projects in the neighbou rhood, a diverse range ofhousing is created within individual neighbourhoods and the city as a whole. Furthermore, theurban development projects are accompanied by intensive participatory processes.Important contributions to integration are made by a housing policy based on social housingand the diversity of residential areas and access to affordable housing. In this context, specialattention should be paid to people who cannot provide for themselves in Hamburg ’s tighthousing market. These “ household s in urgent housing need ” receive special support by beingplaced in publicly subsidised housing. This also includes refugees who are in accommodationunder public law and have a longer -term residence perspective.More than 18,000 new public housing units were completed between 2011 and 2019. If theseare set in relation to the approximately 47,000 completed multi -storey dwellings, social housingaccount s for about 38 per cent.The number of completed flats with rent and occupancy control has increased sig nificantly inHamburg in recent years. Since 2011, funding for more than 2,000 new flats with rent andoccupancy restrictions has been approved each year. The Senate raised this level again in the2017 programme year, since when at least 3,000 new rental flats with rent and occupancycontrol have been funded annually.With regard to paragraph 26:Hamburg’s 2013 Integration Concept not only held the state responsible for shaping generalconditions so as to favour integration but also assigned a responsibility to civil society.The 2017 Integration Concept also expressly emphasises that immigrants must also makeefforts to integrat e – for example by learning the German language and accepting the legaland social order and, with continu ing residence, by a willingness to (further) develop their ownprofessional skills and become independent of state transfer payments.Hamburg Page 599Integration is th us understood as an ongoing task for society as a whole. The IntegrationConcept is thus also explicitly understood as a “we approach ” that encompasses andaddresses all stakeholders (state, civil society, economy). An exemplary expression of this isthe c omprehensive participatory process in the development of the concept, during which morethan 1,000 citizens supported its development in over 40 events and with an online survey.With regard to paragraph 27:Together with the other federal states, Hamburg prepares a report on the state of integration.The federal states ’ integration monitoring contains comprehensive data on structuralintegration in the federal states and is published every two years.The repo rt will be continuously developed in order to identify fields that are relevant for action.Thus, in addition to the key structural figures, the 2020 report will also contain data analys ingthe social, cultural and identification dimensions of integration. The report thus supports theprocess of shaping integration policy.With regard to paragraph 28:The Labour Market Policy Department in the Social Affairs Ministry has long -standing andwide- ranging contacts in the Baltic Sea Region, particularly via the ESF, where it is well -connected in the region. The ESF Managing Authority is actively cooperating on theimplementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and, with two ESF projects, isalready involved in implementing the flagship project “ From School to Work ”. Subject to atechnical review and the availability of necessary resources , participation in a further labourmarket policy -related flagship project is conceivable.With regard to paragraph 29:To promote integration, Hamburg continues to make special efforts to place refugees living inpublic housing in private housing. In addition, the city is preparing for housing situations inwhich there may be an increase in the number of immigrants by advance planning of spaceand reserves.Moreover , the parties of government in Hamburg have committed themselves in the coalitionagreement for the 22nd legislative period “to do everything possible in the coming years toenable and ensure equal opportunities and participation for all Hamburg residents ”. Thesubject of migration ranks highly in Hamburg; thus the Hamburg Senate recently advoc atedthe acceptance of refugees from the Greek islands within the framework of federal refugeeadmissions. In addition, important steps are being taken to further promote legal migration inthe context of skilled labour immigration.The challenges associat ed with migration are addressed fully in the course of implementingHamburg’s migration policy. In doing so, the respective migratory phenomena and theassociated different living and refugee circumstances must be taken into account. Thequestion of unaccompanied minors is an important aspect, yet it cannot be evaluatedseparately from the situation of other groups of refugees.With regard to paragraphs 30 –32:Hamburg Page 6010Hamburg already sets store b y a broad network in the area of integration policy in order tolearn about best practice cases and apply them to its own interests as required. As a city state,Hamburg enjoys the privilege of receiving information from the municipal level and well as fromthe federal sta te and federal levels. For example, the city is:• a member of the Municipal Quality Circle on Integration ( Kommunale rQualitätszirkel Integration ) where many cities, districts and federal institutions aswell as research bodies share experience;• through its role in the Conference of Integration Ministers in a constant federal state -related dialogue that also encompasses coordination on the national integrationplan by the 19 Conferences of Ministers of the Länder;• via the EUROCITIES network of cities a parti cipant in an EU -wide sharing ofexperience and practice between large cities on the development of policyapproaches to the area of integration.Hamburg is open to the examination of further examples of good and best practice and, afterreviewing them, to applying them productively to its own circumstances.The EU initiative to harmonise standards is seen locally as a good and important step towardsthe creation of common standards. It is hoped that the same standards will be applied beyondthe Baltic Sea R egion throughout the EU. Known best practices from other countries or otherplayers will be examined for their applicability given the procedures and conditions prevailingin Hamburg as well as in respect of current legal requirements.In order to further strengthen the municipal and district levels, the Senate has opted for astructurally anchored dialogue with those responsible for integration issues in the districts. Thisapproach creates the possibility of conveying the needs of the district lev el to the ministeriallevel. But it also improves the ministerial level ’s scope for action at the district level.Through intensive dialogue, a transfer of knowledge takes place that enables the district levelto gain access to ministerial level programme s and structures that advance the socialintegration process. Another building block in this process of dialogue is the opening up ofdistrict level access to socio -economic data or the possibility of discussing integration policyissues with experts.As coordinator of the education policy area (“PA Education”), Hamburg ran the “ InternationalForum on Integration of Migrants and Refugees into Vocational Education, Labour Market andSociety ” in October 2019. About 120 participants from the Baltic States were actively involvedin the event. Over the course of two days, 30 parallel workshops with successful examples ofintegration from the various countries around the Baltic Sea were taken up and presented.The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly posi tive and the networking of institutionsand initiatives on targeted identification of future needs for improved integration was verysuccessful. A further aim of the event was to promote a new “Integration” flagship . The valueof such a flagship was clearly underlined by the event.See also the answer regarding paragraphs 21 and 22.Latvia Page 61LatviaAnnexAnswers to the Questions regarding the Implementation of the Resolution of the29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceAnswers provided by the Ministry of WelfareSocial care3. enforce Digital Health at a Distance strategies and projects, which involve mappinge-medicine initiatives bringing health initiatives into people’s homes and enablingsocial care from a distance, where face-to-face contacts can be replaced by virtualsolutions, and increase further investments in e-health – also for their use in any futurepandemics;Latvia's largest home care provider has developed a digital tool that has beensuccessfully used at the provider’s level for several years. The tool, using a speciallydeveloped algorithm, allows the social care service provid er to optimise thedevelopment of a care plan, while providing a digital record of the implementation ofthe care plan and the work performed. This ensures a more effective co -operationbetween the various professionals involved in the care process by coor dinating theiractions. As a result, the dependent person receives a more efficient service, while theservice provider has the opportunity to increase the intensity of activity and make theservice available to a larger number of residents without increas ing the number ofemployees.In co-operation between the Ministry of Welfare and the above -mentioned social careservice provider, it is planned to create a sharing platform “e -care” accessible to allsocial care service providers within the State Social P olicy Monitoring InformationSystem which is held by the Ministry of Welfare. The platform will provide anopportunity for social care service providers, regardless of their founder, to optimisethe development and implementation of care plans and facilita te the monitoring ofactivities performed within the service.Answer provided by the Ministry of HealthIn 2020 and 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers has allocated additional state budget fundsfor the modernization of the patient's electronic health card information system. EUfunds are also planned for the digitization projects of the health sector in 2021 -2027.Labour market6. use the platforms of projects already implemented within the framework of the CBSSto study and identify the best practices of the countries of the Region in overcoming theconsequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures to preserve employmentof both the population as a whole and individual groups that are particularly vulnerablein the labour market;17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personalinteraction in the Baltic Sea Region and intensify cross-border cooperation, especiallyin the case that the possibility for face-to-face contacts will stay limited;20. strive for multinational cooperation and coordination in order to balanceundesirable developments such as labour shortages and labour surpluses; 21.disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting the employment and integration ofspecial groups of immigrants which deserve particular protection;Latvia Page 62AnnexAnswers to the Questions regarding the Implementation of the Resolution of the29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceAnswers provided by the Ministry of WelfareSocial care3. enforce Digital Health at a Distance strategies and projects, which involve mappinge-medicine initiatives bringing health initiatives into people’s homes and enablingsocial care from a distance, where face-to-face contacts can be replaced by virtualsolutions, and increase further investments in e-health – also for their use in any futurepandemics;Latvia's largest home care provider has developed a digital tool that has beensuccessfully used at the provider’s level for several years. The tool, using a speciallydeveloped algorithm, allows the social care service provid er to optimise thedevelopment of a care plan, while providing a digital record of the implementation ofthe care plan and the work performed. This ensures a more effective co -operationbetween the various professionals involved in the care process by coor dinating theiractions. As a result, the dependent person receives a more efficient service, while theservice provider has the opportunity to increase the intensity of activity and make theservice available to a larger number of residents without increas ing the number ofemployees.In co-operation between the Ministry of Welfare and the above -mentioned social careservice provider, it is planned to create a sharing platform “e -care” accessible to allsocial care service providers within the State Social P olicy Monitoring InformationSystem which is held by the Ministry of Welfare. The platform will provide anopportunity for social care service providers, regardless of their founder, to optimisethe development and implementation of care plans and facilita te the monitoring ofactivities performed within the service.Answer provided by the Ministry of HealthIn 2020 and 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers has allocated additional state budget fundsfor the modernization of the patient's electronic health card information system. EUfunds are also planned for the digitization projects of the health sector in 2021 -2027.Labour market6. use the platforms of projects already implemented within the framework of the CBSSto study and identify the best practices of the countries of the Region in overcoming theconsequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures to preserve employmentof both the population as a whole and individual groups that are particularly vulnerablein the labour market;17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personalinteraction in the Baltic Sea Region and intensify cross-border cooperation, especiallyin the case that the possibility for face-to-face contacts will stay limited;20. strive for multinational cooperation and coordination in order to balanceundesirable developments such as labour shortages and labour surpluses; 21.disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting the employment and integration ofspecial groups of immigrants which deserve particular protection;Latvia Page 63AnnexIn 2020, the Public Employment Services (PES) of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuaniaorganised three Zoom meetings to share their experience in tackling the consequencesof COVID-19 pandemic: “Collaboration with employers in the capital and regions,where seasonal work dominates” (organised by Latvian PES on 20 May), a seminar oncareer services and interactive e-tools (organised by Estonian PES on 24 – 25November) and “Cooperation among IT and Services Departments in introducingservices” (organised by Lithuanian PES on 3 December).Cooperation and regular information exchange (on such topics as the introduction ofthe classification of European skills, competences, qualifications and occupations(ESCO), good practices in addressing COVID-19 crisis, etc.) is also planned in 2021.For example, the Latvian PES is organising a seminar on using the opportunities ofartificial intelligence in PES work, but the Lithuanian PES – a seminar on structuralapproach in work with employers considering the individual needs of strategic partners.The Latvian PES also takes part in information exchange among the members of theEuropean PES network on addressing the consequences of COVID -19 pandemic andsupporting clients.Additionally, on 17 February 2021, the Latvian PES (in cooperation with the Chanceryof the President of Latvia, Swedbank Latvia, ERDA consulting firm and technologicalpartner Tet), organised an international conference “The future of jobs in Latvia”, withthe goal of assembling global executives, policymakers and researchers to explore anddiscuss the main local and global trends affecting th e future of employment, includingstrategic workforce planning, policy priorities, skills development, social inclusion andother issues.1Answers provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs4. continue comprehensive and systemic efforts to strengthen the Baltic Sea cooperationand increase its resilience in a changing world. These steps may include the elaborationof a strategic document for the development of the Baltic Sea Region by 2030;assessment on how meetings of Heads of Government of the Baltic Sea countries couldresume; establishment of streamlined vertical cooperation in the region that wouldembrace national, regional and municipal levels;Latvia participates in the process led by the Lithuanian presidency of the CBSS toelaborate “A Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2030” (“Vilnius II”). The vision ofthe document is making the region as one of the most sustainable, prosperous,innovative and competitive regions in the world.Answers provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and RegionalDevelopment5. continue political dialogue and practical cooperation within the framework of theNorthern Dimension Policy and its partnerships; put forward the implementation ofcross-border cooperation programmes between the EU member states and Russia aswell as the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, and actively engage in developing1 More information about the conference available at:https://www.futureofjobs.lv/?fbclid=IwAR1uqS7PC51i6q1XLVaw9cI2C1sG8kR -4b2eqKb5hgZ_1ykMbDfjvx81mbULatvia Page 64Annexthe new generation of these programmes for the period of 2021 -2027; encouragebroader involvement of all partners in various formats of cooperation in the Baltic Searegion.Cooperation with the authorities responsible for the programmes and Member States /Russia has been initiated and to ensure the implementation of cross -border cooperationprogrammes between the EU Member States and Russia, as well as the Interreg BalticSea Region programme. The preparation process in developing the new programmesfor the period of 2021 - 2027 started in 2019, and was actively continued in 2020 - 2021.It has resulted in agreement on thematic framewo rk for future cross-border andtransnational cooperation activities, as well as programme implementation aspects. Inview of the completion of the programme preparation process several actions have beentaken to consult relevant stakeholders and public on their views and proposals forframework of the future Interreg programmes. In 2021 the EU Member States will workon the approval of draft programme documents by the national governments, followedby their submission to the European Commission. It is expected that the first calls forproposals will be launched at the end of 2021/ beginning of 2022.Marine Spatial Planning10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation and the sustainable use ofthe Baltic Sea in order to protect marine biodiver sity;11. continue to recognise the Baltic Sea as international waters, with freedom ofnavigation and concerning the protection of the environment;Partly:13. ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystemin line with the requirements of the Espoo Convention and again reaffirm that largescale projects that have a major impact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region have tocomply with the obligations arising from relevant international treaties andconventions, including the Espoo Convention and the Helsinki Convention;14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in light of the socio-political andeconomic consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic – pursues the objectives ofexplicitly considering aspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate andbiodiversity as well as suitability in the updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan andfuture HELCOM decisions and - in accordance with the calls for action of the BSPC -not only to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan but also to visibly accelerate and intensifyits implementation, to work together to the best of all abilities to further reduce theexcessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to strive for another MinisterialMeeting in 2021.The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republicof Latvia in cooperation with the VASAB Secretariat is co -hosting an importantregional conference dedicated to Maritime Spatial planning (hereafter - MSP) – the 4thBaltic Maritime Spatial Planning Forum (hereafter - Baltic MSP Forum).Already for the 4th time the Baltic MSP Forum is organised to bring together MSPcommunity from the Baltic Sea Region (hereafter - BSR) and beyond to discuss, share,learn and develop new ideas to enhance MSP in the region. This year Baltic MSP Forumis organised by two Interreg BSR projects - Capacity4MSP and Land-Sea -Act and itserves as a final conference for both projects.Latvia Page 65Annex31 March 2021 marks an important target date of Directive 2014/89/EU on establishinga framework for MSP, meaning that maritime spatial plans need to be establish by thisdate by all EU Member States. And that is why the 4th Baltic MSP Forum comes alongwith the slogan “Delivering MSP – Interactions and Capacities Across All Levels”,when all countries in the BSR are on track with maritime spatial plans and are steppinginto plan implementation phase, consequent question arises – what is next? MSP is notultimate or universal, although it is based on ecosystem approach (achievement of goodenvironmental status) and interplay of existing and new marine and coastal uses. MSPis one of the essential components of the Blue growth strategy and obviously will needto align with the EU Green Deal and its overarching aim of climate neutrality in Eur opeby 2050.This year Baltic MSP Forum will include important topics and invite prominent expertsto present experience and discuss results on stakeholder involvement in MSP, multi-use and blue economy, data-driven decision making in MSP, land-sea interactions,multi-level governance, ecosystem-based approach guidelines maritime culturalheritage and, last but not least, climate change and MSP.The 4th Baltic MSP Forum will take place on 1 and 2 June 2021, more informationavailable at http://www.balticmspforum.eu/.Environmental Protection10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation and the sustainable use ofthe Baltic Sea in order to protect marine biodiversity;14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in light of the socio-political andeconomic consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic – pursues the objectives ofexplicitly considering aspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate andbiodiversity as well as suitability in the updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan andfuture HELCOM decisions and - in accordance with the calls for action of the BSPC -not only to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan but also to visibly accelerate and intensifyits implementation, to work together to the best of all abilities to further reduce theexcessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to strive for another MinisterialMeeting in 2021.President of Latvia Egils Levits joined other leaders at the United Nations Summit onBiodiversity in September 2020 in endorsing Leaders’ Pledge for Nature2. sending aunited signal to step up global ambition and encourage others to match their collectiveambition for nature, climate, and people with the scale of the crisis at hand.The overview of the mapping3 results (the distribution and condition) of the habitatsprotected under the EU Habitats Directive (including seacoast habitats) in Latvia isplanned at the end of 2021.To define justified conservation status of protected habitats and con tribute tocomprehensive management system of marine protected areas in Latvia is the aim ofthe EU LIFE project “Research of marine protected habitats in EEZ anddetermination of the necessary conservation status in Latvia”4 (2020 - 2025).The seal management plan was approved for three species of seals in the Baltic Sea andLatvian marine waters (territorial and EEZ) on 18 February 2021. The plan suggests2 https://www.leaderspledgefornature.org/3 https://www.skaitamdabu.gov.lv/public/eng/4 https://reef.daba.gov.lv/public/eng/Latvia Page 66Annexnecessary actions in relation to stranded seals and seal by-catch in fishery, as well astechnical management options for upgrades and improvements of fishing gear to avoidseal depredation. It also promotes some necessary upgrades to national legislation,recommends actions for education of society, especially fishermen, a s well as themanagerial and planning actions.15. acknowledging the priorities of Germany’s HELCOM Chairmanship to intensifyefforts to monitor and to treat the problem of dumped munitions, wrecks and ghost netsin the Baltic Sea on a common international approach supporting the existing nationaland international efforts and responsibilities, moreover to strengthen existing politicalstructures and scientific projects, also thus to make the Baltic Sea region become aglobal leader in the field of solving problems associated with dumped munitions andunexploded ordnance located underwater as well as in the field of wrecks and ghostnets.“At the moment the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Developmentof the Republic of Latvia has no special projects regarding problems associated withdumped munitions and unexploded ordnance located underwater, or wrecks and ghostnets. There are legal provisions in national legislation and the Maritime Spatial Planlimiting access and activities in such areas”.16. promote e-Health in appropriate areas with great efforts so that general health carecan be maintained as far as possible in pandemic situations;17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personalinteraction in the Baltic Sea Region and intensify cross -border cooperation, especiallyin the case that the possibility for face-to-face contacts will stay limited;18. enforce the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digitalinfrastructure as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, education,research and in administration, along with the goal of increasing cross-bordercooperation as well as further cross-border contacts.As part of the DIGINNO project Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland have developedand started the testing of the digital commerce route using international ElectronicCarriage Note (eCMR) and real-time cargo information to reduce the amount of paperdocuments in the logistics sector in the future.Latvia and Estonia have connected their national data transfer solutions (VISS and X -Road) and tested the data transfer in the test environment. The purpose of this activityis to facilitate cross -border data transfer in the provision of public services, thereforepreparing the application of the “Once Only principle” by 2023 in the process ofimplementing the SDGR (Single Digital Gateway Regulation). The goal is to alsoevaluate the possible legal challenges and barriers that all the EU countries will have toovercome.As part of the DIGINNO project the Baltic countries have also started to develop a jointKYC (Know your customer) solution. The aim of this solution is to find, eliminate andfight against money-laundering, corruption and direct or indirect financing of terrorismor obstruct and limit cooperation with countries or organizations which are underinternational sanctions. The work is currently ongoing to expand the use cross -borderthe platform developed by the Credit Information Bureau of Latvia. At the moment theKYC platform project is at the first stage “Minimum Viable Project” where the platformwill be given to the first potential users the Swedbank and SEB branches in Estonia andthe Notary Council based in Latvia. In addition to the previously mentioned activitiesLatvia Page 67Annexa feasibility study is also being conducted to link the platform to the Enterprise registersand other national registers in Latvia and Lithuania that will be used in the KYCprocess.Ministers of the Baltic countries and Poland have signed a memorandum of intent oncooperation in the development of 5G connectivity and connected automated mobilityin the North Sea-Baltic Corridor.Latvia is currently working on improvement of the national e -health system “e-veselība” to ensure that the system can be used for cross -border health data exchange.It is planned to implement the cross -border exchange of the Patient Summary andePrescription/eDispensation information with at least three EU Member States by 30April 2023. One of the current tasks for the Latvian authorities is to develop thenecessary technical solutions that will link the national e -health system to the joint EUgateway (OpenNCP).On 15 October 2020 the Baltic countries presented a joint view on the digitaltransformation of the EU at the high-level Telecommunication ministers meeting.Answers provided by the Ministry of Transport29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference resolution5. continue political dialogue and practical cooperation within the framework of theNorthern Dimension Policy and its partnerships; put forward the implementation ofcross-border cooperation programmes between the EU member states and Russia aswell as the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, and actively engage in developingthe new generation of these programmes for the period of 2021 -2027; encouragebroader involvement of all partners in various formats of cooperation in the Baltic Searegion.Due to COVID-19 pandemic, no significant events took place within the framework ofNorthern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL). However, theNDPTL Member States have signed the NDPTL Declaration on the continuation of thePartnership for another five years. One of the priority direction s for further developmentis the expansion of the Northern Dimension transport network towards Asian countries.On December 9,2020, a meeting of the NDPTL Steering Committee organized by theBelorussian Presidency took place, where NDPTL Member States have discussedtopical issues and the continuation of the Partnership work.Answer provided by the Ministry of HealthIn 2020 and 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers has allocated additional state budget fundsfor the modernization of the patient's electronic healt h card information system. EUfunds are also planned for the digitization projects of the health sector in 2021 -2027.27th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference resolutionRegarding Economic development and growth in the Baltic Sea Region25. support the Implementation Strategy for the sustainable Blue Growth Agenda forthe Baltic Sea Region.Under Danish Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and thus alsoof the Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy (EGSME) an online event“Electrifying Potential: Shore-side Power Generation in the Baltic Sea Region” tookplace in December 2020. In this event opportunities for reducing the impact of shippingLatvia Page 68Annexindustry on air pollution and climate change were discussed. The event was attendedalso by the representatives of Latvia.In 2020 under the Structural Reform Support Programme, a project “EnsuringSustainable Development” was launched. Within the framework of this project, a studyon LNG refuelling point and electricity supply development in Latvian maritime portsis being carried out, where the experience of other EU and BSR countries is alsoconsidered.27. further develop the Trans-European Networks for transport in the Baltic Sea region,take initiatives to synchronize toll systems in Europe, in particular the Baltic Seaneighbours, to make transport via sea and rail most economic compared to trucking.Within the framework of project “Ensuring Sustainable Development” a study ondistance-based road charging system is being developed, con sidering also experienceof other EU countries. The aim of the study is to provide an evidence -based assessmentof Latvia's transition to a distance-based road charging system to determine whethersuch a transition is economically justified in Latvia and w hat would be the best possiblesolution. The project will end in September 2021.At the moment there is no electronic toll collection system in Latvia.28. aim to make the Baltic Sea a pioneer area for automatic shipping.Representatives of Latvia participate in the IMO meetings considering i.a. issuesregarding “Regulatory scoping exercise for the use of Maritime Autonomous SurfaceShips (MASS)”.Answers provided by the Ministry of Education and Science16. promote e-Health in appropriate areas with great efforts so that general health carecan be maintained as far as possible in pandemic situations;17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personalinteraction in the Baltic Sea Region and intensify cross-border cooperation, especiallyin the case that the possibility for face-to-face contacts will stay limited;18. enforce the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digitalinfrastructure as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, education,research and in administration, along with the goal of increasing cross-bordercooperation as well as further cross-border contacts.The Ministry of Education and Science has been investing in the digitalisation andsafe infrastructure, by implementing the following activities:• Improvement of digital competence of teachers is set as a priority forteachers’ professional development. 53,5% of school staff have been involvedin digital literacy activities in the last three years. According to school surveys,28% of teachers have high digital skills.• The Ministry has provided support to learners by providing 5,3% of primaryand lower secondary school pupils with the necessary smart devices to solvethe current problem of insufficient technical provision for pupils and to promoteLatvia Page 69Annexdistance learning during the spread of Covid-19. The transfer of smart devicesto specific schools or specific learners is decided by the respectivemunicipalities.• In order to increase the Internet data transmission in Latvian schools by the endof March 2021, a goal has been set for 150 schools to inc rease the speed ofInternet data transmission. “Powerful Internet for every Latvian school” is amemorandum of cooperation among Latvian schools, Riga TechnicalUniversity, the Ministry and stakeholders (“Mikrotīkls” LLC, “Bite Latvija”LLC, “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons” LLC, "LinkIT"/"DatiGrupa" LLC,“LVRTC” SJSC, “Tele2” LLC, “Tet” LLC, The Latvian Association of Localand Regional Governments).• Latvia's leading telecommunications operators and LLC “Mikrotīkls” togetherwith students of the Riga Business School have formed a project with an aim toensure a fully-fledged distance learning process in every Latvian school, as wellas to introduce technological solutions that allow the application of digitallearning content and methods in the educational pro cess that meet modernneeds. The website https://skoluinternets.lv/ provides opportunities foranyone interested to get acquainted with the help of an interactive map, whatand how powerful an Internet connection is currently provided in a particularschool.• the goal for 2027 is to improve digital infrastructure by using EU funding(React EU, RRF, EU 2021+) and to have one digital tool for each fifth pupil ingrades 1-3, one digital tool for each third pupil in grades 4 -12 and to have adigital tool for each pupil in grades 7 and 10.In co-operation with the think tanks of the Estonian Parliament and the LithuanianGovernment on mitigation of Covid-19, a joint article “A comparative review of socio -economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic in the Bal tic States”5 wasdeveloped.The Latvian counterpart is the Academy of Sciences of Latvia where five million euroswere assigned for 10 projects in mitigation of Covid19 consequences. The overarchinggoal is to limit the spread of Covid-19 infectious diseases and to protect the populationin order to urgently restore economic activity and socially active daily life throughinnovative high-preparedness scientific programs focusing on health care and publichealth, investigating new methods of Covid-19 treatment and diagnosis etc.;technological solutions, in particular, developing, testing and certifying personalprotective equipment, providing remote services and using ICT in education; andeconomic well-being of society, including the resilience of the econ omy and post-crisisdevelopment opportunities.In addition to collaborations through multiple international networks and consortia,several bilateral collaborations were utilised for Covid -19 research: Estonian Institutefor Population Studies, Tallinn University, Vilnius University, Stockholm University,NOVA / Oslo Metropolitan University, WHO (Regional Office for Europe, Denmark)5 https://strata.gov.lt/images/tyrimai/2020 -metai/Covid -19/20201111- comparative -review -Baltic -States.pdfLatvia Page 70AnnexIn research, there is an ongoing Baltic Science Network (BSN) project andBSN_powerhouse6, an extension of the BSN project, which aims to providetransnational funding and support instruments to help research infrastructures expandtheir cooperation to increase competitiveness and scientific excellence in the region.The activities of BSN project carried out in 2020:1. A concrete support instrument “LaunchPad” with 3 steps approach to bepractically implemented, tested and evaluated:2. Symposium: the event in Riga, conference and match -making in Riga, May20203. Forum, meeting with the Expert Panel in Tallinn, June 20204. Coaching to support the ‘launch’ of the cooperation projects, not in the form ofevent(s), but as tailor-made support for activities (e.g. consultancy, training,team building, ect.) in August-December, 2020Events organised by the Ministry of Education an d Science of Latvia include successfulinternational online Symposium events: „Photon and Neutron Science in the Baltic SeaRegion“ on 26 October 2020 – online conference (more than 100 participants). Afterthe meeting call for draft proposals was opened. Five draft proposals submitted forevaluation with a potential of receiving financial support for Coaching activities (totalbudget 25 000 EUR for Coaching) by the end of November 2020. Four out of five wereselected for Coaching at the Expert Review Panel meeting took place in January 20217and was organized by the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia.Involvement of Baltic States in the cooperation projects:• Fractal organization of chromatin in the nucleus of a biological cell (Jörg Pieper& CO, University of Tartu, Estonia and NRC “Kurchatov institute” – PetersburgNuclear Physics Institute involved).• Towards a Virtual Human Body built on a broad network of Life ScienceExpertise and Advanced Research Infrastructure Tools in the Baltic Sea Regio n(Kajsa M. Paulsson & CO, Lund University, MAX IV, European XFEL, DigitalHealth Cluster Latvia, Southern Federal University of Rostov and its Spin -offCompany UniVirLab Ltd involved).Answers provided by the Ministry of Economics17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personalinteraction in the Baltic Sea Region and intensify cross -border cooperation, especiallyin the case that the possibility for face-to-face contacts will stay limited;18. enforce the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digitalinfrastructure as well as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, education,research and in administration, along with the goal of increasing cross-bordercooperation as well as further cross-border contacts.Digital transformation of businesses is one of the priorities of the Ministry ofEconomics of Latvia. We intend to provide support that matches the needs of individual6 https://www.baltic -science.org/about/7 https://www.baltic -science.org/launchpad- 3steps/Latvia Page 71Annexenterprises (for example, for the development of digital skills, technology integrationand the development of new digital products and services). A Digital Innovation Hubwill be established, and it will participate in the network of European DigitalInnovation Hubs, promoting opportunities for trans -national cooperation.At the Single Market Enforcement Task Force meeting on 29 January 2021 Ministry ofEconomics of Latvia supported Estonia presenting successful outcome of the pilotproject for electronic consignment note (e-CMR) prototype, developed together withLatvia, Lithuania and Poland.This project went from the 1 October 2017 till 30 December 2020 under DIGINNO ofInterreg Baltic Sea Region aiming for need to reduce unnecessary human contacts incargo collections and delivery activities, raise the delivery process transparency, redu ceadministrative costs and thereby improve the competitiveness of the road transportsector. The prototype has been developed to achieve cross -border exchange of eCMRinformation by setting up an indexing scheme between countries.eCMR prototype testing was successful: the cross-border data exchange model basedon innovative blockchain technology proved the benefits to all parties in the supplychain. This project is a significant step towards the EU Digital Single Market and willhelp solving the existing problem related to the lack of digitalisation within theinternational road freight transport sector and contribute to the goals of the real -timeeconomy concept.This project is also associated with the EU Long term action plan for betterimplementation and enforcement of Single market rules, particularly Action Nr.13-Single market IT systems and a platform for online enforcement.Concerning next steps: on 4 March 2021 Ministry of Transport submitted to the Cabinetof Ministers for approval “Conceptual report on the need to implement an electronicroad haulage contract (e-CMR consignment note) in Latvia”. This report containsactivities and next practical steps for implementation of the e -CMR prototype in Latvia.In addition, eCMR initiative and prototype testing will be extended to other BSRcountries, at the EU level and Eastern countries (Ukraine, Belarus, etc) Creating legal,technical and business framework for eCMR solution implementation in BSR.Answers provided by the Ministry of Interior29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference resolution19. aspire to harmonize the practices concerning (1) returns (2) processing of asylumapplications, and (3) reception standards provided for minor asylum applicants, whiletaking into account both national and human/fundamental rights’ considerations;In relation to paragraph 19 of the Resolution, the Office of Citizenship and MigrationAffairs, acting in the field of asylum and reception, is guided by the most current rulesand practices of the European Union legislation, observing all established standards.5. continue political dialogue and practical cooperation within the framework of theNorthern Dimension Policy and its partnerships; put forward the implementation ofcross-border cooperation programmes between the EU member states and Russia aswell as the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, and actively engage in developingthe new generation of these programmes for the period of 2021 -2027; encourageLatvia Page 72Annexbroader involvement of all partners in various formats of cooperation in the Baltic Searegion;19. regarding the worldwide developments in spring 2020, and considering that theCOVID-19 pandemic as well as the consequences and burdens caused by the COVID -19 pandemic have necessitated a temporary reappraisal of our response to otherproblems and challenges, take into account the following principlesc. International cooperation - including in the Baltic Sea region - must befurther strengthened in this policy area;At the same time, within the purpose of Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 29 (c) of theResolution, the State Border Guard actively and continuously participates in regionalactivities in the field of border security, migration process management, as well as theimplementation of internation al projects.Accordingly, the State Border Guard participates in the Baltic Sea Task Force onOrganized Crime (BSTF – TF) and the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation(BSRBCC) regional forums on border security issues. In view of the temporarysuspension of regional cooperation forums to control the spread of the COVID -19pandemic, the organisation of events, assessing all safety risks, takes place remotely.At the same time, bilateral cross -border cooperation activities with border/policeauthorities of the neighbouring countries of the Republic of Latvia are regularly held,thus ensuring migration control measures at the internal borders of the European Union,as well as, in fulfilling the international obligations of the Republic of Latvia, jointpatrols are organised on a regular basis in the border areas of Latvia - Lithuania andEstonia.The State Border Guard also participates in the implementation of regional projectsfunded by the European Union and the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The m ostrelevant implemented / to be implemented regional projects:1. No. LLI-082 “Creation of a Synergistic security platform in the Eastern Latvia -Lithuania border area”, Latvian -Lithuanian cross-border cooperationprogramme project. Time of implementation of the project: 17.05.2017. -16.05.2019. General objective of the project: in the course of the project, bypooling resources of Latvian and Lithuanian law enforcement institutions andlocal governments, implement a number of common solutions for increasinginstitutional capacity and activation of cooperation on a cross -border level.2. No. VRS/PMIF/2018/2 “Strengthening the Reception Capacity of DetainedForeigners (Stage 3)”. The project corresponds to the activity “Strengtheningthe Reception Capacity of Detained Foreigners” of the National Priority No. 1“Measures Complementing Return Procedures” of the Special Objective 3“Return” of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Program for 2014 -2020. Project implementation time: 01.01.2019. - 31.12.2022. General objectiveof the project: to provide a reception mechanism for asylum seekers inaccordance with the standards and requirements of the European Union.3. No. ENI-LLB-2-269 “Strengthening the Capacity of Border Guard Authoritiesin the field of cross-border smuggling and combating illegal immigrationthrough the development of Cynology Services”. Time of implementation of theproject: 01.08.2020. - 31.07.2022. General objective of the project: to improvethe capacity of border guard authorities and exchang e experience withneighbouring border guard authorities in the field of Cynology in order toLatvia Page 73Anneximprove the fight against cross-border crime. Project partners: Borderauthorities of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus.Among other things, the State Border Guard College implements a number of projectswithin the framework of ERASMUS +, thus promoting the improvement of thecurricula of the border guard institutions of the partner countries - Latvia, Lithuania,Estonia and Finland, as well as promoting the mobility an d professional developmentof teachers.Previous resolutionsRegarding the implementation of the Resolutions of the Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference of the previous two years, we would like to inform that the draft law“Immigration Law” (hereinafter re ferred to as the draft law) has been elaborated incooperation with the public administration institutions involved, discussed at themeeting of the State Secretaries on 18 March 2021, and submitted to the meeting of theCabinet of Ministers for consideration. The draft law has been drawn up on the basis ofthe Conceptual Report on Immigration Policy (approved by the Cabinet of MinistersOrder No. 61 of February 15, 2018). Among other things, with regard to integration,the draft law defines immigrant groups for whom integration measures (languages andintegration courses) will be mandatory. The draft law also harmonises the norms of thecurrent Immigration Law and the “Law on the Status of a Long -term Resident of theEuropean Union in the Republic of Latvia”.At the same time, we would like to inform that on January 14, 2021, the draft law“Amendment to the Immigration Law” was submitted to the Parliament (Saeima). Itenvisages amending Article 9, Paragraph five, Clause 23 of the Immigration Law. Thecurrent law stipulates that the right to employment without restrictions applies to aforeigner who has submitted an application for international protection in Latvia, if thedecision to grant or refuse the said status has not been made within six months and isnot due to his or her fault. The submitted draft law proposes to reduce this deadline tothree months in order to promote the employment of asylum seekers and to maintaintheir professional skills and qualifications, improving well-being and promotingintegration and socio-economic inclusion.Answers provided by the Ministry of Culture22. acknowledge the multifaceted character of integration (i.e. labour market,language, social relationships, cultural accommodation etc.). This understandingshould also be put into practice at the legislative and policy levels;On February 5, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Guidelines for thedevelopment of a cohesive and active civil society 2021 -2027. There are three maindirections in the Guidelines: National identity and belonging; Democracy culture andinclusive citizenship; Integration. Under the direction “Integration” are two tasks: 1)Promote the integration of foreign citizens into Latvian society; 2) Promote theunderstanding of the diversity of the society by reducing the attitude based on negativestereotypes towards different groups of the society.The general principle of achieving the goal of the guidelines is inclusive participation,which enables everyone to participate in pu blic administration and ensures a broadrepresentation of society in all its diversity, that is the basis for acquiring knowledgeLatvia Page 74Annexand skills, expanding national identity, Latvian language, social responsibility,solidarity, and responsibility.23. streamline public policies and allocate resources in order to facilitate desirableworking conditions among the NGOs and informal networks supporting social andlabour market integration of migrants;Within the framework of the Asylum, migration and integration fu nd (2014-2020)several activities are implemented. Implementation of the activities is project -based andis carried out mostly by NGOs.“Establishment of a national level coordination system to provide support for theparticipation of immigrants who have received the right to reside in Latvia”.Within this activity in 2016, the Information Centre for Newcomers (ICI) wasestablished. ICI has five offices – one in the capital city, others in regions. ICI providesfree of charge consultations, as well as psychological consultations and interpretationservices both orally and in writing.Consultations are provided on topics such as: employment, migration (residencepermits, visas), rights of tenants (issues related to housing), family law ( familyreunification, divorce, inheritance matters, etc.), legalization, and recognition ofeducation documents, starting a business (issues related to entrepreneurship, etc.). Since2016 in total 5638 consultations have been provided.Interpretation services are available in the following languages: Dari, Farsi, Pashto,Urdu, Arabic, French, Kurdish, Punjabi, Chinese, Turkish, Uzbek, Hindi, Tamil,Spanish, Sorani, Bengali, Vietnamese, Tigrinya. Since 2016 in total 1184 times, theinterpretation services have been provided.24. acknowledge the importance of civil society and NGOs in facilitating integration,where sport associations are one example of organisations that play an important,unifying role in integration helping people to get introduced to the society, activated,and bringing together new groups of people;Within the framework of the Asylum, migration and integration fund (2014 -2020) thereare activities which are implemented by NGOs and that facilitate integration. Suchactivities are:1) “Support measures for beneficiaries of international protection (refugeesand persons with alternative status)”. The goal of the activity is to promotethe integration of persons in need of international protection into society byproviding training courses and information tailored to the needs of persons inneed of international protection on rights and obligations in various spheres oflife. Within the activity the following measures are supported:- Integration courses (Programme is 20-40 hours long, there are 2 levels of theProgramme available);- Since 2018 – Latvian language courses (Programme is 80-120 hours long);- Events for intercultural communication, co -operation with the local community,as well as cultural, sports, and recreational events, involving persons in need ofinternational protection as lecturers.2) “Development of the use of the Latvian language in public space, includingthe introduction of diverse approaches to the learning of the Latvianlanguage”. The goal of the activity is to promote the integration of persons whoLatvia Page 75Annexare third-country nationals (TCN) and legally residing in Latvia into theeducation system and labour market of the Republic of Latvia, as well as toimprove the availability of services. Latvian language courses program is atleast 120 hours long.3) “Integration of third-country nationals into the Latvian society, involvingthe media in this process”. The goal of this activity was to raise publicawareness and promote a constructive dialogue between third -country nationalsand society, to improve the quality of the information provided by the media,and to make available the content on social inclusion issues for third -countrynationals.4) “Involvement of third-country nationals in Latvian social life, includingsupport for the participation of vulnerable persons (women, children, theelderly) and beneficiaries of international protection in the activities ”. Thegoal of the activity is to promote inclusion in Latvian society of persons whoare third-country nationals or beneficiaries of international protection and wholegally reside in Latvia. Within the activity following measures are supported:- Integration courses (Programme is 16-30 hours long);- Activities for practical use of Latvian language in everyday life and businesscommunication;- Contemporary culture activities that provide an innovative approach topromoting integration processes.Since 2016 Latvian language courses have been provided in total for 2543 third -countrynationals and integration courses – for 2555 third-country nationals. Since 2018 Latvianlanguage courses have been provided in total for 134 beneficiaries of internationalprotection, but integration courses since 2016 have been provided in total for 712beneficiaries of international protection.25. promote good relations within society and promote diversity. Such measures mayinvolve information campaigns, organisation of events and housing policy thatpromotes diverse residential areas;Within the implementation of the task “Promote the understanding of the diversity ofthe society by reducing the attitude based on negative stereotypes towards differentgroups of the society” that is set out in the Guidelines for the development of acohesive and active civil society 2021-2027, there are several activities planned:Measures to promote social responsibility to raise awareness of a cohesive and inclusivesociety; Promoting Roma participation and preserving Roma cultural identity; Increasethe integration of people at risk of discr imination into society and the labour market bypromoting diversity; Hate Speech Reduction Support Program within the project“Capacity Building and Awareness Raising to Prevent and Reduce Intolerance inLatvia”.With respect to multifaceted character of i ntegration and promotion of diversity, theLatvian National Centre for Culture (LNCC) devotes special attention to the specificneeds of national minorities. Every year LNCC provides methodological support forminority choirs, folk dance and music groups by organising professional competencedevelopment courses, seminars, master classes and other events such as festivals,concerts and performances, as well as by developing methodological materials. Theaim of these activities is to promote the participation of national minorities living inLatvia Page 76AnnexLatvia in the process of preserving and developing the Song and Dance Celebrationtradition.In 2020, LNCC organised following events for national minorities:§ 07.02. – 08.02.2020 in Daugavpils – Daugavpils International Folk DanceFestival, 120 participants / ~ 350 visitors;§ 22.08.2020 in Rīga – Minority Festival “Red Guelder-rose”, 18 groups / 250participants;§ 22.08. – 30.08.2020 in Cēsis – Latvian Culture Ambassadors8 Summer Camp,37 hours, 25 participants;§ 11.02.2020 in Jelgava and 18.12.2020 online – professional developmentcourses in order to prepare for the Latvian Song and Dance Celebration in 2023and the 2nd Minority Festival in 2021, 16 hours, 120 participants.In 2020, when organizing professional Development Courses for Leaders of nationalminority culture groups, special focus was payed to the Belarusian culture. Belarusianassociations and minority collectives shared information about their creative activities,traditions and interactions of Belarusian tradit ional culture in Latvia. The lecturer fromBelarus – Svetlana Gutkovska, Head of the Department of Choreography at theBelarusian State University of Culture and Arts, Professor was invited and sent a videorecording of her lecture “Belarusian choreographi c folklore: characterization of themain genres, collection and popularization of folklore, Belarusian folk costume and itspeculiarities”.The Latvian Ethnic Minorities Festival “Zeme zied” (The Land Blossoms) is plannedfor 14 August 2021 in the city of Jelgava and will involve a wide range of Latvia’sethnic minority groups. The aim of the Festival is to recognise the diverse identities ofethnic minorities in their interaction with the Latvian cultural space and to promoteethnic minorities’ participation in Latvia’s public and cultural life. The Ministry ofCulture, in cooperation with the LNCC and the local government of Jelgava CityCouncil, has prepared concepts for the festival's closing concert “Saules dziesmuaudeklā” (On the Canvas of Songs of the Sun) and the festival day programme, ifallowed by the epidemiological situation and health safety rules.8 With the support of the Ministry of Culture, the LNCC has b een implementing the training program"Latvian Culture Ambassadors" since 2012. The training model of Latvian cultural ambassadors is basedon two international programs of the British Council “Intercultural Navigators” and “Active Citizens”.Participants improve their knowledge of cultural diversity, identity and social cohesion, which serves asa basis for the establishment and development of various partnerships (Latvians - representatives ofnational minorities), as well as gain initiative for further w ork. After completing the training program,cultural ambassadors use the acquired knowledge to organize events for representatives of localcommunities and non -governmental organizations that want to participate in creating better livingconditions and a f avourable environment in their parish, city or county.Latvia Page 77Lithuania Page 78Lithuania1Follow-up of the Resolution of the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceLITHUANIARegarding Migration and Integration, to12. continue and enhance national and international efforts to reduce emissions of nutrients tothe Baltic Sea:1) Development of a methodology for drawing up fertilization plans (a unified methodology fordrawing up fertilization plans will be developed, fertilization rates will be set according tothe cultivated crops and soil);2) Development of the fertilization planning and use of fertilizers accounting subsystem of theapplication acceptance information system (developed to declare the used organic andmineral fertilizers by fields for better knowledge of where and how much fertilizer are used).The subsystem is important in the application of measures and the modelling of pollution andits management;3) Integration of fertilization plan methodology into the subsystem (fertilization planningonline, reports, remote control options).The first 2 projects are currently being implemented and are scheduled for completion in the3rd quarter of 2021, the 3rd – until the end of 2022.The information system will be administrated by the State Enterprise Agricultural Informationand Rural Business Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture. The projects are important for theoptimal, sustainable use of fertilizers to reduce the input of excess nutrients into surface water bodiesand the Baltic Sea. However, legal requirements for the provision of data using this IT platform andthe development of fertilization plans have to be approved.1) A pilot project to evaluate the possibilities of removing excessive nutrients from the waterusing mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) farming in the Curonian Lagoon.2) Pilot project for the collection of phytoplankton biomass in the Curonian Lagoon with thepurpose to reduce eutrophication using floating crafts and bioreactors for agrotechnologicalneeds or other purposes.3) Project to assess the impact of biological processes (nitrogen fixation, denitrification andcyanotoxin production) on the balance of nutrients in the Curonian Lagoon and nutrient inputsto the Baltic Sea.13. ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem inline with the requirements of the Espoo Convention and again reaffirm that large scale projectsthat have a major impact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region have to comply with theobligations arising from relevant international treaties and conventions, including the EspooConvention and the Helsinki Convention:Update of the Baltic Sea Environmental Monitoring Programme with the requirements to:4) assess wintering seabirds in the Lithuanian open marine waters in a coordinated way at theLithuania Page 792regional level to assess seabird abundance and distribution throughout all the Baltic Sea;5) monitor non-native and invasive species in the Baltic Sea in accordance with HELCOM andEU Regulation No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alienspecies;6) monitor reefs habitats (1170) of the NATURA 2000 network;7) monitor marine litter in the Baltic Sea and evaluate the quantities, sources, nature and otherrelevant characteristics;8) monitor underwater noise level in Lithuanian marine waters to assess the state of the marineenvironment in relation to the good environmental status criteria;9) monitor fish communities in accordance with HELCOM standards.14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in light of the socio-political andeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic – pursues the objectives of explicitlyconsidering aspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate and biodiversity as well assuitability in the updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and future HELCOM decisions and -in accordance with the calls for action of the BSPC - not only to update the Baltic Sea ActionPlan but also to visibly accelerate and intensify its implementation, to work together to the bestof all abilities to further reduce the excessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to strivefor another Ministerial Meeting in 2021:Lithuania is actively participating in the HELCOM BSAP updating process. The BSAP projectwas nationally coordinated with stakeholders and society. Appropriate measures of the updated BSAPwill be integrated into national water -sector strategic documents.19. aspire to harmonize the practices concerning (1) returns (2) processing of asylumapplications, and (3) reception standards provided for minor asylum applicants, while takinginto account both national and human/fundamental rights’ considerations;Since the beginning of the implementation of the AMIF 2014–2020 National program, 5 investmentprojects are being implemented: a Control Passage Point has been built in the Foreigners RegistrationCentre, a dormitory for vulnerable asylum seekers has been built and installed, and a dormitory forasylum seekers has been repaired. Repairs to the Refugee Reception Centre have begun. EURODACequipment was purchased to ensure the rapid and high -quality execution of asylum procedures.Continuing the implementation of AMIF projects, the social activity of asylum seekers is promoted,services are provided: humanitarian, medical, social assistance, psychological, legal consultations,translation services, Lithuanian language courses and children's employment are organized.In order to train specialists working in the field of asylum, providing them with additional specificknowledge, intercultural competence enhancement trainings are carried out.The implementation of reception conditions and asylum procedures is monitored andrecommendations are provided in order to improve the implementation of asy lum receptionconditions and asylum procedures (carried out by the Lithuanian Red Cross Society).Lithuania Page 803In the start of 2021 the ministry has initiated meetings with all of the service providers in order toensure reception standards between different service pr oviders and to ensure their sufficiency. Statereception centres, NGOs and other stakeholders were invited to these meetings in order to establish anetwork that would enable to share information and needs and collaborate in order to ensure adequatereception conditions.In order to harmonize and evaluate the processes in asylum procedures a call for proposals has beenpublished in 2021 to select a project that could evaluate the efficiency of LT asylum procedures andreception conditions and to provide with recommendations and suggestions (also taking into accountthe new regulation that will be establish with the new migration pact).The ministry is in constant contact with the ministry of Interior in order to ensure the interinstitutionalcollaboration in this area.21. disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting the employment and integration ofspecial groups of immigrants which deserve particular protection;To support the employment and integration of special groups of immigrants Lithuania has takenseveral actions:1. Refugees are established as a prioritized group in the Lithuanian employment service, theyhave a priority in receiving the services provided (mentoring, qualification evaluation,vocational training).2. In July 2021 International House Vilnius initiative is planned to be launched. InternationalHouse Vilnius will act as a one-stop informational centre for migrants. Lithuanianemployment service will be providing such services as registration of jobseekers with theEmployment Service, consultations related to job search, labour market information inLithuania, salary amounts, qualification recognition procedures, financial supportopportunities, remotely advising third-country nationals on the issuance of work permits.3. Integration centres of third country nationals (run by NGOs) in three main cities in Lithuaniaprovides third country nationals with mentoring, information, consulting and legal adviceregarding labour market4. A call for proposals has been published in 2021 to finance activ ities promoting labour marketintegration of migrants and entrepreneurship amongst this target group: mentoring,consulting, translation and language training, vocational education and specific trainingsaiming to strengthen or provide professional skills and general skills (including IT training,introduction to labour market legal basis, rights and responsibilities of an employee, etc.),developing a business plan subsidies for starting or developing a business.22. acknowledge the multifaceted character of integration (i.e. labour market, language, socialrelationships, cultural accommodation etc.). This understanding should also be put intopractice at the legislative and policy levels;The first significant steps in shifting the perception of integratio n and accordingly improving thepolicy related were made in the autumn of 2020. The legal acts regulating this integration programmeof refugees were amended and the term of integration was changed to “a reciprocal, complex andLithuania Page 814multi-layered process that requires both the motivation of the migrant and of the local community”.To strengthen individual and tailor -made multifaceted integration process – the new scheme wasintroduced with the same amendments. This scheme ensures better collaboration between ref ugeesthemselves, Refugee Reception Centre NGOs (implementing the integration after refugees leave thereception centre) and other relevant actors (for example – Public employment service). The newintegrations scheme involves: assessing the situation of a refugee or a family (vulnerability,education, professional and social skills, health needs, language level, etc.). Then - drawing up anindividual plan together with the refugees themselves and identifying the needs and the indicators ofprogress (the indicators are based on their individual situation so that the progress could be assessedaccordingly to the vulnerability of a person). In the process of the integration scheme periodicalassessments and adjustments are being made and the progress can be mo nitored through the indicatorsset. As a motivation – the amount of the financial support is connected to the progress made(indicators achieved).In February of 2021, the Action Plan for the Integration of Foreigners into Society was renewed. Theaim of the Action Plan is to improve the implementation of the integration of foreigners and ensuretheir successful integration into society. The Action Plan provides for 39 measures to improvelegislation and processes in fields of different ministries and institutions. It involved the assessmentof problems and identification of measures needed in different sectors of life – education, healthcare,employment, housing, public opinion, etc.24. acknowledge the importance of civil society and NGOs in facilitating integration, wheresport associations are one example of organisations that play an important, unifying role inintegration helping people to get introduced to the society, activated, and bringing together newgroups of people;NGOs and other social and economic partners are regularly consulted on legislative changes and theirsuggestions are taken into account as far as possible. Meetings with relevant institutions and NGOswere held to address specific challenges (the relocatio n of unaccompanied minors; integration ofvulnerable persons; etc.) and communication and networking encouraged between different actors.The Ministry sees cooperation with NGOs as one of the essential elements in the formation ofintegration policy. In the integration process, NGOs are one of the main service providers andintermediaries between third-country nationals and Lithuanian society and institutions.In order to strengthen the responsibility and competencies of municipalities in integrating third -country nationals in their territories, a pilot project has been launched, which should result in strategicdocuments for the integration of foreigners in 6 municipalities. The project is evaluating the situationof integration policy and services (includ ing municipality, NGOs, businesses, education, healthcare,other stakeholders) and is initiating discussions between municipality, public institutions, businessesand NGOs in order to develop a local integration strategy based on cooperation and sharedresponsibility.25. promote good relations within society and promote diversity. Such measures may involveinformation campaigns, organisation of events and housing policy that promotes diverseresidential areas;Lithuania Page 825To promote good relations within society and promote diversity Lithuania has been finansingcommunity initiatives (strengthening social relations between migrants and Lithuanians), mentoringactivities, also – communication projects.Lithuania is also planning to put together an interinstitutional wor king group in order to develop amore integral approach to communication and awareness raising to address the issue of negativepublic opinion. A national strategy is planned to include these actions:a. Communication to third country nationals (introduction to the country, integration supportand possibilities, etc.)b. Communication to local community (story -telling, success stories, the added value ofmigrants to local communities, etc.)c. Improving data collection, evaluation and cooperation with academics in o rder to constantlypublish the statistics of migration trends.d. Strengthening multicultural competencies of specialists in various areas (education, pre -school education, healthcare, civil service, law enforcement, legal services, media, etc.)e. Improving the recognition and liability regarding hate crimes and hate speechf. Evaluating possible impact of mainstream policy, mainstream terminology to public discourse(regarding migrants, third country nationals, refugees).29. regarding the worldwide developments in spring 2020, and considering that the COVID-19pandemic as well as the consequences and burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic havenecessitated a temporary reappraisal of our response to other problems and challenges, takeinto account the following principlesa. The issue of migration and integration must continue to be given high priority;b. Migration in the Baltic Sea region, in Europe and worldwide, is and remains an essentialissue for countries and continues to give rise to unprecedented humanitarian, economic,security and political challenges;c. International cooperation - including in the Baltic Sea region - must be furtherstrengthened in this policy area;d. The issue of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups needs continued politicalfocus;The action plan for the integration of foreigners was updated in 2020 and also the issue of integrationof foreigners was included in the agenda of the new government elected in 2020, this shows that theissue of migration and integration is being given an appropriate priority in the political agenda.30. maintain and further develop, the institutions and projects that have been set up in manycountries in the Baltic Sea Region as a result of the sharp increase in refugee numbers in 2015and 2016 and which have made a decisive contribution to improved integration, in order tobetter respond to future needs in this area;The policies, institutions and projects that have been set up in Lithuania are being maintained andfurther developed. First off all Lithuania is improving the mainstream policies by evaluating thespecifics of foreigners and whether they will be able to reach the public goods created by mainstreamLithuania Page 836policy. In accordance with improving the mainstream policy Lithuania is developing target ed supportto address specific barriers (for example, language trainings, translation services, civic orientation,introduction to the country, etc). This is being implemented through improvement of legislation,establishing necessary networks and working with competencies, launching and initiating necessaryprojects (financed by national budget, Asylum, migration, integration fund and other similar sources).31. maintain and extend the support for local authorities from the state level in this task,because in the long term, they bear the main responsibility in the context of sustainableintegration and implementation of long-term integration measures;This has already been mentioned before, but Lithuania has been taking actions to enhance thecooperation of actors dealing with integration matters in Lithuania. A project aiming to strengthenthe leadership of municipalities and strengthen the cooperation of various institutions andorganizations at a municipal level was launched in June 2020. The project wil l evaluate the situationof integration services in six pilot municipalities and initiate discussions between municipality, publicinstitutions, businesses and NGOs in order to develop a local integration strategy based oncooperation and shared responsibility. There are plans to allocate additional funding to implementthese local integration strategies while at the same time keeping up with the monitoring of the processand providing consultations, recommendations and trainings when needed.Information regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic and itsConsequences, to.On 3 July 2020 the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania approved the plan aiming tominimise the negative consequences of Covid -19 on public mental health (https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/08367971c01711eaae0db016672cba9c?jfwid= -yj5zr00nx). Theplan encompassed 18 various measures to be implemented in 2020-2021 and has been implementedby three ministries: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and Ministry ofSocial Security and Labour. The key achievements:* psychosocial rehabilitation services were expanded, and more persons could use them (942 personsreceived them in 2020)* mental health promotion and prevention services started to be provided in Public health bureausacross all country. They aimed to help participants to cope with stress and anxiety, increase mentalhealth literacy, provide individual or group psychological support. From September 2020 14212persons received these services, 9 out of 10 were satisfied or highly satisfied of their quality.* the mobile crisis management teams were set up aiming to provide help in the events of variouspsychological crisis (suicides, car accidents, etc.). A team of specialists cold provide psychologicalsupport directly or remotely. In October 2020 – February 2021 mobile teams were involved in 96cases and provided support for 256 persons.* Specialists‘ competences were strengthened how to recognise mental health disorders and theirsymptoms as well as how to provide psychosocial assistance, manage crisis and provide remotecounselling services. Almost 5000 specialists participated in numerous trainings.Lithuania Page 847* The emotional, psychological, and counselling support provided by phone, online or remotely forvarious target groups (older people, children and youth, parents) was strengthened. The extent andforms of emotional support services have been expanded. Helplines were able to answer more calls,the chat system was expanded. Also, one common short number to access all available emotionalsupport help lines was established (1809).* Medical psychologists and psychiatrists were allowed to provide consultations remotely.* The national mental health webpage www.pagalbasau.lt was developed to inform citizens andprovide them objective and reliable information a bout mental health and encourage them to seek helpwhen it is necessary.* Additional psychologists and social pedagogues (91,5 work positions) were hired in institutionsproviding pedagogical-psychological services / educational support services / schools .* The Minister of Health signed two orders by which mental health disorders were removed from thelist which prohibits to perform activities related with nursing practice, obstetric practice, medicalpractice, dental practice or oral care practice, as well as the activity of pharmacist or pharmacist'sassistant (pharmacist).* The 8 hours in length online training was created which aims to improve school workers‘ mentalhealth literacy competence. The training is available since 1st January 2021 and by 1st May 2021 1500participants have already been involved.In 2021 the plan has been revised due to the following reasons. First, COVID-19 pandemic continuesand brings new challenges to public mental health. Second, most of the plan measures are alreadyimplemented. Therefore, the Plan was updated by foreseeing measures for the most COVID -19affected society groups (students and youth and their parents, teachers, medical staff, persons thatdirectly suffered from Covid-19, older persons). Also, measures to improve mental health of generalpopulation are foreseen. In total 39 measures are included in the plan. They will aim to increasesociety awareness about mental health, expand the accessibility to services for persons having me ntalhealth difficulties, strengthen specialists‘ mental health competence, observe society‘s mental health,implement specialised mental health services, increase school community mental health competence,ensure help for children and youth, promote older people social activity, restore and maintain healthprofessionals mental health. The renewed plan will be signed by the Minister of Health in recentweeks.Information regarding the Development of Digitalisation, to1. Ongoing e-health information system and e-prescription functionality development project,required to implement better and more secure digital infrastructure, promote cross -border provisionof medicines prescription for the patients and related e -health services. Currently project businessmodels have been submitted for analysis and approval, and a user case analysis and project technicalspecification will be prepared by 1st September 2021.2.Another project “Lithuanian National Contact Center and Development of Cross -Border Services -Implementation of the Patient Health History Summary”, aiming to store all patient health care historyLithuania Page 858records from various health care institutions in one Electronic health record (EHR), and will enablebetter access for the patients and more efficient data s haring between institutions and countries andwill support improvement of e-medicine and innovations in health sciences with better qualityinformation. Project started in November 2020, with planned end in June 2024.3. Lithuania also participating in development of EU Green Digital Certificate, targeted to recoverfree movement and trade in the region, by issuing digital certificates proving COVID -19 vaccination,recovery or negative test result. Persons with such certificates will be able to submit them forinspection and validation in any EU country, and in parallel created verification tools will acceptcertificates issued in other countries. Project tasks began in March 2021, with planned fullimplementation finish in June 2021.Lithuania Page 86Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 87Mecklenburg-VorpommernMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 88Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60381LANDTAG MECKLENBURG -VORPOMMERN7. WahlperiodeDrucksache 7/603820.04.2021UNTERRICHTUNGDurch die LandesregierungStellungnahmen der Landesregierung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern zur Umset-zung der Resolutionen der 29. OstseeparlamentarierkonferenzStatement by the Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Regarding theImplementation of the Resolution Adopted by the 29th Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference (Online, 24 August 2020)In the following statement, the Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reports onthe implementation status of the resolution adopted by the 29th Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference, which took place on 24 August 2020 in a digital format dueto the COVID-19 pandemic.Herewith the Government fulfils the request of the Landtag to submit the respectivereport by 31 March 2021.1The statement only covers those areas, which ar e within the competence of the StateGovernment or are viewed to possess overriding importance for Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.1 See document Landtagsdrucksache 7/5600 from 25 November 2020 in conjunction with documentLandtagsdrucksache 6/4498 from 15 September 2015.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 89Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60382The participants, elected representatives from the Baltic Sea Region States,assembling in online form on 24 August 2020, call on the governments in the BalticSea Region, the CBSS and the EU,Regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic andits Consequences, toItem No. Resolution Text Statement by the Government ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern2 intensify the setup of cross-sectional and transnationalreference projects forcollaboration and innovations inhealth sciences with a specialfocus on the early warning andprevention as well as sufficientcombating of pandemics topromote public health on a highand sustainable level and tomake the Baltic Sea region aglobally leading and prosperousmetaregion in relation to health; The revised EU Strategy for theBaltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) ActionPlan addresses the demand forcooperation in the sphere of publichealth in view of the COVID-19pandemic. More specifically, Action1 within Policy Area Innovation aimsat creating a macro-regional valuechain in the area of public health.Smart Specialization strategies (inMecklenburg-Vorpommern – theRegional Innovation Strategy) undinter-regional collaboration oncommon priorities in this area areseen as the focal point here.Progress in the digitalisation of dataand services should play animportant role in health cooperation.According to PA Innovation, Smartcity initiatives listed in Action 2 couldalso be reasonably implemented inthe area of public health.3 enforce Digital Health at aDistance strategies andprojects, which involve mappinge-medicine initiatives bringinghealth initiatives into people’shomes and enabling social carefrom a distance, where face-to-face contacts can be replacedby virtual solutions, andincrease further investments ine-health – also for their use inany future pandemics;The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern does notcurrently focus on such strategiesand projects.4 continue comprehensive andsystemic efforts to strengthenthe Baltic Sea cooperation andincrease its resilience in a The Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern actively supports theintensification of Baltic Seacooperation. It does so throughMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 90Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60383changing world. These stepsmay include the elaboration of astrategic document for thedevelopment of the Baltic SeaRegion by 2030; assessment onhow meetings of Heads ofGovernment of the Baltic Seacountries could resume;establishment of streamlinedvertical cooperation in the regionthat would embrace national,regional and municipal levels; cooperative partnerships with theWest Pomeranian and PomeranianVoivodeships, the Leningr ad Regionas well as the regions of SouthwestFinland and Scania.The State Government is involved inmultilateral cooperation in the BalticSea Region through its participationin the Baltic Sea Commission of theConference of Peripheral MaritimeRegions (CPMR). In this capacity,the Government is involved inextensive exchange with othercooperation organisations, mostimportantly the Council of the BalticSea States (CBSS). In addition, theState Government holds regularconsultations with the StateGovernments of Brandenburg,Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein aswell as the German Federal ForeignOffice. The Secretariat of the CBSSis often present at theseconsultations.Numerous actors in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are involved in BalticSea cooperation projects. Some ofthem participate in the so-calledEUSBSR flagship projects. Variousdepartments within the StateGovernment support theimplementation of the EUSBSR,namely the Ministry of the Interiorand Europe, the Ministry of Energy,Infrastructure and Digitalisation aswell as the Ministry of Economics,Employment and Health as thecoordinator of Policy Area Tourism.Thus, a number of preliminary ideasfor a Baltic Sea Tourism Strategyuntil 2030 have been discussed atthe Baltic Sea Tourism Forum(BSTF) in November 2020.The State Government supportsthese activities through itsinvolvement in EU territorialcooperation programs as well asthrough information and networkingMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 91Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60384campaigns via the StateGovernment’s Europaportal, morespecifically the Forum Ostsee MV,which connects around 160 regionalactors with an interest in Baltic Seaissues in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.Germany and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ascribe greatimportance to regional cooperationfor the protection of the Baltic Seaenvironment under the auspices ofthe Helsinki Commission(HELCOM). Under Germany’spresidency and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s vice-presidency, theambitious revision of the Baltic SeaAction Plan (BSAP) should befinalised and approved by theministries for the environment of theBaltic Sea states in October 2021.As part of the German HELCOMchairmanship team, t he Ministry ofEnergy, Infrastructure andDigitalisation of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is currently workingclosely with the respectivedepartments in Schleswig-Holsteinas well as the German FederalEnvironment Ministry. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will hold HELCO M’svice-presidency from 1 July 2021 to30 June 2022. The Ministry ofEnergy, Infrastructure andDigitalisation is also involved in thework of the spatial planningministerial conferences within theVisions and Strategies Around theBaltic Sea (VASAB) framework.Cooperation on spatial planning anddevelopment is currently primarilyfocussed on maritime spatialplanning and the coordination ofnational maritime spatial plans ofthe Baltic Sea states, which shouldultimately form a coherent planningframework for the Baltic Sea area.5 continue political dialogue andpractical cooperation within the The translational INTERREG BalticSea Region Programme 2021–2027Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 92Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60385framework of the NorthernDimension Policy and itspartnerships; put forward theimplementation of cross-bordercooperation programmesbetween the EU member st atesand Russia as well as theInterreg Baltic Sea Regionprogramme, and activelyengage in developing the newgeneration of these programmesfor the period of 2021-2027;encourage broader involvementof all partners in various formatsof cooperation in the Baltic Searegion; is currently being evaluated andupdated. Through its participation inthe German Programme Committee,Mecklenburg-Vorpommern isactively influencing the content ofthe future programme. TheEuropean Green Deal, Europe closeto citizens and the simplification ofbureaucratic procedures are thecentral priorities. The financialvolume of the programme has beenreduced. Mecklenburg-Vorpommerntakes part in the ongoingdiscussions concerning thedistribution of funds among MemberStates within the Working Group onTerritorial Cohesion of theMinisterial Conference for SpatialPlanning (MKRO).The INTERREG Baltic Sea RegionProgramme has become one of themost important funding instrumentsfor the tourism sector inMecklenburg-Vorpommern.Stakeholders are involved in thepreparation of the future programmeand strive to give tourism greaterimportance.Within the current financialprogramme, the Ministry of Energy,Infrastructure and Digitalisationcontributes to practical cooperationthough its participation in twoINTERREG Baltic Sea projects:First, the Ministry acts as theleading partner in the project“Mobility and Accessibility in RuralAreas” (MARA). The project looks atthe existing approaches to mobilityand accessibility in rural areas, inparticular with a view to seasonalfluctuations in tourism demand.Based on this, the project aims atdeveloping and implementingsolutions for the improvement orfurther development of mobilityoffers and accessibilities.Second, the Ministry is also apartner in the cross-borderMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 93Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60386INTERREG project “Islands ofUsedom and Wollin Model Regionof Renewable Energy.” The projectaims at analysing the potential anduse of renewable energy sources onthe two neighbouring islands andfurther intensifying the German-Polish institutional cooperation inthis area. The primary focus herelies on topics such as spatialplanning, energy efficiency, energymix and the analysis of the potentialuse of renewable energy sources forthe generation of heat, electricityand mobility, landscape and natureprotection as well as of their socialacceptance with a view to seasonalfluctuations in energy demand.These measures will then serve asbasis for a proposal on an optimalenergy basket as well as theformulation of ideas on developing amodel region of renewable energy inthe context of tourist seasonality,energy efficiency andindependence, CO 2 reduction andclimate neutrality.Please consult the comments onItem No. 4 for further information.6 use the platforms of projectsalready implemented within theframework of the CBSS to studyand identify the best practices ofthe countries of the Region inovercoming the consequencesof the COVID-19 pandemic,including measures to preserveemployment of both thepopulation as a whole andindividual groups that areparticularly vulnerable in thelabour market; The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern informsrelevant stakeholders about fundingopportunities provided through theCBSS Project Support Facility viathe Europaportal and by directlyaddressing the members of theForum Ostsee MV. The Europa-MV.de portal also lists projectsinvolving actors from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This concernsprojects funded through the CBSSProject Support Facility as well asthrough the INTERREG Baltic SeaRegion and INTERREG South BalticProgrammes. The extended searchfunction allows looking for specificthematically and geographicallyoriented project examples.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 94Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603877 work together towards commonsolutions and responses ratherthan strict national approaches,enhance strong cooperation andcoordination across borders andpromote mobility and tradeespecially in cross-borderregions; The cross-border rail transportationservices commissioned byMecklenburg-Vorpommern andprovided by DB Regio AG(Grambow-Szczecin, Ahlbeck-Świnoujście) are publicly availablewith no exception. The StateGovernment has refrained fromintroducing restrictions bearing inmind the need to maintaincommuting traffic and guarantee theprovision of public services.However, in accordance with theordinance issued by Polishauthorities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, cross-border railtransportation between Grambowand Szczecin Gumieńce has beentemporarily put on hold in December2020. In February 2021, two cross-border RE4 connection lines in bothdirections have been re-activated.Since 1 March 2021, all RE4 trainsbetween Grambow and Szczecinhave re-assumed their operationsaccording to schedule.Already during the first wave of thepandemic in early 2020, the Polishauthorities have ordered a majorreduction of public transportentering Poland. Cross-bordertransportation is allowed withrespect to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s quarantineregulations.The reduction of language barriersthrough learning the language of theneighbouring state is a sustainableapproach to promote cross-bordermobility. The INTERREG follow-upproject “Learning the Language ofthe Neighbour from Kindergarten toSchool Graduation – Living andLearning Together in the EuroregionPomerania” (Nachbarspracherwerbvon der Kita bis zumSchulabschluss – gemeinsam lebenund lernen in der EuroregionPomerania) specifically targets thisMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 95Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60388objective. Learning the respectivelanguage across the German-Polishborder stands at the centre of thisproject. The Ministry of Education,Science and Culture Mecklenburg -Vorpommern will conduct an expertevaluation of the project runningfrom 1 July 2020 until 30 June 2022and for this purpose remains inclose contact with the Department ofEducation and School ProgrammePlanning of the Vorpommern-Greifswald district.With regard to cross-bordercollaboration between Germany andPoland, an online meeting of theGerman-Polish EducationCommittee of the German-PolishGovernment Commission onRegional and Border Cooperationtook place on 26 November 2020.The issue of “Chances andChallenges of the Crisis Situation:The Influence of COVID-19Pandemic on the EducationalLandscapes of Germany andPoland” stood at the centre ofdebates . During the plenary sessionas well as in the three parallelworking groups on “GeneralSchooling – including NurserySchooling” (WG 1), “ProfessionalTraining” (WG 2), and “High SchoolEducation” (WG3), the participantsdiscussed the challenges posed bythe pand emic in the educationalsphere.Given that the work of theCommittee aims at the discussion ofcritical issues (such as digitalisationand innovation in the sphere ofeducation), it was only natural toconcentrate on the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic on theeducational landscape in Germanyand Poland at this year’sconference.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 96Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603898 include the economicconsequences of the COVID-19pandemic in the discussion, andacknowledge the need formapping the different economicrescue packages taken on bythe BSCP governments in orderto, at a later point, compare thedifferent strategies; The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern hasadopted a comprehensive reliefprogramme, including the MV-Schutzfonds, in order to support theeconomy and secure jobs. Thus, inits meeting on 7 April 2020 theCabinet has decided to establish an“MV Protection Fund Culture” (MV-Schutzfonds Kultur) with a totalcapital of 20 million euro. The fundwill help educational institutions andartists mitigate the losses that haveresulted from the limitations placedupon their work and ensure theirsurvival.2 The Ministry of Education,Science and Culture Mecklenburg -Vorpommern together with theLandesförderinstitut are responsiblefor the implementation and theprovisional monit oring.9 promote and support a restartwhere companies, business andjobs are secured. For the Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern,overcoming the economicconsequences of the crisis andsecuring jobs are two importantfactors in the preparation of thepost-pandemic restart. The Ministryof Education, Science and CultureMecklenburg-Vorpommern remainsin close contact with other StateMinistries as well as the FederalCommissioner for Culture andMedia through the StandingConference of the Ministers ofEducation and Cultural Affairs inorder to ensure the effective use offinancial instruments designed tobridge the pandemic and to preparethe restart, once the introducedlimitations have been lifted. TheMinistry of Education, Science andCulture Mecklenburg-Vorpommernhas complemented the federalNEUSTART KULTUR programmewith its own Innovation FundKulturland MV (Innovationsfonds2 For more information see: https://www.kultur -mv.de/kunst -kultur/kultur- in-corona -zeiten.html (21January 2021)Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 97Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603810Kulturland M-V), which is designedto support cultural workers andinstitutions wishing to apply forfederal support programmes.310 continue to support innovationas regards conservation and thesustainable use of the BalticSea in order to protect marinebiodiversity; The Helsinki Commission(HELCOM) and the EU MarineStrategy Framework Directive(MSFD) aim at the preservation andsustainable use of the Baltic Seamarine resources. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern stands by the FederalGovernment in achieving thesegoals and supports innovative,effective and efficient approaches.11 continue to recognise the BalticSea as international waters, withfreedom of navigation andconcerning the protection of theenvironment; The Baltic Sea is much more thanan international sea with freedom ofnavigation and environmentalprotection provisions. Thereconciliation of t he economic use ofthe sea, e.g. in the form of offshorewind-parks, cables and pipelines,fisheries and aquaculture, tourismand leisure as well as raw materialsextraction, with the requirements ofnature and coastal protectionrequires the coordination of thesevarious exploitation demands bymeans of Maritime Spatial Planning.Relevant activities in this specificarea are currently focussed on thecoordination of national maritimespatial plans of the Baltic Seastates, which should ultimately forma coherent planning framework forthe Baltic Sea area.12 continue and enhance nationaland international efforts toreduce emissions of nutrients tothe Baltic Sea; The Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern welcomes thisdemand. Current efforts aresuccessfully reflected in theimplementation of the EuropeanWater Framework Directive, the EUMarine Strategy FrameworkDirective (MSFD) as well asHELCOM’s Baltic Sea Action Plan(BSAP) and its update process.3 For more information see: https://www.kultur -mv.de/kunst -kultur/kultur- in-corona -zeiten.html (21January 2021)Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 98Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60381114 support that the HELCOMchairmanship – also in light ofthe socio-political and economicconsequences of the COVID-19pandemic – pursues theobjectives of explicitlyconsidering aspects ofsustainability, relevance for theclimate and biodiversity as wellas suitability in the updating ofthe Baltic Sea Action Plan andfuture HELCOM decisions and -in accordance with the calls foraction of the BSPC - not only toupdate the Baltic Sea ActionPlan but also to visiblyaccelerate and intensify itsimplementation, to worktogether to the best of allabilities to further reduce theexcessive nutrient load in theBaltic Sea, as well as to strivefor another Ministerial Meetingin 2021; The relevant competences lie withthe Federal authorities representingGermany at HELCOM.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern activelysupports the Federal authorities inthe implementation of the statedchairmanship priorities.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern plans thedesignation of Natura 2000 sites asHELCOM MPAs in consultation withcoastal protection and spatialplanning authorities.15 acknowledging the priorities ofGermany’s HELCOMChairmanship to intensify effortsto monitor and to treat theproblem of dumped munitions,wrecks and ghost nets in theBaltic Sea on a commoninternational approachsupporting the existing nationaland international efforts andresponsibilities, moreover tostrengthen existing politicalstructures and scientificprojects, also thus to make theBaltic Sea region become aglobal leader in the field ofsolving problems associatedwith dumped munitions andunexploded ordnance locatedunderwater as well as in thefield of wrecks and ghost nets. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern hasbeen part of the “Expert NetworkMunitions in the Sea” of the jointBund-Länder Working Group Northand Baltic Sea since its foundingmeeting in February 2012. Themembers of the Ministry ofAgriculture and the Environment,the Ministry of the Interior andEurope as well as the MunitionsExtraction Service Mecklenburg-Vorpommern(MunitionsbergungsdienstMecklenburg-Vorpommern, MBDMV) represent the Federal State atthe relevant meetings. The MBD MValso provides expert consultationson the threat of unexplodedordnance for NGOs organising theextraction of ghost nets.Extensive research conducted since2017 has delivered comprehensivedata on coastal military exerciselocations and thus supplements thedocumentation of marine areas,which have been increasingly usedMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 99Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603812for firing practice since 1871. Thisresearch revealed that dud fromshooting practice could potentiallybe dispersed over a more than15.000 km2 area stretching farbeyond the coastal waters ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern.In addition, the Munitions ExtractionService Mecklenburg-Vorpommernparticipates in other researchprojects as an associated partner orconsulting body (e.g. within theframework of the DAIMON project).To this end, direct contacts with theBSPC Rapporteur on Sea-DumpedMunitions have also taken place.Regarding the Development of Digitalisation, to16 promote e-Health in appropriateareas with great efforts so thatgeneral health care can bemaintained as far as possible inpandemic situations; Please refer to Item No. 3.17 promote the expansion of digitalskills and resources to increasethe personal interaction in theBaltic Sea Region and intensifycross-border cooperation,especially in the case that thepossibility for face-to-facecontacts will stay limited; In general, the administrative staffand other actors involved in BalticSea cooperation in the FederalState possess the technicalpossibility, in view of the COVID-19pandemic, to take part in tele-and/or videoconferences with therepresentatives of other Baltic Seastates, so that joint projects can becontinued online. Nevertheless,personal exchange and contactscannot be replaced by digitalsolutions because interaction andcross-border cooperation in theBaltic Sea Area largely depends oninterpersonal contacts.Digitalisation of administration isessentially a matter of cooperationbetween the German federal andregional authorities.18 enforce the development andestablishment of a trustworthyand secure digital infrastructure The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommernintensively works on theMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 100Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603813as well as the strengthening ofdigitalisation in business,education, research and inadministration, along with thegoal of increasing cross-bordercooperation as well as furthercross-border contacts. implementation of the OnlineAccess Act (Onlinezugangsgesetz)by the end of 2022. The Act isimplemented in cooperationbetween the regional and feder alauthorities.Digitalisation of education isimplemented and strengthened bythe Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern within the frameworkof the comprehensive andsystematic Digitalisation Strategy.The Strategy covers both generaland professional education.Federal authorities financiallysupport these efforts through the“Digital School Pact” (DigitalP aktSchule). Mecklenburg-Vorpommernshall receive approx. 99 million euroover five years from the DigitalPaktfund. Mecklenburg-Vorpommernshall invest 9,92 million euro andthus contribute its necessary co-financing share.The State Government’s mostimportant goal is to employdigitalisation in the most optimalway in order to ensure the learningsuccess of schoolchildren and tosupply them with the necessarycompetences for a self-determinedlife and career.The implementation of theDigitalisation Strategy encompassesa wide range of measures.4The project titled “Integrated SchoolManagement System” (ProjektIntegriertesSchulmanagementsystem, ISY) isthe central instrument of the effortsto promote the digitalisation ofschools. ISY is a comprehensiveplatform for teachers andschool children, which not only4 For more information see: https://www.regierung -mv.de/Publikat ionen/?id=22349&processor=veroeff(8 March 2021)Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 101Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603814allows to hold digital classes butalso facilitates planning,communication and the overallorganisation of the learning process.Digital schooling is primarily carriedout through the learningmanagement system “itslearning”,which was introduced by the ISYproject team at the beginning of2010 in order to make learning at adistance possible. “itslearning” isavailable free of charge for allschoolchildren. Its use is voluntary.More than 300 schoolchildren havealready requested access to theplatform and can currently work withit.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern alsoparticipates in a number of projectswithin the framework of the OnlineAccess Act, e.g. the “Digital SchoolCertificate” (DigitalesSchulzeugnis”).As part of its efforts to promotecultural investment , the Ministry ofEducation, Science and CultureMecklenburg-Vorpommern annuallyand continuously providesresources for digitalisation projectsin the sphere of culture. It is alsoimportant to mention the DigitalLibrary Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,which was launched in 2017, iscontinuously updated and serves asan aggregator for the GermanDigital Library in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, more specificallyEUROPEANA and the VirtualMuseum Mecklenburg-Vorpommernwith its English- and Polish-language offers.For more information, pleaseconsult Item No. 5.Regarding Migration and Integration, to19 aspire to harmonize thepractices concerning (1) returns The Common European AsylumSystem (CEAS) provides theMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 102Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603815(2) processing of asylumapplications, and (3) receptionstandards provided for minorasylum applicants, while takinginto account both national andhuman/fundamental rights’considerations; framework for work in this area. It iscurrently comprised of seven EUlegal acts. The minimum standardsfor EU Member States are laid out inthe Asylum Procedures Directiveand the Reception ConditionsDirective. Moreover, the so-calledEURODAC Regulation is one of thecentral elements of CEAS: theEURODAC database providesaccess to fingerprints or asylumseekers and allows investigating,which EU Member State has initiallyregistered individual asylumseekers. This is relevant for the so-called Dublin Regulation, whichoutlines which EU Member State isresponsible for asylum processing ineach particular case.CEAS aims at the harmonisation ofnational asylum systems of the EUMember States, so that asylumseekers are treated equally,regardless of where they apply forasylum. The Qualification Directiveoutlines the standards for thequalification of third-countrynationals or stateless persons asbeneficiaries of internationalprotection.The EU Resettlement Frameworkalso forms part of CEAS. It providesEuropean guidelines for relocationand admission of third-countrynationals or stateless persons inneed of international protection onhumanitarian grounds. Admissionsshould remain voluntary for EUMember States in the future. TheEuropean Asylum Support Office(EASO) facilitates theimplementation of CEAS by the EUMember States. EASO shouldprospectively become acomprehensive EU Asylum Agency,as laid out in the EUAA Regulation.The European asylum policy is stillaffected by multiple challenges,Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 103Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603816which is demonstrated among otherthings by the significant misbalancein the number of asylumapplications on the EU externalborders and in some secondarymigration target states, such asGermany. The current division ofcompetence regulated by the DublinRegulation cannot mend thismisbalance, since CEAS isimplemented inconsistently at thelevel of individual Member States.The events in Moria have onceagain brought the challenges to lightand have explicated the necessity ofa new start for a resilient asylumand migration system.As a first step, the EU Commissionhas proposed the new Migration andAsylum Package on 23 September2020 and thus paved a way for arelaunch of the debate on theEuropean asylum and migrationpolicy. The Package provides abasis for resuming negotiationsbetween EU Member States in orderto advance the reform process andfind a good solution for a resilientlyand smoothly functioning system.At the national level, the AsylumLaw and the Residence Law providethe legal basis for asylumprocessing and returns. Multifacetedconsultations between the federaland regional authorities aim atpromoting consistent practices.20 strive for multinationalcooperation and coordination inorder to balance undesirabledevelopments such as labourshortages and labour surpluses; Mecklenburg-Vorpommern iscurrently focussed on bilateralagreements and cooperation inorder to attract labour force, e.g.caregivers from Vietnam.21 disseminate and adopt bestpractices for supporting theemployment and integration ofspecial groups of immigrantswhich deserve particularprotection; Mecklenburg-Vorpommernfacilitates the integration of personswith special protection needs bymeans of supporting offers in thesphere of social consulting andpsychosocial care for migrants.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 104Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603817Various local integration projectswith the involvement of the hostsociety are supported through theState Integration Fund.22 acknowledge the multifacetedcharacter of integration (i.e.labour market, language, socialrelationships, culturalaccommodation etc.). Thisunderstanding should also beput into practice at thelegislative and policy levels; Integration is viewed as acrosscutting issue. In November2019, t he State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern hasadopted the “Concept to Promotethe Integration of Migrants”(Konzeption zur Fördeung derIntegration von Migrantinnen undMigranten), which covers a widerange of integration practices in itsgoals and tasks. Regular talks andconsultations between theresponsible governmentdepartments, communes and otherimportant stakeholders, e.g. theState Advisory Board on Integrationas well as the Working Groups“Kindergarten”, “School”, “FromSchool to Profession”, “ProfessionalIntegration” and “Social Integration”,allow addressing the multifacetedcharacter of integration in theimplementation process.23 streamline public policies andallocate resources in order tofacilitate desirable workingconditions among the NGOsand informal networkssupporting social and labourmarket integration of migrants; Since 2016, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has been using theresources of the European SocialFund (ESF) in order to support threeprofessional integration services“Migration” (IntergrationsfachdiensteMigration, IFDM). Through their 25locations across the country, theseservices consult, accompany andsupport adult migrants in the area ofprofessional integration. Theiractivities range from individualcompetence assessment,consultations on the next integrationsteps (language learning, measuresfor service providers, integrationprojects, internships) to vocationaltraining support. The IFDM alsowork closely with all relevant actorsin numerous networks.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 105Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603818The Federal State also supports theMIGRANET-MV network, whichallows migrants to self-organise.24 acknowledge the importance ofcivil society and NGOs infacilitating integration, wheresport associations are oneexample of organisations thatplay an important, unifying rolein integration helping people toget introduced to the society,activated, and bringing togethernew groups of people;The facilitating role of sport inintegration is promoted through thefederal programme “Integrationthrough Sport”. In addition, variouslocal integration projects with theinvolvement of the host society,including a number of sport facilities,are supported through the StateIntegration Fund.25 promote good relations withinsociety and promote diversity.Such measures may involveinformation campaigns,organisation of events andhousing policy that promotesdiverse residential areas; Since 2016, the Federal State hasbeen employing the resources of theIntegration Fund to support thesocial integration of refugees as wellas co-existence in communesthrough various local integrationprojects with the involvement of thehost society.Through its urban developmentprogrammes, primarily the SocialCity programme aiming at sociallyoriented neighbourhood and cityplanning, as well as social housingprogrammes, the State Governmenthas long supported measures thatpromote social cohesion on onehand and s ocial intermixing on theother; for example, through housingof families with different incomesand removing barriers on the way toacquiring a private apartment.The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern alsoundertakes significant efforts inorder to promote and support thedemocratic development of thesociety. The State programme“Strengthening Democracy andTolerance Together!” (Demokratieund Toleranz gemeinsam stärken!)as well as its wide-rangingimplementation strategy stand at thecentre of for these efforts.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 106Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603819Project support programmes in thesphere of culture also allow fundingmeasures aiming at the promotionof cultural exchange and integration.For more information, pleaseconsult Item No. 5.26 acknowledge the concept ofthree-way integration inlegislation and policies.Formulate policies that enhanceeach aspect of the three-wayintegration model’s ability tofunction;The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern engageswith third countries impacted byregional integration measures andthus fundamentally acknowledgesthe concept of three-way integration.28 give relevant projects onmigration and integration,including the planned flagshipproject on the subject,“Recognising potential –enabling the integration ofmigrants”, in the forthcomingEUSBSR Action Plan from 2021on, timely political support; The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern fullysupports relevant migration andintegration projects.29 regarding the worldwidedevelopments in spring 2020,and considering that the COVID-19 pandemic as well as theconsequences and burdenscaused by the COVID-19pandemic have necessitated atemporary reappraisal of ourresponse to other problems andchallenges, take into accountthe following principlesa) The issue of migrationand integration must continue tobe given high priority;b) Migration in the BalticSea region, in Europe andworldwide, is and remains anessential issue for countries andcontinues to give rise t ounprecedented humanitarian,economic, security and politicalchallenges;c) International cooperation- including in the Baltic Searegion - must be furtherstrengthened in this policy area; Regarding a)The issue of integration continues tobe a high -priority issue. Integrationprojects and measures are furthersupported with a view to theirproven success.Regarding b)Migration is viewed as a crucialtopic and challenge. The FederalState in involved in variousinstitutions promoting exchangebetween the federal and regionallevels in order to find solutions forpersisting problems.Regarding c)The State Government remainsopen for cooperation, includingBaltic Sea cooperation, in this issuearea.Regarding d)The Federal State views theadmission, accommodation andintegration of unaccompaniedMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 107Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/603820d) The issue ofunaccompanied minors andvulnerable groups needscontinued political focus; minors as a priority of integrationpolicy. This vulnerable group inparticular requires special protectionand care.As already mentioned in Item No. 19detailing the current state ofdiscussions concerning CEAS, theissue of migration remains at thecentre of political attention.Moreover, EU Member States arestill affected by persistent migrationpressures.30 maintain and further develop,the institutions and projects thathave been set up in manycountries in the Baltic SeaRegion as a result of the sharpincrease in refugee numbers in2015 and 2016 and which havemade a decisive contribution toimproved integration, in order tobetter respond to future needs inthis area;The Federal State supportsnumerous long-term integrationprojects and measures. The StateIntegration Fund supports theimplementation and furtherdevelopment of these projects aswell as the initiation of new ones.31 maintain and extend the supportfor local authorities from thestate level in this task, becausein the long term, they bear themain responsibility in the contextof sustainable integration andimplementation of long-termintegration measures; The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern employsthe State Integration Fund tosupport various local projects withthe involvement of the host society.The goa l is to facilitate the socialintegration of refugees and topromote coexistence in cities,districts, large arrondissements andcommunities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.32 take up successful examples ofbest practices in other BalticSea countries, some of whichare highlighted in the FinalReport of the BSPC WorkingGroup on ‘Migration andIntegration’, provided that theycan be integrated into therespective legal and structuralframeworks.The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern takesnote of best practices in other BalticSea states and assesses theircompatibility with local structureswhere the need arises.Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 108Landtag Mecklenburg -Vorpommern – 7th electoral period Printed p aper 7/60382133 establish a two-year WorkingGroup on Climate Change andBiodiversity - based on thedecisions of the BSPC StandingCommittee - to submit a firstreport at the 30th BSPC – withparticular focus on the need forjoint and cross-bordercooperation-enhanced solutionsto preserve the biodiversityinherent to the entire Baltic Searegion and to mitigate theeffects of climate change withspecial emphasis on• the state of policies andstrategies concerning climatechange and biodiversity in theBaltic Sea region;• best practices inaddressing the interlinkedchallenges of biodiversity andclimate change with a specificfocus on the Baltic Sea;• innovations andmeasures to tackle climatechange and preservebiodiversity;• climate changeadaptation and challenges forscience, technology and theeconomy• ensuring efficient andenvironment -friendly transportand energy supply solutionsconcentrating its attention on theenvironmental side of climatechange and biodiversity as wellas on innovation, technologyand further economic aspects; The State Government ofMecklenburg-Vorpommernwelcomes the establishment of theBSPC Working Group on ClimateChange and Biodiversity. Cross -border cooperation is especiallyadvisable in this particular issue areMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 109Norway Page 110NorwayNorway Page 111Norway Page 112Mr Jorodd Asphjell MPOslo 14 May 2021I refer to your letter of 18 February this year concerning the resolution from the 29th Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference, which took place on a digital platform under the presidency of Lithuaniaon 24 August 2020.Norway attach great importance to the cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. We have been amember of the Council of Baltic Sea States since 1992, and from July 2021 to June 2022 we will holdthe presidency for the third time. The Council of Baltic Sea States comprises the same nations thatare part of the parliamentary cooperation. With the BSPC the regional cooperation has got a well-established and important dimension. In a time of increased tensions, it is, from our point of view,important that all networks be used to the outmost to discuss common challenges , build trust andcooperation and promote a common understanding of th e situation.The issues the BSPC give emphasis to in their resolution from the confer ence in August 2020 – therecovery after the Covid- 19 pandemic, continued focus on protection of the environment,digitalisation, migration and integration – are in ac cordance with the views and priorities we have,both in the regional and international context.Yours sincerely,Ine Eriksen Søreide1Norwegian comments to the resolution adopted bythe 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)on 24 August 2020IntroductionThe Baltic Sea Region is Norway’s closest neighbourhood, and includes many of our mostimportant political, economic and military partners. Cooperation in the region acceleratedafter 1990 with the adoption of the Paris Charter for a New Europe , and signif icant andpositive results have been achieved in the ensuing years and decades.The Norwegian Government shares the BSPC’s opinion that the Baltic Sea Region mustremain a region of peaceful and close neighbo urly cooperation, based on international law,mutual understanding, trust, democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and equalopportunities for all.Norway sees a n intrinsic value in the large number of cooperation structures andprogrammes in the region . The Norw egian Government participates actively in the NordicCouncil of Ministers and Nordic -Baltic cooperation, the Council of the Baltic Sea States , theBarents Euro -Arctic Council and the Arctic Council. We are members and active participantsin the Northern Dimension and its four partnerships. Norway – in cooperation with Icelandand Liechtenstein - promotes economic and social cohesion and development in the regionthrough the EEA and Norway Grants scheme . Since 2004 more than EUR 2.5 billion havebeen made available to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia under this scheme .Norway is a participant in several Interreg programmes in the region , and supports the aimsand programmes of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) . Norway and Russiacontinue their joint cooperation in the North , with regard to e.g. environmental protection,nuclear legacy clean -up, management of fish stocks, search and rescue, people -to-peoplecontact, indige nous peoples , and youth issues .Norway is strongly committed to cooperation and enhanced cohesion among the countriesof the Baltic Sea Region . This will be clearly reflected in our activities as we assume thepresidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) for one year on 1 July 2021 . Weexpect a forward -looking declaration – “Vision of the Baltic Sea Region by 2030” – to beadopted in June 2021 at the end of the current Lithuanian presidency of the CBSS. Amongother things, Norway will seek to promot e more efficient vertical cooperation betweennational, regional and municipal levels in the region .The Norwegian Government attaches great importance to interparliamentary cooperation invarious formats, including the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. The Government viewsthe annual conferences as a key forum for discussing the opportunities and challenges facingthe region and appreciates the opportunity to comment and reflect on the resolutions thatare regularly issued.Norway Page 1132Cooperation in view of the COVID -19 pandemicThe COVID -19 pandemic has struck all countries of the region hard , and has serious impactson ordinary people and businesses. All countries have introduced travel limitations andborder restrictions in various phases of the pandemic in order to reduce mobilit y and protectthe population against the virus.At the same time it has been important for us and others to maintain business, internationaltransport and trade as far as possible. Norwegian m ainland GDP fell last year, and theactivity level is likely to remain lower than normal for a long time to come. Registeredunemployment remains at a relatively high level, although the number of unemployed hasdeclined from the peak level . Both exports and imports of traditional goods and services fellsharply in the first half of last year, but have picked up to varying degrees. Norway willcontinue to promote and support a recovery which safeguards companies, business and jobsbased on the principle of “building back better and greener”.In this respect t he Norwegian Government has launch ed extensive economic measures toreduce the negative impact of the pandemic. A number of industries have needed help toget through the crisis. International agreements, such as the E uropean Economic Area (EEA)Agreement, have been important in the efforts to deal with the crisis. Norway has alsobenefited from its EEA membership with regard to equitable access to medical equipment,medicines and vaccines.The Norwegian Government has adopted an exit strategy for the coronaviruscrisis: Producing More and Making Working Life More Inclusive . Economic policy will be usedto help to get people back to work, diversify the economy, create a green future, build skills,make society more inclusive , preserve security and trust with in the Norwegian society andmaintain strong international involvement.We will continue to give high priority to cooperation , exchange of information and sharing ofbest practices within the framework of the Northern Dimension Partnership on Health andSocial Wellbeing (NDPHS). Norway supports the work of the NDPHS in t raditional field s ofinfectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and related infections , and in problemsregard ing antimicrobial resistance . Existing networks and collaboration between ministriesof health and public health experts in the region will also facilitate the exchange ofknowledge and experience when it comes to the further handling of the pandemic.The ne w NDPHS strategy under development for the period 2020 –2030 will focus on healthpromotion and disease prevention, on equality in health provision and improved access toquality care.Norway has high ambitions in the area of digital health. Main focus areas includemodernising the health sector ’s ICT portfolio, including the acquisition of a shared patientjournal system for the municipal sector. A new national health data platform and a healthdata permit authority will facilitate easy and secure access to health data and analyticaltools , thereby enabling better data -driven research and development.Norway Page 1143Since it was established in 2013, Norway’s national programme for welfare technology hasworked to integrate new technologies and services in to the health care system. Severalmunicipalities offer telemedicine solutions for patients with chronic diseases, such asdiabetes. Patients feel that they are more able to cope with their situation, that they receiv emore personalised service and that chan ges in their health situation are observed andaddressed at an earlier stage.The area of digital health offers excellent opportunities for region -wide cooperation. Forinstance t he Barents Programme on New Technology and Methods in Health Care inSparsely Populated Areas i ntends to map out how digital governance is organised indifferent countries and regions. This is a follow -up of an inventory on the use of distance -spanning solutions in the times of COVID -19 in the Barents region in 2020.DigitalisationAs mentioned above , Norway attaches great importance both nationally and internationallyto the development of e-Health services and systems . The importance of digitalisation,automatisation, artificial intelligence and other new technologies will continue to rise, andwill be accompanied by many practical, political and ethical issues that requireconsider ation , including protection against new forms of crime, cyber attack s anddisinformation.The digital maturity of the Baltic Sea Region is generally high, with a high level of digitalcompetence both in businesses and among citizens. Norway supports the work ondigitalisation and dig ital green transition that is set out in the Nordic -Baltic declarationDigital North 2.0 . The Nordic Council of Ministers' vision is to make the Nordic Region themost sustainable and integrated region in the world. Nordic -Baltic cooperation on cross -borde r digital services will play an important role in achieving this target .Digitalisation requires a strong emphasis on e ducation and knowledge . There is an increasingneed for technology experts and people with a strategic understanding of ICT. TheNorwegian Government has launched a reform on life-long learning that will make it easierto combine work and supplementary education, with training in digital skills as an importantfocus area. Since 2015 the Government has granted funding to increase admission s of ICTstudents in universities in order to meet the growing need for ICT specialists in both thepublic and the private sector.We also recognise the need to increase general digital literacy. As public services increasinglygo online, it is important to ensure that no -one is excluded because they are unfamiliar withthe technology. This is a challenge which Norway most likely shares with all countries. Since2014, the Norwegian Government has funded initiatives designed to increase the level ofdigital proficiency in the population. It is a clear objective that basic digital training should beoffer ed to everyone who wants it .The Norwegian Association o f Local and Regional Authorities (KS), Skills Norway and theGovernment work in partnership to provide a digital assistance service, the Digihjelpenservice , which is offered locally for those with little or no basic digital skills. There is also asupport scheme available to local authorities and voluntary organisations that wish to offerNorway Page 1154local digital literacy courses and guidance sessions. So far, more than 100 local authorities inNorway have received such support. Another example is the Seniornett asso ciation whichreceives funding to run digital literacy courses specifically for the elderly. In the spring of2021 the Norwegian Government started work on a new strategy – Digital hele livet (DigitalThroughout Life) – to promote increased digital participation and competence.Up-to-date and adequate infrastructure is important to achieve digitalisation goals. By theend of 2020, 90 per cent of the Norwegian population had access to broadband speeds of100 MB per second, in accord ance with the government's goal. The government has now seta new goal: that 100 per cent of households and businesses have access to broadbandspeeds of 100 MB per second by 2025. In 2018 the Nordic and Baltic prime ministers signeda letter of intent on development of 5G to make the region a world leader in use of 5Gtechnology for the development and digitalisation of all sectors of society. Norway isfollowing this up by encouraging the deployment of high speed mobile broadband in allregions of the cou ntry. New legislation on broadband, the Broadband Development Act ,came into force on 1 July 2020. This legislation make s it simpler for developers to accessexisting infrastructure , such as utility poles and pipes, thereby reducing the complexity andcost of further developing broadband . Norway cooperates with the other Nordic and Balticcountries to monitor 5G deployment in the region, and to map obstacles to suchdeployment.The Norwegian Digitalisation Agency leads the work on the Cross -Border Digital S ervices(CBDS) programme initiated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The programme is workingto achieve borderless access to digital services in order to make it easier for citizens andbusinesses to carry out transactions, such as declaring income for taxation purposes,applying for an education programme, issuing or obtaining medication with an e -prescript ion, or using bank services across borders in the Nordic -Baltic region. The CBDSprogramme is to enhance mobility for citizens and businesses and support further regionalintegration b y facilitating the use of digital services across borders. The goal is t o makedigital services from the public sector comprehensively available across the Nordic -Balticregion. Digitalisation of cross -border services entails challenges at the legal, semantic,operational, and technical level. The national agencies across the region will need to allocateresources to cooperate on addressing these challenges at the Nordic -Baltic level.Norway has strong domestic policies in place in the area of digitalisation and is part of anextensive cooperation and integration effort based o n Nordic and Nordic -Baltic cooperationframeworks in particular .Safeguarding the e nvironment, seas and oceansThe oceans link humanity together , and we depend on them for food, jobs and energy.However, the oceans are in trouble . Collectively, we need to mitigate climate change, haltthe loss of biodiversity and increase the resilience of our marine ecosystems. The Atlantic,North and Baltic seas are all inter connected , and we must continue to work together toaddress the challenges.Norway Page 1165The emphasis and priorities of the of BSPC are in line with Norwegian priorities and arereflected in our participation in and support of , among others , OSPAR, IMO an d the High -level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. The High -level Panel is now working on areasof transformation to safeguard ocean health and wealth for generations to come . Wewelcome the BSPC ’s emphasis on the marine environment, with the ultimate aim ofsustainably managing 100% of the seas and ocean s.The OSPAR Ministerial Meeting this year will also set the course for crucial work that needsto be done during this decade, and many of the Baltic Sea Region countries are importantcontracting part ies to the OSPAR Convention.Marine plastic litter is one of the fastest growing environmental concerns of our time , andthere is a need for a new global agreement . In 2019, based on a Norwegian proposal, theNordic Ministers of Environment issued a declaration calling for such an agreement. Norwayhas also put forward proposals to strengthen existing mechanisms, as for instance the actionplan under the IMO and stricter control of the plastic waste trade under the BaselConvention. Norway is also continuing its development aid programme of USD 200 millionover the next four years to combat marine plastic litter and ou r contribution to the WorldBank Fund PROBLUE . However, we recognise that multipl e stressors in fact affect the marineenvironment and that other land -based pollution, such as sewage and agricultural run -off,are more pressing issues in some places, as we understand is the case for the Baltic Sea.Norway also attaches great importance to innovation and green shipping as a means ofreducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the Government published its action plan forgreen shipping, which sets out the aim of reducing emissions from domestic shipping andfisheries by half by 2030 and p romote s the development of low - and zero -emission solutionsfor all vessel categories. Encouraging the development of autonomous vessels is an integralpart of the plan, as digitalisation and automated processes can lead to safer and moreenvironmentally f riendly production. The Government has therefore allocated NOK 15million to strengthen digital competence in ocean industries. Norway is also supporting thetransition to green shipping in developing countries by contributing NOK 50 million to theIMO -led project Green Voyage 2050.The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the primary legal framework for all oceanactivities. Norway places great emphasis on following up international treaties andconventions related to ocean s and marine areas , such as the Espoo Convention and theHelsinki Convention.Migration and integrationNorway works closely with other countries with respect to migration issues, both in a Nordiccontext and in a broader context involving almost all count ries of the Baltic Sea Region , inparticular within the framework of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengencooperation.As a Schengen member state, we are part of an area without internal border control s andwith a common external border. Our association agreement on participation in the Schengencooperation gives us the right and the obligation to apply all of the Schengen acquis . ThisNorway Page 1176includes rules on police cooperation, judicial cooperation on crimina l cases, visa rules, ruleson checks on persons at the external border, and rules regulating returns of people withoutlegal stay.To make it possible to seek asylum or migrate to Europe in a safe manner, countries mustmaintain well -functioning national asylum and migration management systems. Norwaycontributes in several ways in this regard. Through the EEA and Norway Grants scheme ,Norway helps to strengthen national asylum and migration management systems,safeguarding the right to seek asylum and pro tecting unaccompanied minors and othervulnerable groups.Strengthening services such as guardianship and interviews of unaccompanied minors is apriority. In addition, Norway provides bilateral support to the European Asylum SupportOffice (EASO) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Norwayparticipates fully in the Dublin/Eurodac system, an EU mechanism for designating theresponsibility for the examination of an application for asylum.In September 2020, the European Commission presen ted its proposal for a new Pact onMigration and Asylum, which affects both the Schengen cooperation and the Dublin/Eurodaccooperation. The proposal is ambitious and complex, and a central principle is that noMember State should shoulder a disproportiona te responsibility. Norway supports such anapproach. However, not all of the components of this new Pact will be bind ing for Norway,and we are currently following up the proposal according to our association agreements.All of the border between the Schen gen cooperation area and the Russian Federation lieswithin the Baltic Sea Region. Norway will continue to attach great importance tocooperation with Russia and other countries of the Baltic Sea Region on issues of bordercontrol, combating trafficking in human beings and organised crime. In this respect the TaskForce agains t Trafficking in Human Beings under the auspices of the Council of the Baltic SeaStates, the Baltic Sea Task Force on Organised Crime (BSTF -OC) and the Baltic Sea RegionBorder Control Cooperation (BSRBCC ) will continue to play important roles.Norway attaches great importance to developing and implementing policies that ensuresatisfactory integration of migrants who live and work in Norway for shorter or longerperiods, as well as of refugees who are granted legal residence in the country. TheNorwegian Government has launched a new integration strategy – Integration ThroughKnowledge (2019 -2022). The goal of the strategy is to promote a coordinated andcomprehensive effort to increase participation in working life and society. The intensifiedeffort to promote integration and this strategy are crucial to ensuring economic and socialsustainability, opportunities for all and a welfare society based on trust, unity and smalldifferences. Cooperation and support through grants are provided to municipalities and civilsociety organisations . From January 2020 the County Councils have been given a greater rolein tasks regarding integration.As a follow up of the Government's Integration Through Knowledge strategy the Storting(Norwegian parliament) has passed a new act on integration through training, education andwork that replaces the earlier Introduction Act. The Integration Act is part of a majorNorway Page 1187integration r eform. Integration policy aims to provide incentives and opportunities forimmigrants’ participation in the workforce and in community life. The objective is foreveryone who is living in Norway to find work or pursue an educational programme andparticipa te in society in general. The new Integration Act contains provisions concerningresponsibilities at the municipal and the count y levels , early qualification, the introductionprogramme and Norwegian language training and social studies. The aim of the i ntroductionprogramme is to provide each participant with fundamental skills in the Norwegian languageand to prepare him/her for employment or further education as well as participation inNorwegian society. The scope and content of the introduction program me will bedifferentiated in order to provide participants with content and duration that is adapted totheir background s and individual progra mme goals.One of the objectives of the new Integration Act is for more refugees to gain formaleducation through the introduction progra mme . With regard to Norwegian languagetraining and social studies, the previous requirement to complete a certain number of hoursof training has been replaced by a requirement for the individual to achieve a minimum levelin Norwegian language mastery . The indicative minimum level is B1 according to theCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in all language ski lls (oral,listening, writing and reading).Many immigrants who settle in Norway have skills from education and work experience intheir previous countries of residence. Efforts to recognise and mobilise these skills in thelabour market are important for them and for the labour supply needed in Norway , as wellas for the integration of immigrants into Norwegian society. In July 2020, Norway becamethe first country to ratify UNESCO's Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualificationsconcerning Higher Education.----------------Norway Page 119Poland Page 120Poland1Information on activities carried out by Polish institutionsin order to implement Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) ResolutionAdopted by the Digital 29th BSPC on 24 August 2020Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID -19 Pandemic and its ConsequencesThe Covid -19 pandemic has triggered the need for more and enhanced cooperation worldwide. Andeven more so in the regional and macro -regional context. Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs incollaboration with line ministries and other institutions has been support ing regional cooperation inthe Baltic Sea Region (BSR) in the difficult times of the pandemic. Poland ’s engagement in therevision of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Action Plan, strengthening the role of the Councilof the Baltic Sea States in line with the spirit of its 2020 reform as well as the dialogue with otherregional formats like the Northern Dimension or the Arctic Council have contributed to furtherdeepening of regional cohesion and searching f or the common response to the new transnationalchallenges , including C ovid – 19.Covid -19 – health system dimensionIn the context of intensify ing cooperation within the Northern Dimension Partnership in the area ofpublic health in relation to the COVID- 19 pandemic, both the NDPHS Secretariat and Expert Groupmembers work remotely or are directly involved in the fight against the C ovid -19 pandemic. As aresult, some teams / bodies are less ac tive within the Partnership (e. g. there has been no meeting ofthe AMR (antimicrobial resistance) group and there was one meeting of the prisoners group inFebruary).In contrast, other groups held meetings more than the usual 2 times per year and also additionalconferences were organized - also on the C ovid -19 situation. For example on 17 December aconference “Experiences managing C ovid -19 in prisons and future planning” was held.On 6 October 2020, the NDPHS jointly with Cultural Partnership organised workshops “The Art ofStaying Healthy - Can Culture Improve our Well -being”?The Expert Group Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) and the Finnish Health and Wellbeing Institute(THI) are organising a series of three seminars on the causes of premature mortality in ND countries.The first seminar on the results of the PYLL (Potential Years of Life Lost) survey took place on 24March and looked into the situation in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany. The W. ChodzkoInstitute of Rural Medicine from Lublin was the co -organizer of the second meeting, on 23 April,dedicated to the analysis of the main causes of premature mortality in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia an dEstonia. The last meeting took place on 14 May and was ded icated to the situation in Belarus andRussia.Based on expert group contributions, the NDPHS Secretariat has prepared an application for fundingfrom the ENI East Regional Action Programme 2019 Part 2 for the project Support to the NorthernDimension Pa rtnership in Public Health and Social Well -being in implementation of the new Strategy2021- 2025, which has been approved by the European Commission and its implementation is inprogress – with meetings of a specially established Steering Group.The NDPHS also implements the AGEFlag project (Roadmap to improve the health and well -being ofthe ageing population in the Baltic Sea Region) with funding from the Swedish Institute andGermany. The report reviews the needs in each participating country (including Poland) and indicateswhat actions should be taken on the international forum. In addition studies about alcoholconsumption among the elderly were conducted.Poland Page 1212Poland started to chair the Partnership on 28 November 2019 for a period of two years. ThePartnership Annual Conference is planned to be held in November, during which PL will hand overthe chairmanship to Sweden.In the area of digital health and remote care, Poland had made huge progress even b efore the C ovid -19 pandemic broke out. E-prescription and e- sick leave were introduced. A few months later, thecoronavirus appeared and tele -visits were introduced. Through them, patients can get medical advicewithout leaving home. This is especially imp ortant during a pandemic and in diagnosing patients whoreport symptoms of infection. Depending on the reason of the medical consultation, a patient will begiven either an in -person or a tele -visit. The Home Health Care program has been introduced. It is asystem for remote monitoring of patient parameters - blood saturation and pulse. The programallows for the rapid detection of patients who, due to deterioration of health, should go to hospitaltreatment. All test results are uploaded to a central datab ase and continuously monitored by theContact Center. Consultants and physicians review the measurements and can refer the patient for aremote consultation via tele -visit. If necessary, Emergency Medical Services is called.Patients looking for information about their medical records can find it on the Internet PatientAccount. This modern tool in the health care system is intended to facilitate patients' convenient useof digital services and provide registered users with historical data about their trea tment andtreatment financing. Anyone who has logged into the Online Patient Account at least once and left aphone number will receive a notification that there is a coronavirus test result on the account assoon as it appears in the system.To meet curr ent needs, it is also possible to register for C ovid -19 vaccination through a dedicatedwebsite. This is a quick and easy way to register for a C ovid -19 vaccination appointment.In addition, from the beginning of 2021, referrals are made electronically. E -referral will enable full,electronic handling of the treatment referral process - from the moment of issuing the referral to themoment of realization.COVID – 19 – support for children and familiesFoster care1. Development of an instruction manual fo r organization of work during the C ovid -19 epidemic forfoster care units, in particular care and educational institutions and adjusting them to the currentepidemiological situation within the country. Relevant guidelines were also addressed to familyassistants.2. In order to ensure adequate safety in foster care for all children who require it, the Act on SpecialSupport Instruments in Connection with the Spread of the SARS -CoV- 2 Virus (Journal of Laws of theRepublic of Poland of 2020, item 695) was e stablished on 16 April 2020. Among others, the Actallows to exceed the standards related to the limit of the number of children and persons who havereached the age of 18 while under foster care, and with regards to the age criterion of children underinstitutional foster care.3. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy issues amending decisions on an ongoing basis, allowing tocarry out remote trainings referred to in the Act on Family Support and Foster Care System.4. In 2020 the Ministry introduced support programme for the care and educational facilities, familyfoster homes and foster families related, among others, to the purchase of computers and softwareallowing to carry out the tasks related to home -schooling as well as for the needs directly related tothe measures against Covid -19 epidemic, including additional software required by children withdisabilities.Poland Page 1223The project, named Support for children placed in foster care during the C ovid -19 epidemic , valuedat approxima tely PLN 130 million , was conducted from May to December 2020. As at 31/12/2020,foster care entities spent PLN 114.5 million, which includes the following purchases and supplies:computer equipment with software - 33 698 units; multimedia equipment 17 553 units ; additionally,111 630 persons were supplied with masks, medical gloves, and disinfectants; 1 062 quarantinerooms for children were created.5. Ongoing monitoring of the epidemiological situation in foster care.Nurseries1. The Minister in charg e of family issued a Regulation on temporary restriction of the functioning offorms of care for children up to the age of 3 in connection with preventing, counteracting anderadicating COVID -19 (10.04.2020). The Regulation has been amended numerous times by extendingthe period of suspension of the aforementioned units. Since 6 may 2020 they were opened again(except for the period from March 27 to April 18 ,2021), under the condition that they shall mee t theanti-epidemic guidelines.2. Cooperation with the Chief Sanitary Inspection in developing anti -epidemic guidelines (the MFLSPand CSI published the initial, joint guidelines on 29 April, while on 30 April the CSI published moredetailed guidelines, subsequently updated on 4 May, 5 June, 2 July, 25 Aug ust, gradually allowing toaccept a larger number of children in care institutions). MFLSP carried out information activities(publications on the website, letters to voivodeship offices, mailing initiatives) related to the anti -epidemic guidelines describ ed above.3. Developing solutions related to the implementation of the “TODDLER+” programme under theAnti-Crisis Shield, allowing to lower parents’ contributions also for the period when childcare was notprovided in connection with the activities for pre venting, counteracting and eradicating COVID -19; inaddition, the period for spending the co -financing received under the 2020 edition of the“TODDLER+” programme is extended up to 30 November 2021.Family benefits1. The obligation of carrying out commu nity interviews when granting care benefits, referred to inthe Act of 28 November 2003 on Family Benefits, and the allowance for carer referred to in the Act of4 April 2014 on determining and issuing allowances for carers, in particular to persons who ha vebeen quarantined due to a suspected infection or an infectious disease. In addition, the provisionindicated above allowed the authorities competent for the implementation of the aforementionedActs to determine if care is provided to a person with disa bilities (i.e. one of the primary criteria forgranting the right to the care benefit, the special attendance benefit and the benefit for carer) basedprimarily on a phone conversation with a social worker and on the basis of documents or statements,inclu ding also their copies, including electronic copies, submitted by the person applying for orreceiving the benefit, or by their family members.2. We have introduced legislative amendments for extending the validity period of certificates ofdisabilities or disability degree certificates issued for fixed period based on the Act of 27 August 1997on Occupational and Social Rehabilitation and Employ ment of People with Disabilities, subject tomeeting the conditions indicated in the Act. Extending the validity of the aforementioned certificates(pursuant to Article 15h, item 1 and 15zc item 1 of the Act on COVID -19) in turn required thecompetent muni cipal authorities to extend the rights of the beneficiaries ex officio: family benefits(including care benefit), allowance for the carrier and alimony fund benefits.3. We have extended the catalogue of circumstances considered as loss of income for dete rminingthe right to family benefits and the alimony fund to include the reduction of remuneration forcontracted employment, other gainful activity or the reduction in income from non -agriculturalbusiness activities due to counteracting COVID -19.Poland Page 12344. We h ave increased the income criterion allowing to use the alimony fund benefits up to PLN 900per family member. In addition, we have introduced the so -called “zloty for zloty” mechanism whendetermining the right to the alimony right benefits; it assumes tha t the level of benefit received bythe beneficiary is reduced by the excess amount above the income criterion.Reduction of nutrients in the Baltic SeaThe resolution of the Conference adopted by the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (CBSS)on-line on August 24, 2020 calls on the governments of the Baltic Sea countries, the Council of theBaltic Sea States (CBSS) and the European Union ( EU) on environmental protection , seas and oceansto continue and strengthen national and international effo rts to reduce nutrient emissions to theBaltic Sea. Taking into account the achievement of sustainable development, climate and biodiversityobjectives and the relevance of updating the Baltic Sea Action Plan, not only should the Baltic ActionPlan be upda ted, but also its implementation should be accelerated and intensified in order tofurther reduce the marine nutrient overload the Baltic Sea .Water eutrophic ation occurs when there is too much of the so -called nutrient nutrients (nitrogenand phosphorus compounds). They go to the Baltic Sea, among others as a result of agriculturalactivities (e.g. from too much fertilizer applied in the fields and from inadequately stored animalexcrements), from municipal and industrial wastewater and from atmospheric d eposition.Agriculture is responsible to a great extent for eutrophication, i.e. the negative effects of waternutrition. As much as 50 percent of all nutrients that end up in the sea come from land cultivation oranimal husbandry. The waters of lakes and rivers are characterized by a significant degree ofadvancement of the eutrophication process, and the Polish coastal zone of the Baltic Sea - very high.The management of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, is one of the most important factorsdetermining the production results of a farm and its impact on the environment. The strategy ofwater protection against nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from agricultural sources should bebased on the implementation of a management system for these compone nts in farms adapted tonational conditions. Therefore, there is a need to popularize a modern approach to the managementof nutrients among farmers. Some regulations on reducing water pollution with nitrates fromagricultural sources and preventing furthe r pollution are included in the Water Law of July 20, 2017(Journal of Laws of 2021, item 624). The Act of 2017 changed the manner of implementation of theCouncil Directive of December 12, 1991 91/676 / EEC on the protection of waters against pollutioncaused by nitrates from agricultural sources in Poland, and provided a legal basis for theimplementation of the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of June 5 2018 the so -called NitrateAction Program.In order to improve the country's water and sewage m anagement, the municipal sewage collectionand treatment system is being developed. This is manifested by the commissioning of newwastewater treatment plants, modernization of the existing wastewater treatment plants, inparticular with regard to the remo val of biogenic compounds from wastewater, as well as theexpansion of the water supply and sewage system, and shutting down obsolete and ineffectivefacilities. The effect of these activities is an increase in the total amount of wastewater treated(including an increase in treatment with increased removal of nutrients). Despite this, there was anincrease in the amount of untreated sewage, which could have been caused by possible failures ofthe water and sewage infrastructure and the still insufficient l ength of the sewage network.Air monitoring is used to assess the deposition of pollutants to the substrate and the air quality.Precipitation accumulates and transports pollutants, thus affecting ecosystems through, inter alia,eutrophication processes, soil and water acidification. These processes are related to the presence ofPoland Page 1245substances in the air, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and their deposition - alongwith precipitation - to the ground.Activities within the scope of the Minist ry of Economic Development, Labor and Technologyproperties support the activities of the European Commission in the field of limiting the release ofnutrients into the environment through changes in EU legislation. A representative of the Ministryparticipated in the work on Regulation (EU) No 259/2012 of the European Parliament and of theCouncil of 14 March 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 as regards the use of phosphatesand other phosphorus compounds in detergents for consumers , laundry and au tomatic dishwashingdetergents for consumers. The aim of the regulation is to reduce the impact of phosphates fromdetergents on the risk of eutrophication and to reduce the cost of phosphate disposal in waste watertreatment plants. The restriction for co nsumer laundry detergents was applied from 30 June 2013and for automatic dishwashers from 1 January 2017.Protection of the Baltic Sea biodiversity, problem of dumped munitions, wrecks and ghost nets inthe Baltic SeaParticipation in the work of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the Sub -Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) of the International Maritime Organisation(IMO). Following issues were discussed:- greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of the IMO Prelim inary Greenhouse GasStrategy;- amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the procedures for sampling and verification of thesulphur content of oil fuel and the design energy efficiency index EEDI ;- amendments to the BWM Convention concerning the testing of ballast water handling systemsin connection with their commissioning ;- draft amendments to Annexes 1 and 4 to the AFS Convention .Participation in the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) working group on ship waste. Themain topic of the meetings wa s the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/883 of the EuropeanParliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on port reception facilities for the delivery of wastefrom ships, amending Directive 2010/65/EU and repealing Directive 2000/59/EC and the revie w ofDirective 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on ship -source pollution and on the introduction of penalties for infringements.Undertaking the legislative work on the Act on Port reception facilities for ship w aste implementingDirective (EU) 2019/883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on portreception facilities for ship waste, amending Directive 2010/65/EU and repealing Directive2000/59/EC.Among other things, the draft Act provid es for an extension of the definition of 'ship waste' to coverall waste generated on board ships. It also requires ports and marinas to maintain adequatereception facilities, collect waste from ships and issue a receipt. The legislation provides for theobligation of seaports and harbours to prepare waste reception plans, the obligation to submitbiennial reports and other information obligations. The draft Act implements the rules for chargingfor the collection of waste from ships provided for in the Di rective.Following the ratification of the International Convention for the Control and Management of ShipsBallast Water & Sediments, which aims to prevent, reduce and as far as possible eliminate thetransfer of alien species and pathogens by ships throu gh the control and management of ballastwater and sediments, draft regulations of the Minister of Infrastructure have been prepared on thefollowing matters:Poland Page 1256- transmission of information on the current ballast water quantities and ballastoperations carrie d out on a ship bound for a port located in the territory of the Republicof Poland- application template for granting a ship travelling between certain ports or places or aship operating exclusively between certain ports or places exemption as referred t o inregulation A- 4 of the Annex to the International Convention for the Control andManagement of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments, 2004, signed on 13 February 2004 inLondon- equivalent arrangements to those required under the International Convention for theControl and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments, 2004, signed on 13February 2004 in London, for ships listed in regulation A -5 of the Annex to thatConvention- Cooperation in the framework of activities carried out by the Baltic Marine EnvironmentProtection Commission (Helsinki Commission/HELCOM) in order to fulfil the legalobligations concerning the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.HELCOM's work is carried out in 8 working groups and a number of expert,correspo ndence, project and ad hoc groups to make full use of the experts' potential andfocus on the overarching goal of achieving good environmental status of the Baltic Sea.- The work of the Helsinki Commission has been recently focused mainly on the update ofthe Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), which is to take place in 2021. The activities of thePolish representatives concentrated on providing reporting data, developing documentsand analyses, as well as ensuring participation of experts and representatives of relevantministries and scientific communities in meetings of HELCOM working groups, bothpermanent and ad hoc, and in all new initiatives of this forum.- Legislative work on the Order No. 150 of the Prime Minister of 25 September 2020 onthe appointment of the Inter- Ministerial Team on the risks arising from hazardousmaterials deposited in the maritime areas of the Republic of Poland. The task of the teamwill be to assess the risks associated with the occurrence of hazards arising fromhazardous materials deposited in the maritime areas of the Republic of Poland, includingthe preparation and presentation for approval by the Council of Ministers of a detailedaction plan of public administration and the supervised and subordinate units on thesubject of to xic warfare agents and their degradation products deposited in the maritimeareas of the Republic of Poland, conventional weapons and fuel and petroleumsubstances deposited in wrecks, together with the identification of entities responsiblefor carrying o ut the tasks, the schedule of implementation of these tasks and theexpected financial outlays for their implementation.The General Director for Environmental Protection is the competent authority for coordinating theenvironmental impact assessment proc edures in a t ransboundary context in Poland. Internationalcooperation in this field is conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Convention on EnvironmentalImpact Assessments in a Transboundary Context, done at Espoo on 25 February 1991 (hereinafterreferred to as the Espoo Convention) and the Prot ocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to theConvention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, done at Kiev on 21May 2003 (hereinafter: the SEA Protocol).Point 13 of the Resolution of the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) refers to “ensurecontinuous monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea eco system in line with therequirements of the Espoo Convention and again reaffirm that large scale projects that have a majorimpact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region have to comply with the obligations arising fromrelevantinternational treaties and c onventions, including the Espoo Convention”.Poland Page 1267It should be borne in mind that the Espoo Convention does not conta in legal regulations as regardscontinuous monitoring of the environment and ecosystems, but obl iges the states to carry out anenvironmental impact assessment in a transboundary context for projects that can have a significantimpact on the territory of another state.The General Director for Environmental Protection coordinated, inter alia, transboundary proceduresfor such large -scale projec ts in the Baltic Sea as the Baltic Pipe (a project implemented in the territoryof Poland, Denmark and Sweden) and Nord Stream I and II (a project implemented in Germany,Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia). For both investment projects, transboundary pro cedureswerecarried out pursuant to the provisions of the Espoo Convention, participated in by the Polishauthorities and public.What should also be stressed in the context of ensuring the sustainable development of the BalticSeaecosystem, is the impo rtant role of strategic environmental impact assessments (SEA) carried out formaritime spatial development plans in the Baltic Sea. The SEA allows to assess bo th positive andnegative environmental impacts, including cumulative impacts, a nd to plan appropriate remedialsolution. The impacts analysed under the SEA are assessed in the c ontext of the entire Baltic Seaecosystem by analysing, e.g. the impact on the integrity and cohesion of Natura 2000 sites.Where a possibility of significant impacts on the territory of other states is found, these states arenotified and given an opportunity to give an opinion on documents under the SEA. The legal basisgoverning the implementation of the SEA in a transbounda ry context is the SEA Protocol. Most BalticStates , including Poland, carried out the SEA for the mar itime spatial development plans beingdeveloped, involving the authorities and society of other Baltic State s in the process of givingopinions on the draft plan.Development of the DigitalisationPromotion of the expansion of digital skills and resources to increase the personal interaction in theBaltic Sea Region and intensify cross -border cooperation, especially in the case that the possibility forface- to-face contacts stay limit ed.Digital competence is the harmonious composition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that make itpossible to live, learn and work in a digital society.Digital competence includes:- IT competence consisting in the ability to use a computer and other el ectronic devices, theInternet, applications and software;- information literacy, namely the ability to search for information, understand it and selectand critically evaluate it;- functional competence, i.e. the actual use of the above competences in diffe rent areas ofeveryday life, such as finances, work and professional development, maintainingrelationships, health, hobbies, civic in volvement, spiritual life, etc.The Polish Ministry of Digitalisation has developed the Digital Competence Development Pro grammeto 2030 (PRKC), which aims to continuously increase the level of digital competences by providingeveryone in Poland with opportunities to develop them according to their needs. Development ofdigital competences contributes to building of an inclus ive, open and modern society, which in theindividual dimension will translate into a better quality of life.Poland Page 1278The preparation of the Programme was preceded by numerous meetings and workshops with manystakeholders in the development of digital competence. Numerous consultations and meetings onthe scope of activities were held with experts from the Working Group on Digital Competences,which was composed of people from various backgrounds willing to cooperate. As a result, theProgramme is comprehensive an d oriented at introducing systemic changes in the area of digitalcompetence development.Other projects implemented by the Polish Ministry of Digitalisation (now incorporated into theChancellery of the Prime Minister) in the area of digital competences i nclude:- Programme for the Development of IT Talents for 2019 -2029, as part of whichChampionships in Computer Games Design and Championships in Algorithmics andProgramming are organised ;- Academy for Innovative Applications of Digital Technologies "AI Tec h";- Centre for IT Championships (CMI) ;- Integrated Qualification System (ZSK) .Enforcing the development and establishment of a trustworthy and secure digital infrastructure aswell as the strengthening of digitalisation in business, education, research and in administration,along with the goal of increasing cross -border cooperation as well as further cross -border contacts .On 17 February 2021, to mark the 30th anniversary of the V4 Group, the Polish Presidency organizeda Jubilee Summit in Cracow which con cluded in the signing by the V4 heads of government of thedeclaration on Mutual Cooperation in Digital Projects. With the adoption of this declaration ouradministrations have committed to bring added value across the region by creating synergies indigit al projects.In particular, the V4 countries committed to build a framework for close cooperation on digitalissues, not only for governmental bodies but also for science and research centers. We want tocreate incentives for innovative SMEs and start -ups to launch common digital projects and adopt keydigital technologies into their business model.In 2020 Poland has updated its National Broadband Plan. By 2025, we want to have Internet accessof at least 100 Mb/s and for the main drivers of socio -econom ic development, such as schools,transportation hubs and locations providing public services, guarantee speed of even 1 Gb/s. Finally,in this time we hope to bring 5G connectivity to all major transportation routes and main cities inPoland.For many years, the Polish Government has been allocating substantial resources to eliminate "whitespots" on the country's Internet map. In the current EU financial perspective, almost PLN 4 billion hasalready been contracted for this purpose from the Digital Pol and Operational Programme (PC OP).Thanks to these funds, broadband network construction projects are implemented which will ensureaccess to fast Internet for over 2 million householdsParticipation in the work of The Baltic Sea Region Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Data Expert Sub -group. The group works under HELCOM -VASAB MSP Working Group by supporting data, informationand evidence exchange for MSP processes with regard to cross -border/transboundary planningissues. One of the outputs of the group are Guidelines on transboundary MSP output data structurewhich set out technical requirements (data specification) for the interoperability and harmonizationof spatial data sets corresponding to the transboundary/cros s-border maritime spatial planningoutput data (MSP output data). It’s realization provides general overview of the maritime spatialplanning process in the Baltic Sea Region and is publicly available on the HELCOM Map and DataService.Poland Page 1289In these times of economic crisis we have to focus together on innovation because it is a chance toensure sustainable economic growth. That’s why digital topics are constantly present on the agendaof cooperation within the Three Seas Initiative.In 2015, the Digital Balti c Highway was launched. A modern, fiber -optic network connecting sixEuropean cities: Tallinn, Frankfurt, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw and Berlin, which strengthens the ties ofWestern and Eastern Europe. In Poland’s view it is also important to create analogical , north -southconnections in Central and Eastern Europe. That’s why two years ago Poland brought up with aproject of the Three -Seas Digital Highway (the 3 Seas Digital Highway). The target of this project tobuild a cyber -attacks resistant digital infrast ructure, that will enable more efficient and secure datatransfer from the North to the South of the region. It will help to complement the map of digitalinfrastructure in the region and will establish a base for evolving digital economies.Another crucial component of digital sector are data. In the digital age, data has become a rawmaterial that is a basis for creating new values and for meeting human needs. There are a lot of typesof data - they are generated by human activity, monitoring environmenta l phenomena (like geodeticor meteorological data) as well as - industrial activity (like data from sensors of production lines).Poland perceives data as a production factor, next to capital and labour, and even as an environmentfor actions of a social or economic nature. It will be possible, if we consider that raw data is a freeresource and everyone should be able to build new values using access to them. Companies shouldbe encouraged to open up data resources, share them and build values by increasing the entireecosystem in which they operate. That’s why the whole Three Seas Region could achieve above -average benefits if we commonly develop the idea of data -based economy.Poland has also been monitoring Baltic Sea Countries progress on 5G deployment with great interest.Especially we recognize efforts of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in cross -border and cross -sectoralcooperation. We consider them to be essential for all of the future social, environmental andeconomic benefits 5G may bring for Europe . Today 5G is the driver of new and emergingtechnologies.The Via Baltica project – as well as Via Carpatia - is one of the significant initiative of the nationalDevelopment Strategy 2030, which aims at increasing the accessibility of the Eastern Poland andtakes an important part of the international connection with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (E67). Thisinvestment, together with the network of adjacent regional and local roads, may constitute a strongdevelopment impulse for the eastern and north -eastern regions of Poland.Digitization is now and will continue to be a major factor of social and economic change. High -speeddigital connections and computing resources are the future and basis for the expansion of areas suchas medicine, digital education , the aerospace industry, and autonomous transport systems alongmajor European routes. 5G is at the centre of this digital revolution. Taking this strategic goals inconsideration it has to emphasised that the cross -border cooperation between EU Member St ates isessential as never before. Even though the majority of the work on 5G roll -out must be done by theMember States themselves, there is a need for coordination and mutual support in designated areas.Poland and Lithuania made a significant step in t his area in September 2018 when both countriessigned the Letter of Intent on the launch of 5G services, in particular Connected and AutomatedDriving (CAD) along Via Baltica.On 14th of September 2020 Poland together with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia si gned aMemorandum of Intent to intensify cooperation in the establishment of 5G cross -border corridorsfor large scale deployment purposes in the Via Baltica. We have agreed to cooperate among others inthe field of 5G network to support sustainable mobili ty and foster innovation of Connected andAutomated Mobility (CAM).Poland Page 12910The cohesion policy and its contribution to th e implementation of the EUSBSRThe existing Partnership Agreement envisages in the current financial perspective theimplementation of act ions in accordance with the three underlying objectives of the EU Strategy forthe Baltic Sea Region: saving the sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity.The Cohesion -policy related projects contribute their best to improving competiveness, bu ildingrobust transport and energy -supply routes, mitigating the effects of climate change and improvingbio-diversity across the Baltic Sea region.Those projects are implemented under the national, regional and European Territorial Cooperationprograms. The operational programs, which are in the most significant extent contributing to therelevant objectives and priority areas of the EUSBSR are: OP - Eastern Poland 2014 -2020, OP-Knowledge Education Development 2014 -2020, OP - Smart Growth 2014 -2020, Oper ational ProgramInfrastructure and Environment 2014 -2020), the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Interreg BalticSea Region Program.Poland attaches particular importance to fostering the smooth connectivity across the Baltic SeaRegion. In this respec t, one should refer to the added value of ongoing Baltic Pipe, Rail Baltica andVia Baltica infrastructural projects, which are co -financed from the CEF mechanism.Building our economies better from the pandemic crisis, it will be also necessary to continu e andincrease support for trans -national mobility of students and employees and encourage betternetworking od SMEs in the Baltic region .There is also a need to highlight the importance of projects, implemented under the EuropeanMaritime and Fisheries F und 2014 -2020, which focuses, among others, on reducing the impact offisheries on the maritime environment and restoring biodiversity and natural ecosystems of theBaltic Sea.Poland will also continue to contribute towards the implementation of the EUSBSR in the nextperspective of the EU cohesion funds 2021 -27. The climate and environmental issues and supportfor innovation will be our top objectives in this respect, reflecting the priorities of this newprogramming period.Transnational cooperationInterreg Baltic Sea Region Program (IBSR)Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany implement in partnershipwith Norway, Russia and Belarus the transnational programme Interreg Baltic Sea Region (IBSR). Thisprogram plays a significant role in the implementation of th e objectives of the EUSBSR and supportsactivities in the field of innovation, environment and transport.There is currently 140 approved projects, including 60 of flagship status, granted by the nationalcoordinators of the EUSBSR. Among the successfu l flagship projects, strengthening the transnationalcooperation, one can refer to the : BaltSe@nioR on delivering solutions and know -how for theproduction of household- items for the elderly people and EMMA, dedicated on bringingimprovements for the inland navigation in countries of the Baltic region.In 2020, representatives of the Baltic states initially agreed that the new edition of IBSR program willfocus on bolstering transnational cooperation in the following areas: innovation, water resources,climate neutrality – strictly in accordance with the relevant objectives of the EUSBSR.In addition, the support, envisaged under this program will be also extended to assist institutions,coordinating the implementation of the EUSBSR.Poland Page 13011Interreg South Bal tic ProgramThe Interreg South Baltic program builds the second leg for the cross -border cooperation in theregion. It is dedicated to fostering the sustainable management of maritime economic and naturalresources of the Baltic Sea.Therefore, the prog ram contributes to the development of blue and green economy and has a stronginter- linkage with the objectives of the EUSBSR.The 7 projects, co -financed under this program: INTERCONNECT, BioBiGG, MORPHEUS, Baltic SeaTourism Center, InnoAquaTech, Attrac tive Hardwoods, BBVET have been given the flagship status inlight of their contribution to the EUSBSR.Migration and IntegrationIn regard to harmonizing the practices concerning processing of asylum applications it has to beremembered that actions made in this area must be taken in close cooperation between MembersStates and the European Union institutions. This is why Polish Office For Foreigners - a bodyresponsible for conducting asylum applications - closely cooperates with the European AsylumSupport Office (EASO). As a good example of such cooperation which directly leads to harmonizingpractices in asylum procedure, could be the usage of guidelines created by the EASO CountryGuidance Network. Last year it was possible to finalize new versions of the Country guidance forapplications from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. This year new and revised Guidance should be createdfor applications from Nigeria and Somalia. Such documents have direct impact on practice in the areaof asylum procedure because t hey help to assess asylum claims. Moreover, EASO could also createguidance which could be helpful in other areas of the asylum procedure such as the assessment ofthe evidences. All this kind of documents are created in close cooperation between member st atesand the EASO.Similar direct impact on the practice in the area of the asylum procedure is made by the judgmentsof the Court of Justice of the European Union. This is why the Office for Foreigners assesses everyjudgment regarding asylum law. If it is needed, it is possible to change practice in the asylumprocedure as a results of the new judgments. Such actions will be also continued in the future.Finally, the direct impact on the asylum procedure has the European Union asylum law. This is whyrepresentatives of the Office for Foreigners, in close cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior andAdministration, will actively engage in creating new Asylum Pact, which will change the CommonEuropean Asylum System.Civil Protection in the BSRThe National Headquarters of the State Fire Service of Poland (KG PSP) actively participates in theCivil Protection Network of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) engaging in the Senior Expertsand corresponding meetings.The above mentioned faci litate the everyday work within international cooperation throughmoderated exchange of issues, experiences, and solutions. Additionally, a new interactive format ofquestions and answers allows for more impromptu and non -formalised discussions resulting i n aquick answer oriented replies. Such approach accelerates works in the field of safety and security inthe region in relation to day -to-day emergencies and major disasters.One of the outcomes of the mutual cooperation is a new initiative – the project proposalBALTinnoSEC which has been submitted to the Swedish Institute – an idea which main goal is toestablish a multi -disciplinary, solution -oriented forum in civil security which will deal with BSR -specific risks in win -win stakeholders environment.Poland Page 13112KG PSP represents Poland in the meetings of the CBSS Directors General of Civil Protection whichgather leading authorities and institutions in the Civil Protection Network. This years were C ovid -19oriented exchange of experiences, providing lessons learn ed and solutions from our neighbours inthe BSR as well as those in accordance with the priorities of the Danish presidency in the CBSS.The videoconferences summarize the implementation of activities and projects related to the CivilProtection Network of the CBSS. KG PSP involves in the cooperation its other entities, for examplethe Main School of Fire Service (SGSP) and the Scientific and Research Centre for Fire Protection -National Research Institute (CNBOP -PIB). The activities cover a wide range of topics fromidentification of challenges for emergency services and civil protection administration throughmatching them with research, technological solutions, to development of public involvement inbuilding resilience to everyday events and major disas ters.The Directors General of Civil Protection of the CBSS approved amendments to the Joint Declarationon Enhanced Cooperation in Civil Protection in the Baltic Sea Region (adopted in 2017 in Keflavik,Iceland). An important element was the discussion o n the national strategies applied in response tothe SARS- CoV- 2 pandemic, the exchange of experiences and preliminary conclusions.KG PSP covering the wide range of threats also participated in an online seminar organized by theLithuanian Presidency of th e CBSS concerning joint actions against nuclear risks. We also took part inthe virtual forum Our Region. Our Future. Towards a Decade of Innovation and Sustainabilitydedicated to the discussion on how to best use the EUSBSR in further development of the countriesin light of the new EUSBSR Action Plan and the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework. Discussionscovered all three of EUSBSR main objectives: protecting the Baltic Sea, building connectivity in theregion and increasing prosperity.Bilaterally , the State Fire Service of Poland has undertaken activities with our neighbours formLithuania and Germany which were limited due to C ovid -19 to those nurturing institutionalcooperation such as systematisation of cooperation between fire services, updati ng mutual responseguidelines, planning future study visits, exercises and trainings to name a few, all in the form of videoconferences.EUSBSR Policy Area SECUREThe State Fire Service of Poland has been actively involved in in the work of the Steering Group of thePolicy Area SECURE under the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) as well asits flagship projects:– NEEDS - brings together higher education institutions and social safety practitioner organisations inthe Balt ic Sea Region. The project aims to address the competence gap and mismatch between socialsafety education and knowledge needs in the field. It also aims to strengthen transnationalcooperation and dialogue between higher education institutions, practition ers and experts inaddressing these issues (participation of SGSP)– CASCADE - dedicated to developing existing methodologies for disaster risk assessment to includeclimate change issues and using these methodologies to support local authorities in buildi ngresilience to disasters (participation of the SGSP)– FIRE -IN - European Innovation Network in the area of firefighting and rescue (participation of theSGSP and CNBOP -PIB)– ChyResilience – focused on the role of children and youth in building a resili ent society(participation of CNBOP- PIB)KG PSP actively supports projects of our neighbours. Our input has been received by the ReSit -project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The aim of the project is to create asituational pictur e of volunteers and volunteering in the field of firefighting, rescue and civilprotection in the BSR, thereby increasing resilience to natural and man -made disasters. The situationPoland Page 13213picture will be used to create common guidelines for volunteering in the r egion. The project isplanned to apply for potential funding at European level.The other project of which the KG PSP has been positive about is the Polish NET -CBRN -REACTcoordinated by the International Centre for Chemical Safety and Security (ICCSS) wit h the Fire ServiceCollege in Krakow (SA PSP) in the role of Consortium Partner. NET -CBRN -REACT aims for better andmore prompt disaster risk management in Eastern Europe and the Middle East throughstrengthening effectiveness and efficiency of collective civil protection and disaster managementefforts. The project aims to develop an inclusive platform of shared knowledge and expertise, goodpractices and networking in order to establish common understanding and shared culture ofprevention, preparedness a nd response in civil protection and disaster risk management in the EUand the wider Neighbourhood.Poland Page 133Russia Page 134RussiaON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE29th BALTIC SEA PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE RESOLUTION(Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs )In the period from September 2020 to April 2021, at the initiative of Russiaand with Russian participation, diverse work was carried out in line with theprovisions of the resolution of the 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference(BSPC), held in digital format on August 24, 2020.To paragraph 1 of the ResolutionIn the field of Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and SocialWell- being (NDPHS) steps has been taken to expand areas of cooperation in thelight of the fight against the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic andpossible future pandemics. In particular, the main elements of the Partnershipdevelopment strategy being developed for the period up to 2030 take into accountthe impact of COVID -19 on certain areas of public health. In the course of thework of the Committee of Senior Representatives of the NDPHS and its expertgroups, information was exchanged on improving the health systems of the Partnercountries in connection with the spread of the coronavirus.On November 20, 2020, the ND Business Forum "Business Response withinthe Northern Dimension to the Challenges of the COVID -19 Pandemic: EconomicForecast, Security Measures and Support Programs "w as held in an online format.Within the framework of the Forum, a separate session on health was held, whereissues of international cooperation to counter the pandemic were discussed.December 3, 2020 The ND Institute organized a regular "Forum of the Fut ure"dedicated to the fight against COVID -19 in the region, during which expertdiscussions were held on the impact of the pandemic on the situation in northernEurope.To paragraph 4 of the R esolutionCurrently, the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is developing astrategic document for the development of the Baltic Sea region for the period upto 2030, which should replace the Vilnius Declaration of 2010 and define the goalsand objectives of our cooperation for the next decade. It is expected that it will becomplemented by an action plan that defines the specific measures to be taken bythe CBSS to implement the Baltic -wide strategy. The documents are expected to beadopted during the ministerial session of the Council, scheduled for June 1, 2021 inthe digital format .Russia Page 135The issue of creating a coherent vertical of cooperation in the Baltic Sea,covering the national (CBSS), regional ( Baltic Sea States Subregional Co -operation - BSSSC ) and municipal (Union of the Baltic Cities - UBC ) levels, wasregularly raised at meetings of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials Senior -CSO, including in the context of the development of the organization's strategicdocuments.During the extraordinary meeting of the CSO on January 13, 2021 theRussi an side once again raised the issue of resuming meetings of the heads ofgovernment of the Baltic States, but there is still no consensus on this issue amongthe Council member countries.To paragraph 5 of the R esolutionPractical cooperation between Russia, Iceland, Norway and the EUcontinued within the framework of the ND and its specialized partnerships. OnNovember 3, 2020, a meeting of the ND Steering Group was held under theRussian chairmanship. The possibility of holding a high -level meeting and NDParliamentary forum is being considered this year.In the Northw estern Federal District of Russia a number of projects arebeing implemented through the ND Environmental Partnership, whose mandatehas been extended unti l 2027, and new project initiatives are being developed todispose of nuclear facilities in the Arctic latitudes and reduce harmful emissionsinto the atmosphere. The ND Partnership for Transport and Logistics, together withthe ND Institute, has launched a study on the decarbonisation of the transportsector in northern Europe. Expert cooperation is being successfully implementedwithin the framework of the NDPHS , and the implementation of its flagshipproject on "healthy ag eing" has begun. Through the ND Partnership in the field ofculture, active work is being carried out to build a regional network oforganizations working in the field of creative industries; on December 10 -11, 2020,the Seventh Annual Partnership Forum was held with the support of the M inistryof Culture of Russia.The implementation of projects within the framework of seven cross -bordercooperation programs between Russia and the EU member states, as well as the“Interreg. Baltic Sea Region” continued for 2014- 2020. Active preparation ofprograms for the new period of 2021 -2027 is underway. The possibility ofexpanding cooperation by joining Russia to the programs "Northern Periphery andthe Arctic" and "Black Sea Basin" is being worked out.In order to further strengthen t he interaction between the multilateralcooperation formats in the North of Europe, a regular coordination (online)meeting of the regional intergovernmental councils (the Arctic Council, theRussia Page 136Barents /Euro- Arctic Region, Council of the Baltic Sea States, No rdic Council ofMinisters) was held on December 3, 2020. On a regular basis, the CBSS, theBSSSC , the UBC , the Commission for the Protection of the Baltic Sea MarineEnvironment (HELCOM), the intergovernmental forum "Vision and Strategiesaround the B altic Sea " (V ASAB) and other Baltic cooperation structuresinteracted.To paragraph 6 of the R esolutionOn March 17, this year, an expert online meeting of the CBSS CivilProtection Network was held, during which the relevant agencies of the Councilmem ber countries exchanged experience in the field of combating terrorism with anew coronavirus infection. Representatives of the Ministry of EmergencySituations of Russia took part in the event.To paragraph 14 of the R esolutionAs part of the celebrati on of the Baltic Sea Day, HELCOM in 1986, the XXIInternational Environmental Forum "Baltic Sea Day"was held in St. Petersburg onMarch 23- 24 this year in a full -time format.During the event organized with the support of the Ministry of NaturalResources of Russia The Governments of St. Petersburg, Russian and foreigngovernment representatives, scientists and experts discussed topical issues ofupdating the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and revising its goals until 2030, aswell as project activ ities in the region, including cross -border cooperation and theInterreg program. The Baltic Sea Region".To paragraphs 20, 29 of the resolutionCooperation on migration issues in the Baltic Sea region continued throughthe CBSS Anti -Trafficking Task Force. The Group is working on a draft jointstatement on combating trafficking in persons for the purpose of labor exploitation,which is planned to be adopted during the digital High -level Conference on May 6,2021. Interaction on this issue was also carried out within the framework of theCouncil's Expert Group on Children at Risk, with an emphasis on the protection ofunaccompanied migrant minors.Russia Page 137Information on implement ation of the 29th BSPC Resolutionby the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Russian FederationInformation on measures to preserve employment in the contextof a pandemic, including particularly vulnerable population groups in the labormarket (p.6 of the Resolution)The practice of organizing an emergency transfer of em ployees to remote workin conditions of sanitary and epidemiological distress served as the basis for thepreparation of amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation (hereinafter –the Code) in terms of regulating remote work and temporary transf er of an employeeto remote work on the initiative of the employer in exceptional cases.In order to improve remote forms of work of employees, Federal Law No.407 -FZ of December 8, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as Federal Law No. 407 -FZ) amendedChapter 49 .1 of the Code aimed at regulating the work of remote workers, whichentered into force on January 1, 2021.Federal Law No.407 -FZ has expanded the range of remote workers, provides forthe possibility of working remotely permanently, temporarily for 6 mont hs, alternatingwork remotely and at a stationary workplace.Only for the period of exceptional cases and circumstances (natural or man -made disasters, industrial accidents, accidents at work, fire, flood, earthquake,epidemic, epizootic and any exceptiona l cases that endanger the life or normal livingconditions of the entire population or its part, remote work can be performedtemporarily in accordance with a local regulatory act adopted by the employer.When temporarily transferring to remote work on the initiative of the employeron these grounds, amendments to the employment contract with the employee are notrequired. But the employee must be familiar with this local regulatory act in a way thatallows for reliable confirmation of the employee's receip t of such a local regulatoryact. At the end of this period, the employer is obliged to provide the employee with theprevious work provided for in the employment contract, and the employee is obligedto start to its implementation.Remote workers are subj ect of the labor legislation, and during the period oftheir performance of the labor function remotely – taking into account the featuresestablished by Federal Law No.407 -FZ.The interaction of a remote employee and an employer can be carried out duringworking hours by exchanging electronic documents with the use of an electronicsignature or in another form provided for by a collective agreement, a local regulatoryact adopted with the consent of the trade union, an employment contract, and allowingfor fixing the fact that the employee and (or) the employer receive documents inelectronic form.For many enterprises, the use of new forms of work can become an importantelement of the production strategy, it will reduce the unemployment rate among thosewho find it difficult to compete on an equal footing in the labor market (disabledpeople, young people, first -time job seekers, women with young children, people ofpre-retirement age, and others).Russia Page 1382In connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infecti on in 2020, which ledto an increase in the number of unemployed citizens, the Ministry has developedadditional measures aimed at reducing tension in the labor market of the subjects ofthe Russian Federation (hereinafter – additional measures).Implementation of additional measures in 2020 include reimbursement toemployers of expenses for partial payment of labor in the organization of public worksfor the citizens, job seekers and applied to the employment service, as well as theunemployed and employe rs compensation expenses for partial payment of labor in theorganization of temporary employment of workers who are at risk of dismissal (theintroduction of part -time, temporary cessation of work, vacations without pay, theimplementation of measures to release employees).These measures were aimed at preventing the aggravation of the situation on thelabor market, the risks of releasing employees of organizations, and further growth ofunemployment.The implementation of additional measures has shown it s relevance both on thepart of citizens looking for work and on the part of employers, and thus allowed tomitigate the negative consequences of the introduction of quarantine measures.As of December 31, 2020, 40505 employees who are at risk of dismiss al weresent to temporary work and 63848 people looking for work and who applied to theemployment service bodies, as well as unemployed citizens, were sent to temporaryworks.The total number of participants in additional events in 2020 was 104353peopl e.As of December 31, 2020, expenses for the implementation of additionalmeasures amounted to 2,776.2 million rubles.In order to restore the state of the labor market to pre -pandemic state, theMinistry in 2021 provides for measures to stimulate the h iring of unemployed citizens,providing for reimbursement to employers of the costs of partial remuneration ofemployees from among unemployed citizens registered with the employment servicebodies before January 1, 2021.These measures provide an opportun ity to support employers in hiring staff, toincrease the level of employment of citizens who have applied to the employmentservice bodies.The Government of the Russian Federation approved the correspondingresolution No. 362 of March 13, 2021 "On state support in 2021 for legal entities andindividual entrepreneurs in the e mployment of unemployed citizens".The volume of budget allocations from the federal budget for theimplementation of measures in 2021 will amount to 12.1 billion rubles.The provisi on of subsidies to employers is carried out by the Social InsuranceFund of the Russian Federation on the basis of data from the register formed on thebasis of employers ' applications. The organization or employer will receive the firstpayment in the am ount of the minimum wage after a month after the employment of anRussia Page 1393unemployed citizen, the second payment - after the third month of work, and the thirdpayment- after the sixth month of work.The priority right to participate in the event is granted to un employed citizenswho are experiencing difficulties in finding a job.The implementation of these measures will allow to assist in the employment ofmore than 220 thousand unemployed citizens.As of April 15, 2021, the number of employers who applied f or participation inthe events in the Russian Federation as a whole is 5305. The number of declared jobswas 23582 with 8818 vacant positions.9194 job applications were issued to citizens. As of April 15, 2021, 2,317 peoplewere hired.Information on t he regulation of the labour market in the conditions of thepandemic to solve problems of shortage and surplus labour(p.20 of Resolution)In 2020 in the framework of the Federal project "Promotion of women'semployment - creation of pre- school education f or children up to three years"(hereinafter – Federal project), implemented events on vocational education andadditional professional education of women caring for children of preschool age.The purpose of this project was to provide opportunities for wo men raisingpreschool children to combine work activities with family responsibilities, includingby increasing the availability of preschool education for children under the age ofthree, as well as stimulating the creation of additional places in short -term stay groupsof preschool children.The impleme ntation of the measures of the F ederal project contributed toincreasing competitiveness in the labor market and professional mobility, thedevelopment of employment for women with children, and provided an opportunity tocombine employment with family responsibilities.According to the results of 2020, 34896 women of these categories completedvocational training or received additional vocational education (139.3% of the plannednumber of women who complet ed vocational training and received additionalvocational education, 25 046 people, established by the F ederal project).Of those who completed training, 24532 women started working aftercompleting training, of which 19.5 thousand people came out of paren tal leave at theage of three years.The share of women who started working in the total number of women whounderwent retraining and advanced training in these categories was 70.3%.Professional development was carried out according to the professions(specialties) available to women, retraining was carried out according to professionsthat are in demand on local labor markets, or in accordance with the requirements of aspecific employer for guaranteed employment.Russia Page 1404The training was conducted in various p rofessions, specialties, taking intoaccount the level of education and professional qualifications of women, their practicalexperience, the complexity of the professions (specialties) being mastered.In the conditions of restrictive measures related to the spread of coronavirusinfection, the organization of the educational process was carried out with the use ofdistance learning in those areas where it is possible.Also in 202 0, within the framework of the F ederal project "Older Generation",training was provided for both citizens of pre -retirement age and citizens aged 50 yearsand older.As of December 31, 2020, 64077 people (163.9% of the adjusted plan for thenumber of 39.1 thousand people) were sent for training as part of the training of oldercitizens with the assistance of the employment service bodies.Thus from the total number aimed at educating senior citizens 51.4 thousandpersons are workers of 6491 organization (80,2%).From those aimed at training 38.7 thousand people were sent u sing r emotetechnologies (60,4% ), 13.7 thousand with the use of educational certificate (21,4%).63.2 thousand people completed the training , of whom 50.8 per thousand areworkers of organization (80,4%).The number of older citizens engaged in labor activity a fter completion oftraining was 58758 people.Thus, the share of employed persons aged 50 years and older, as well as personsof pre- retirement age who have completed vocational training or received additionalvocational education, is 93%.When selecting educational programs for vocational training and additionalvocational education, citizens of pre -retirement age were provided with a state servicefor professional orientation in order to choose a field of activity (profession), areas ofstudy and subseq uent employment.The training was conducted in the areas demanded by interested employers.Along with the executive authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation,the Worldskills Russia Agency organized and conducted events on the organization ofvocational training and additional vocational education for persons of pre -retirementage.As of December 31, 2020, 25000 people (100% of the planned number) weretrained as part of the event to train older citizens with the assistance of WorldskillsRuss ia.Thus, with in the framework of the F ederal project "The Older Generation", bythe end of 2020, a total of 88156 people completed training (with the assistance of theemployment Service and Worldskills Russia).In total, over the period of 2019 – 2020, more than 228 thousand older citizenswere trained within the framework of the federal project "Older Generation".Russia Page 1415About training of certain categories of citizens within the framework of thefederal project "Employment Promotion" of the national project "Demography" in2021One of the negative consequences of the spread of coronavirus infection was theincrease in unemployment. Currently, the situation on the labor market is stabilizing,but the number of unemployed citizens registered with the employme nt service is stillsignificantly higher than the pre -pandemic values.In order to restore the labor market to the pre-pandemic values in the frameworkof the new Federal project "Promotion of employment" of the national project"Demography" in 2021, expan d the categories of participants training, training andgain additional professional education will now be able to all citizens seeking workand applied to the employment service, including the unemployed, and people aged 50years and older, the citizens o f pre- retirement age, women who are on leave to care fora child under three years of age, women who are not employed and have children ofpreschool age.Measures for professional training and retraining of unemployed citizens areimplemented in order to e xpand the employment opportunities of citizens, to reducethe period of job search and to ensure the highest quality employment. Vocationaltraining of unemployed citizens is carried out by professions and specialties inaccordance with the needs of the la bor market or in accordance with the requirementsof a specific employer for guaranteed employment. For citizens looking for work,vocational training and additional vocational education will contribute to theacquisition of labor skills and adaptation in the workplace, increase competitiveness inthe labor market and expand the possibility of permanent employment.It is planned in 2021 that vocational training and additional vocational educationwill be held at least 168.8 thousand people, in 2022 -2024 – at least 125.0 thousandpeople annually.The events are organized through non -profit organizations -federal operators thathave a regional network of branches and the possibility of concluding cooperationagreements with educational organizations located on the territory of the subjects ofthe Russian Federation.Measures for vocational training and additional vocational educati on within theframework of the Federal project "Employment Promotion" are being implemented inall subjects of the Russian Federatio n.In order for citizens to participate in the F ederal project "EmploymentPromotion", federal operators should specify their status. The status of a citizen mustbe confirmed by the relevant documents at the time of sending a citizen for vocationaltraini ng.The number of applications as of April 15, 2021 was 11419.Of these, 7150 were received by Worldskills;in RANEPA – 3023;in the TSU Research Institute – 1246.Russia Page 1426As of April 15, 2021, the number of participants in events sent by operators fortraining in educational organizations was 1,283 people.Information on regulation of labor migration, the practice of employmentsupport and integration of specific groups of immigrants (p. 21 resolution)The Government of the Russian Federation is entitled to determine annually theneed to attract foreign workers arriving in the Russian Federation on the basis of avisa, including by priority professional qualification groups, as well as to set a quotafor issuing foreign citizens arriving to the Russian Federat ion on the basis of a visa,work permits and a quota for issuing invitations to foreign citizens, with the exceptionof foreign citizens who arrived in the Russian Federation in a manner that does notrequire obtaining a visa, to enter the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying outwork. The quota for issuing work permits is reduced annually and amounts to:In 2015 - 275,856 work permits;In 2016 – 213 929In 2017 – 177 043In 2018 – 178 454In 2019 – 144 583In 2020 – 104 993In 2021 – 101 871.The Government of the Russian Federation is granted the right to an annualtaking into account regional peculiarities of the labor market and the need for priorityemployment of citizens of the Russian Federation to establish the allowable percentageof foreign workers that are used in various sectors of the economy economic entitiesoperating on the territory of one or more constituent entities of the Russian Federationand the territory of the Russian Federation (hereinafter – the maximum share offoreign workers).The Ministry, when preparing relevant draft resolutions on the establishment ofpermissible shares of foreign workers for the next year, is working to gradually reducethe previously established permissible shares of foreign workers in cert ain types ofeconomic activity, which allows minimizing the appearance of mono -ethniccompanies in certain types of economic activity that attract exclusively foreign citizensto work.Information on support for particularly vulnerable groups of the popul ation(p. 29 resolution)At the F ederal level, a set of measures aimed at supporting families inconnection with the birth and upbringing of children, including low -income families, isconstantly being improved.Thus, in 2020, in order to support the large st number of families at the birth ofthe first and second child, the need criterion was increased from 1.5 times theRussia Page 1437subsistence minimum of the working -age population to 2 times the subsistenceminimum and the period of monthly payment was extended from 1 .5 to 3 years.Starting from January 1, 2020, a monthly cash payment is made to families inneed of support whose average per capita income does not exceed the subsistenceminimum per capita, who have children aged 3 to 7 years inclusive. In 2020, it wasprovided in the amount of 50% of the regional subsistence minimum for children.Since 2021, in order to increase the income of families and overcome poverty,the amount of monthly cash payments has become differentiated. If the amount of theaverage per capita income of a family, calculated taking into account the monthlypayment of 50% of the regional subsistence minimum for children, does not exceedthe amount of the subsistence minimum per capita, then the payment is assigned in theamount of 75% of the regional subsistence minimum for children. If the amount of theaverage per capita income of a family, calculated taking into account the monthlypayment of 75% of the regional subsistence minimum for children, does not exceedthe amount of the subsistence minimum per capita, then the payment is assigned in theamount of 100% of the regional subsistence minimum for children.In 2020, the conditions for providing funds for maternal (family) capital havechanged. The maternity (family) capital program has bee n extended until December31, 2026.In order to support the first births, starting from 2020, the right to maternal(family) capital has been granted to families in the event of the birth of the first child.For persons who have the right to additional mea sures of state support for familieswith children arose before January 1, 2020, as well as for persons who have the rightto additional measures of state support for families with children arose in connectionwith the birth (adoption) of the first child st arting from January 1, 2020, is 483.8thousand rubles.The amount of maternal (family) capital for persons who have the right toadditional measures of state support for families with children who have arisen inconnection with the birth (adoption) of the first child, at the birth (adoption) of thesecond child increases by 155.5 thousand rubles.The amount of maternal (family) capital for persons who have the right toadditional measures of state support for families with children that have arisen inconne ction with the birth (adoption) of the second or third child and subsequentchildren starting from January 1, 2020, if they did not have such a right earlier, is639.4 thousand rubles in 2021.One of the tools for reducing the poverty of families with chil dren is themechanism of the social contract.In 2020, a number of changes were made to the mechanism of the socialcontract, which, in particular, made it possible to expand the list of goods and servicesfor which the funds of the social contract can be used to overcome a difficult lifesituation and start their own business, excessive barriers to employment were removedfor citizens who signed a social contract in the direction of vocational training oradditional vocational education.Russia Page 1448From 1 January 202 1 added to the list of actions co -financed from the Federalbudget event "maintaining personal subsidiary farm" as the most in demand in ruralareas, changed the structure of the distribution of the number of recipients of socialcontract in different dire ctions, event training and additional professional education ofthe independent direction of assist converted into an additional, which gives citizensthe right to pass if necessary vocational training or to obtain additional professionaleducation within the framework of the implementation of the social contract job, theexercise of individual entrepreneurial activity, the conduct of private farming.Since 2021, subsidies from the federal budget for co -financing expenses relatedto the implementation of me asures aimed at providing state social assistance on thebasis of a social contract are provided to all subjects of the Russian Federation (exceptfor the city of Moscow).According to the preliminary results of 2020, 46.5% of citizens covered by statesocial assistance on the basis of a social contract have overcome a difficult lifesituation, including improving their financial situation.In order to support the population during the unfavorable epidemiologicalsituation caused by the spread of a new coro navirus infection, the Government of theRussian Federation adopted a package of anti -crisis measures aimed primarily atsupporting families with children, their income, as well as family members left withoutwork.Federal measures provide for the solution of systemic problems characteristic ofall subjects of the Russian Federation. These measures are implemen ted both at theexpense of the F ederal budget and on the terms of co -financing from the F ederalbudget. The implementation of these measures is provi ded for in the subjects of theRussian Federation, the conditions for thei r provision are established by F ederallegislation. The set of measures is constantly being improved and expanded.Russia Page 145INFORMATION of the MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT,COMMUNICATIONS AND MASS MEDIA , RUSSIAN FEDERATION(MDDCM M)on the implementation of paragraphs 16 -18 of the 29th BSPC ResolutionI. On measures taken to combat the spread of coronavirus in 2020, andtheir results.1. In accordance with item 6 of the list of instructions of the Chairman of theGovernment of the Russian Federation Mr. Mikhail Mishustin dated March 21, 2020No. MM -P13-2165, following the meeting of the Presidium of the CoordinatingCouncil under the Government of the Russian Federation to combat the spread of anew coronavirus infection (hereinafter – COVID -19) on the territory of the RussianFederation on March 20, 2020, an automated tracking system of citizens withmandatory isolation orders was created on the basis of the Situation Center of the(MDDCM M) (hereinafter – the tracking system) . As the initial data, the data of thecoronavirus disease accounting system, the numbers of radiotelephone subscribersusing specialized geolocation algorithms were used.The created tracking system with the involvement of the capabilities of mobileoperators on a gratuitous basis actively functioned in from March 2020, which madeit possible to effectively solve the issues of monitoring citizens' com pliance with themandatory isolation regime if there is an appropriate reason.2. Within the framework of the national program "Digital Economy of theRussian Federation" in accordance with the decree of the Government of theRussian Federation No. 2092 o f December 14, 2020, MDDCM M provided a subsidyfrom the federal budget for the creation and operation of a contact center to informcitizens about key socio -economic issues, including limiting the spread of a newcoronavirus infection, supporting small and medium -sized businesses in a pandemic,exporting citizens of the Russian Federation from abroad and other activities in 2020 .3. The service of operational assistance to citizens has been launched by thenumber "122" (Service -122). The goals and objectiv es of the Service -122 are:providing a convenient and free channel for telephone calls of citizens on theorganization of medical care in the conditions of the spread of the new coronavirusinfection COVID -19, including making an appointment with a doctor and calling adoctor at home, the rules of vaccination against COVID -19, accordin g to the "onewindow" principle.Russia Page 1462Since the end of November 2020, the Service -122 has been operating on theterritory of all subjects of the Russian Federation. Since the laun ch of the service, theshort number " 122" has received more than 10 million requests from citizens.4. Today citizens can receive some public services, medical care, food andother services necessary for a comfortable life without leaving home.Russian digital solutions are actively contributing to the prevention of apandemic: artificial intelligence and supercomputers are helping to develop a vaccineagainst coronavirus, and the facial recognition system, which is considered one of thebest in the worl d, helps to limit the spread of infection. The most popular and popularelectronic services in 2020 on the Public Services portal were doctor's appointmentsand payments for children from 0 to 3 years and from 3 to 16 years. In April 2020, amechanism for proactive registration of maternal (family) capital was launched, whenparents register the birth of a child in the registry office and they are automaticallyissued an electronic certificate for maternity capital on the basis of a birth registrationrecor d. More than 2/3 of the certificates have already been issued in a proactive modewith notification of parents .In 2020, significant results were achieved for 6 super services :- superservice " Registration of the Euro protocol online" . The possibility ofregistration of the Euro protocol by individuals and legal entities through themobile application "OSAGO Assistant" (compulsory civil liability insurance)throughout the territory of the Russian Federation;- superservice "My Health" has been implemented. Portal of state services hasimplemented the possibility of making an appointment with a doctor, includingin electronic directions;- superservice "Admission to university online" . Portal of state services hasimplemented the possibilities of sending electr onic applications for admissionto full -time budgetary education, obtaining information about the dates ofadditional entrance tests, tracking a place in the competition lists, sendingelectronic consent for enrollment and receiving notification of success fulenrollment in 54 state higher educational institutions participating in the pilottesting of the super service;- superservice "Social support online". The opportunity to submit a citizen'sconsent to proactively inform about the possible occurrence of r ights to socialsupport measures has been implemented;- superservice "Paperless transportation of passengers and cargo" . Anexperiment on the introduction of electronic registration of primarytransportation documents for road transport with the participat ion ofRussia Page 1473commercial organizations has been launched on the territory of 6 subjects ofthe Russian Federation;- superservice " Education in the Russian Federation for foreigners" . Withinthe framework of the digital platform "Education in the Russian Federatio n forforeigners", the search, comparison and selection of educational programs andeducational organizations, as well as the possibility of career guidance areimplemented.5. As part of the organized work on the Unified Portal of State and MunicipalServices, in March 2020, the MDDCMM launched a service for citizens who neededhelp in returning home from abroad. Through the portal, users requested assistance inorganizing their return to their homeland, and could also receive up -to-dateinformation about the next planned export flights. Over the entire period since thebeginning of the pandemic, more than 300 thousand citizens have been exported fromabroad.6. During the coronavirus pandemic, one of the initiatives of the M DDCMM isthe launc h from March 23, 2020 of the website "Everything Online" . On thewebsite, information about services is grouped according to various types of needsand life situations – from ordering food and food products to training and receivingmedical consultations online. Takin g into account the agreements reached withRussian Internet companies, online services of Internet services are provided tocitizens free of charge or on preferential terms (for more than 500 digital services).7. MDDCMM together with the FS S of Russia an d the Ministry of InternalAffairs of the Russian Federation, has developed an algorithm regulating the actionsof federal executive authorities on the mechanism for passing persons across theState border of the Russian Federation under restrictions impos ed in connectionwith the spread of a new coronavirus infection . It also developed a unified form forfilling in by persons planning to cross the State Border of the Russian Federation withthe possibility of obtaining information about the decision taken on the specifiedcrossing on the public services portal.The algorithm for submitting applications for foreign citizens to enter theRussian Federation, including for receiving medical services, was approved by theprotocol of the Operational headquarters No.1 кв dated January 14, 2021 for theprevention of the import and spread of coronavirus infection in the territory of theRussian Federation . At the moment, the mechanism is fully implemented andfunctioning.Russia Page 1484II. International activity results.1. Despite the slowdown in the global economy, the export of IT servicescontinued to grow steadily and by the end of 2020 amounted to 6.5 % compared to2019. This growth is all the more valuable against the background of a global drop inexports in almost all other areas due to the COVID -19 pandemic.2. In 2020, on the basis of the Rosinfokominvest JSC foundation targetedsupport for ICT exports was launched.According to the results of the work of Rosinfokominvest JSC for 2020,contracts on the export of products of Russian companies were concluded in theamount of 228 million rubles (the planned indicator is 200 million rubles), thecompany received a marginal profit (revenue under agency agreements) in theamount of 50.6 million rubles (the planned indicator is 40 million rubles).3. Within the framework of participation in the work of the AdvisoryCommittee of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection ofIndividuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (T-PD):- the Russian proposals were taken into account when developing Guidelinesfor the Protection of Data of Minors (Children) during the provision of educationalservices;- at the request of the Russian side, the Committee Secretariat developed a draftlegal instrument explaining some provisions of the Modernizing Protocol, which isplanned to be discussed during furt her meetings of the Committee.4. As part of the analysis of the possibility of joining the legal instruments ofthe Organization for Economic Cooperation and Devel opment (OECD), thefollowing were analyzed:- Recommendations of the Council on OECD Recommendation on Cross -border Co -operation in the Enforcement of Laws Protecting Privacy (2007)OECD/LEGAL/0352;- Declarations on Cross -border Data Flows (1985) OECD/L EGAL/0216;- Recommendations of the Council on Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy andTransborder Flows of Personal Data (1980) OECD/LEGAL/0188.In part of these documents, preliminary interest and readiness for accessionwere expressed, the presen ce of basic principles of legal instruments in the legislationof the Russian Federation was noted.5. World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2021 (WSIS Forum)MDDCMM ensured the broad participation of organizations and enterprises ofthe industry, outlined the main achievements of the Russian Federation in the field ofdigital services and ICT applications, and also outlined the prospects for theirRussia Page 1495development. Traditionally, the Russian Federation has won one of the main prizes ofthe WSIS in the category "ICT Applications: e -Education", as well as a number ofother awards for ICT projects in various categories.6. Internet Governance ForumMDDCMM e nsured the broad participa tion of organizations of industryenterprises, as well as representatives of the legislative power , identified the need todevelop a universal document on Internet governance at the UN site with thedistribution of responsibility of all interested parties and a separate role of sovereignstates in this process as the main guarantors of the rights, freedoms and security oftheir citizens; we received the status of the host country of the Forum in 2025.7. Group of 20 (G20)The final ministerial declaratio n of the meeting was approved, reflecting themain priorities of the G20 in the following areas: artificial intelligence, personal dataprotection, ensuring the integrity, stability and security of data flows, protecting therights of consumers of digital services, developing smart cities, measuring the digitaleconomy, increasing the resilience of the global economy to cyber threats, measuresto support the use of digital technologies to combat the consequences of COVID -19.Russia is actively developing the key areas of digital policy noted in theministerial declaration, stressed the importance of recognizing the role of ITU inbuilding t rust and security in the use of digital technologies, and also reported on thestate support measures that the Russian Federation provides to create favorableconditions for the development of the information technology industry.Russia Page 150Schleswig-Holstein Page 151Schleswig-Holstein— 1 —Kiel, 24.03.2021State Government report on the state of implementation of the 29th BSPCresolutionAs to the preamble to the resolution:Schleswig-Holstein is committed to strengthening political coope ration in the Baltic Searegion even in times of pandemic. In times of limited travel opportunities, it is all themore important to maintain and strengthen practical cooperation to achieve commonsolutions. Schleswig-Holstein therefore expressly welcomes and supports theestablishment of the Baltic Sea Youth Platform by the Council of the Baltic Sea States(CBSS).Schleswig-Holstein also participates in the creation of the new Interreg BalticSea program from 2021. Through existing networks, organizations and projects(e.g.BSSSC, CBSS), Schleswig-Holstein supports the development of a resilient BalticSea region in post -pandemic times.On ‘Co-operation in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic’ (paragraphs 1-9):3. to enforce Digital Health at a Distance strategies and projects, which involve mappinge-medicine initiatives bringing health initiatives into people's homes and enabling socialcare from a distance, where face-to-face contacts can be replaced by virtual solutions,and increase further investments in e-health - also for their use in any future pandemicsSchleswig-Holstein is already on the right track with digit alisation, because computer-aided technology and robotic systems are already existent measures in care. Numerousprojects will test whether the modern technology is application-oriented and needsoriented and whether both caregivers and persons in need of care are supported andrelieved of the burden. The state government will continue to support digital measuresthat maintain and promote self -determination in old age or relieve caregivers. Examplesof future technologies currently being tested in t he homes include VirtualReality (VR)-glasses, digital voice assistants and electronic ally controlled sensor patches.Digitalisation is an increasingly important building block to relieve care, e.g. in thecontext of documentation. In terms of national politics, the care of old people will remaina central issue with increasing importance. The goal is to work on a permanent basis onimprovement and further development of digitalisation.Schleswig-Holstein Page 152— 2 —We should pursue further t he potential offered by digitalisation, both in the world o f lifeand in the world of work. A comprehensive supply of the necessary infrastructure isnecessary.It is also useful to link the electronic patient record with care data. The resulting synergyeffects, if treating doctors can also use data from daily care (and vice versa), can onlyimprove treatment on both sides.Technical assistance systems / digitalisation are/is therefore a supplement and supportin everyday care and especially in long -term care, because the actual nursing activity,such as wound care and psychosocial care for older people, will also be dependent onhuman-to-human interaction in the long term. Technology cannot and should no t replacepersonal attention.On the conservation of our environment, seas and oceans (paragraphs 10-15):10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation and the sustainable useof the Baltic Sea in order to protect marine biodiversity;Schleswig-Holstein supports all measures necessary to achieve the objectives ofrelevant legal requirements. This concerns in particular the achievement of the goodenvironmental status of the Balt ic Sea in accordance with the EU Maritime StrategyFramework Directive (MSFD), taking into account the corresponding HELCOMobjectives and agreements. In this context, Schleswig-Holstein is actively involved inthe development and implementation of a joint program of measures of the federaland state governments, which was set up in 2016. This program is currently underreview with the aim of reporting to the EU COM in 2022.In addition, further knowledge identified in th e implementation process of MSFD orHELCOM regulations is necessary. In the Baltic Sea region, the so-called HELCOMScience Agenda, which is currently prepared, is particularly important with the aim ofadopting it in autumn 2021 together with the re -launch of the Baltic Sea Action Plan.Schleswig-Holstein is involved in the voting process between the FederalGovernment and the regional governments.11. continue to recognize the Baltic Sea as international waters, with freedom ofnavigation and concerning th e protection of the environmentThe recognition of the Baltic Sea as international waters is subj ect to inter- andsupranational as well as global regulations and agreements. In Germany, theSchleswig-Holstein Page 153— 3 —Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is in charge ofinternational shipping and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, NatureConservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and its respective divisions are responsiblefor international environmental protection.The Ministry of Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature andDigitalisation of t he State of Schleswig-Holstein (MELUND) is involved in technicaland political issues by the respective federal authorities and, if necessary, cancontribute comments. This takes place within the framework of HELCOM and itsworking groups MARITIME, PRESSURE and STATE & CONSERVATION and theiroverarching decision-making levels.The decision on the German position represented at the respective internationallevels is the responsibility of the Federation, which is responsible for the externalrepresentation of Germany in the international context.Schleswig-Holstein therefore does not carry out its own measures, projects oractions in relation to the recognition of the Baltic Sea as international waters.12. continue and enhance national and international efforts to reduce emissions ofnutrients to the Baltic SeaSchleswig-Holstein continues to support intensively the reduction of nutrientemissions and inputs in the Baltic Sea. This is part of the implementation of therelevant EU legislation, in particular the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) andthe Maritime Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Schleswig-Holstein wasinvolved in the development of currently valid reduction targets for German BalticSea waters and their catchment areas. The implementation of these measures iscurrently under way in the river basin units according to the WFD as well as in themarine waters according to MSRL. The latter also includes reduction targets andmeasures developed within the framework of HELCOM.13. ensure monitoring and analysis of the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem in linewith the requirements of the Espoo Convention and again reaffirm that large scaleprojects that have a major impact on ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region have tocomply with the obligations arising from relevant international treaties andconventions, including the Espoo Convent ion and the Helsinki ConventionSchleswig-Holstein is continuing the environmental monitoring of its own coastalwaters, which has existed for many years and adapted to new requirements orSchleswig-Holstein Page 154— 4 —knowledge, as part of the monitoring program of the federal and coastal states. Aprogram update is necessary from time to time. EU environmental requirements arealso relevant in this context. The corresponding implementation includes relevantbasics and agreements from international conventions. This is the case with regard tothe Baltic Sea in particular for HEL COM in the context of the regionally coherentimplementation of this Directive as required by the MSFD. Therefore, agreementsrelevant to Germany from the currently valid HELCOM monitoring program areincluded in the national measurement program , most recently this was the case whenupdating the national monito ring program according to MSFD in October 2020 (seealso www.meeresschutz.info/berichte.html).14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in the light of the socio-political andeconomic consequences of the Covid -19 pandemic – pursues the objecitves of explicitlyconsidering aspects of sustainability, relevance for the climate and biodiversity as wellas suitability in the updating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and future HELCOMdecisions and – in accordance with the calls for action of the Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference not only to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) but also to visiblyaccelerates and intensify its implementation, to work together to the best of all abilities fofurther reduce the excessive nutrient load in the Baltic Sea, as well as to striv e foranother Ministerial Meeting in 2021The socio-political and economic consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic are notthe responsibility of MELUND.Schleswig-Holstein is actively involved in the German HELCOM Presidency. On1 July 2020, the state government – here the responsible MELUND – took over thevice-presidency for one year, which will then be handed over to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for another year. Schleswig-Holstein therefore actively supports theFederal Government in its Presidency by elaborating common priority topics, workingsheets and concept papers for the discussion in the respective HELCOMcommittees. The main topics concern not only aspects of sustainability (includingsustainable blue growth), climate and biodiversity protect ion, but also other keyissues, relevant for Schleswig-Holstein, such as ammunition in the sea, underwatersound, eutrophication and damage s ubstances as well as marine waste, including,inter alia, ghost networks, development of monitoring and evaluation requ irements,intensification of implementation and progressive revision of the HELCOM RegionalAction Plan Marine Litter and including marine litter as a binding par t of the BalticSea Action Plan.(see also https://helcomfi/about -us/chairmanship/germany -2020-2022).Schleswig-Holstein Page 155— 5 —The overarching topics mentioned here are also core topics of HELCOM, whichGermany intends to advance with concrete proposals together with all Baltic Seacountries. The success of these efforts depends inter alia on the willingness of theHELCOM Community to develop the German proposals, as the principle of unanimityapplies to HELCOM agreements.In addition, Schleswig-Holstein contributes two projects as so-called best practiceexamples on climate change (A) and eutrophication (B):• Baltic Sea Coast 2100 Strategy in Schleswig-Holstein (2019-2024):The aimis a Baltic Sea coast that is ecologically sustainable and adapted to theconsequences of climate change in the long term. This joint project will resultin an overall strategy “Development of the Baltic Sea Coast 2100” adopted bythe state government of Schleswig-Holstein.• Project “Modellregion Schlei” in Schleswig-Holstein (beginning in 2020): Inaddition t o the reduction of nutrient inputs in the Schlei, the focus of thisintegrative project is on the conservation and development of biodiversity andbiological climate protection as well as on the synergy effects between theseareas.In addition, Schleswig-Holstein has agreed to present the venue for the HELCOMMinisterial Conference scheduled for 20 October 2021. One focal point will be theadoption of the revised Baltic Sea Action Plan.15. acknowledging the priorities of Germany’s HELCOM Chairmanship to i ntensifyefforts to monitor and to treat the problem of dumped munitions, wrecks and ghostnets in the Baltic Sea on a common international approach supporting the existingnational and international efforts and responsibilities, moreover to strengthen exi stingpolitical structures and scientific projects, also thus to make the Baltic Sea regionbecome a global leader in the field of solving problems associated with dumpedmunitions and unexploded ordnance located underwater as well as in the field ofwrecks and ghost netsThe Baltic Sea region is the leading region on these topics all over the world. Towhich extent HELCOM’s objectives can be reached under the German Presidency isnot the responsibility of the state of Schleswig-Holstein or Germany. However, theGerman Presidency and the respective vice-presidents of the countries have agreedon further proposals to deal with and solve the burdens, which also result in marineSchleswig-Holstein Page 156— 6 —ammunition and ghost networks, in order to advance these issues in the Baltic Searegion together with all the parties (see paragraph 14).With regard to ammunition loads in the sea, a particular challenge is to attractfurther contracting parties to participate in the issue in order to obtain ascomprehensive a picture as possible of th e conventional ammunition in the BalticSea. A first success is visible. The work of the ad hoc working group HELCOMSubmerged, which expires at the end of 2020, will continue as a submerged expertnetwork at the request of Germany and Poland. The work can go on. The Heads ofDelegation have to take a corresponding decision by 2021. Some measures askedfor in point 24 of the 28th BSPC resolution are already on the way. The financinginstrument for dealing with ammunition in the Baltic Sea region is still outstanding.Baltic Sea wide concepts for monitoring and handling ammuniti on start bycorresponding projects. The Kiel Munitions Clearance Week 2021 – to take place on10 September 2021- can form a special milestone here. The aim of this internationalevent is to provide a platform for politics, science, business and administrat ion toinform and exchange information on marine ammunition, the impacts a ndpossibilities of handling. Schleswig-Holstein has developed over the last 10 years akind of knowledge region for ammunition in the Sea and has launched many projectsand initiati ves.Kiel Munitions Clearance Week 2021 is an intermediate target, but also a startingpoint for the next step towards an orderly clearing concept for the Baltic Sea. Thiscan function as starting point for concepts of other marine areas. In addition to thepreviously described establishment of the expert network Submerged underHELCOM REPONSE, Kiel Ammunition Clearance Week 2021 will also make avisible contribution to point15 of the 29th BSPC resolution. During this event, the twoEU-funded projects DAIMON 2 and BASTA will organize project meetings underPolish and German coordination, thus underlining the impo rtance of the Baltic Searegion for the topic. This will once again present the Baltic Sea region as animportant example in the handling of marine ammunition.On 01 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by theUnited Nations entered into force. Objective 14 (SDG-14) describes the conservationand sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources. The goals described arerealistic by 2030 under the precondition that all actors will take the necessarymeasures. Regional cooperation such as HELCOM contribute to this, among otherthings, with the objectives formulated for the German Presidency. The Baltic SeaSchleswig-Holstein Page 157— 7 —Parliamentary Conference can take a responsible position here in order to persuadeits own governments to adopt at least a regionally coordinated strategy for dealingwith marine ammunition and, above all, to resolve the issue of a sustainable financialinstrument.With regard to ghost networks, a wide range of initiatives, activities and researchprojects are on the way or in preparation:At the political level, the 93. Conference of Environment Ministers on 15 November2019 asked the Bund/Länder Working Group North and Baltic Sea (BLANO),including the fisheries industry, nature conservation assoc iations and, whereappropriate, other actors, to identify appropriate measures for the MSFD programmeas well as targeted research and development needs to solve the ghost networkproblem in the North and Baltic Seas. It also asked BLANO to explore possiblefinancial instruments and to report on the results to the Conference of EnvironmentMinisters as soon as possible.As part of the updating of the MSFD Action Programes, an existing measurecontinue under the new title “Prevention, Search, Recovery and Disposal of GhostNetworks”. It includes a comprehensive portfolio of measures (avoidance, mapping,locating, collecting, discarding, recycling, eco-friendly materials, marking, producerresponsibility, educational work), thereby contributing to the implementation of theHELCOM BSAP and the HEL COM Recommendation 36/1 (Regional Marine LitterAction Plan).In addition, the National Round Table on Sea Waste has treated the ghost networkproblem since 2016 in or der to support and operationaliz e the implementation of theMSFD measures to achieve the national environmental objective “sea withoutexposure to waste”. Schleswig-Holstein has taken part in this discussion. In thiscontext, expertise from the relevant areas (fishing and port industry, publicauthorities, environmental association s, etc.) will be brought together in order todefine and operationaliz e concrete options for action.During the ongoing German HELCOM presidency and the Schleswig-Holstein vice-chairmanship, the following other thematic issues are focal points:Intensification of activities to prevent, search and salvage “ghost nets” in theBaltic Sea region:Up to now, the following measures exist for the German Baltic Sea waters:Schleswig-Holstein Page 158— 8 —• Methods for mapping ghost nets;• Strategies to avoid loss of fishing gear; Evaluation of marking systems for betterretrieval of lost fishing gear;• Overview of options for the collection and handling of fishing gear out of service inports;• Treatment scheme in ports from the design of reception facilities to recycling;• Explore recycling opportunities for fishing gear out of service;• Sonar technique for the recovery of lost fishing gear;• an environmental impact study on the impact of salvage operations and a riskassessment of ammunition loads in the sea.In this context, we have to make sure that new procedures do not create additionalburdens on the marine environment. For this purpose, for example, we have to payattention to the underwater sound inputs resulting from the sonar technology .Improving com munication and knowledge -share between stakeholders:In particular, further improvement of communication with fishermen, various interestgroups and other organiz ations is important with the aim of reducing prejudices (e.g.fears about stigmatization of fisheries), to learn from the many years of experience offishermen, to raise awareness of problems and, if possible, to jointly develop strategiesfor reducing or avoiding net losses.Preparation of a HELCOM Recommendation on Abandoned, Lost and Dis cardedFishing Gear (ALDFG):From the findings already gained and with the help of the exchange with fishers andother stakeholders, the completion of the already planned HELCOM Recommendationon ALDFG is to tackle.As to “digitalization” (number s 17 and 18):A strategic goal of the digital transformation of the state administration is to explore thepotential of digitiz ation in cross-border intergovernmental cooperation. From thepoint of view of the national government, more cooperation, especially with Denmark, isnecessary. For these reasons, the Ministry of Digitalization contact ed the JointInnovation Lab (JIL) in order to stimulate research cooperation wi th the University ofCopenhagen. This comprises a common infrastructure , data security and data protectionand further cross-border e-government.At the same time, the Ministry of Digitalization is examining whether locally supportedSchleswig-Holstein Page 159— 9 —pilot projects could advance the cross-border digitiz ation of the public sector. TheSchleswig-Holstein IT Association is also included as an operational arm of themunicipalities.Regarding migration and integration (numbers 19-31)As agreed in the resolution, Schleswig-Holstein takes into account the mult i-layerednature of integration. Amongst others the task is a cross-cutting issue in the stateadministration, so that, for example, the topic of labor market integration are dealt withby the Ministry of Economics, Transport, Labor, Technology and Tourism or the issue ofintegration in the school sector is dealt wi th by the Ministry of Education, Science andCulture.For the moment being, the state government does not plan i nternational projects in theBaltic Sea region in the area of integration. Due to the complexity of the topic ofintegration, a focus in Schleswig-Holstein is on the coordination of the variousmeasures — both with regard to measures of the state government that complementthe offers of the federal government, as well as with regard to the concrete coordinationof measures in the municipalities.As stated in the resolution, NGOs and civil society have an important role to play in thearea of integration and participation. In particular, with regard to the dedication of civilsociety to diversity, the question arises in principle as to how the state can make ameaningful contribution to this. With a current funding program for integration,participation and cohesion, Schleswig-Holstein, among other things, creates goodconditions for supporting migrant initiatives that want to contribute to societythrough local contact points. In addition, the funding program will support localprojects to stimulate participation and cohesion.In addition, a communication campaign on naturalization will start shortly. The aim of thenaturalization campaign as a whole is to inform those who have almost or have alreadyfulfilled the nationality requirements but ha ve not yet applied for naturaliz ation. This willmotivate more people to choose naturalization.Schleswig-Holstein Page 160Sweden Page 161Sweden2021 -04-12UtrikesdepartementetEnheten för Östeuropa och Centralasien, Ryssland -och CentralasiengruppenHugo von EssenPraktikanthugo.von.essen@gov.seTel. 073 818 35 951Uppföljning av rekommendationer antagna på den 29eParlamentariska Östersjökonferensen (BSPC) 2020Nedan Regeringskansliets samlade återkoppling på rekommendationerantagna på den parlamentariska Östersjökonferensen ( BSPC), genomförddigitalt, i augusti 2020.Regarding Cooperation in the Region in View of the COVID -19Pandemic and its Consequences, to1. continue the relevant cooperation through the NorthernDimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being to mitigate the consequences of the COVID -19pandemic in the most effective way and to intensify thiscooperation to combat future pandemics in the mosteffective way through exchange of information and bestpractices;Sweden is an active and committed member of the NDPHS as a keyregional actor in effectively mitigating the consequences of thepandemic, and the host of the Secretariat of the NDPHS , situated inStockholm. Sweden is currently t he co-Chair of the NDPHS and willin 2022 -2023 be come the Chair. Sweden is also chairing the work ofthe Strategy Working Group, which is developing the new strategy ofthe NDPHS. Swedish experts are actively involved in the work of theNDPHS Expert Groups .2. intensify the setup of cross -sectional and transnationalreference projects for collaboration and innovations in healthsciences with a special focus on the early warning andprevention as well as sufficient combating of pandemics topromote public health on a high and sustainable level and tomake the Baltic Sea region a globally leading and prosperousmegaregion in relation to health;Sweden Page 1622 (22)NDPHS has in the coming years digitalization as an overall priority.However, considering the topic of healthy aging, issu es of digitizationas a support for health care at a distance have been discussed in EGPHC (Expert group of primary health care). The discussions haveincluded the development of health care of good quality at a distanceand solutions and systems for self-monitoring.Within the framework of AMR-EG (expert group), the Swedish PublicHealth Agency has participated in the project Network to improve theuse of AMR surveillance data for treatment guidelines with a specialfocus on pandemic related measures.3. enforce Digital Health at a Distance strategies and projects,which involve mapping e -medicine initiatives bringinghealth initiatives into people’s homes and enabling socialcare from a dis tance, where face -to-face contacts can bereplaced by virtual solutions, and increase furtherinvestments in e- health – also for their use in any futurepandemics;NDPHS Expert Group on Primary Health Care ( chaired by Russia andco-chaired by Sweden) is working on an overview of best practices inthe provision of remote health and social care services and inidentifying the gaps from the perspective of service users and providers.The study will review various approaches in remote medical and socialservice s used by the countries and stakeholders during the COVID-19pandemic . Focus will be placed on identifying needs and strategies fortraining of service providers and users, including barriers andfacilitators.4. continue comprehensive and systemic efforts to strengthenthe Baltic Sea cooperation and increase its resilience in achanging world. These steps may include the elaboration ofa strategic document for the development of the Baltic SeaRegion by 2030; assessment on how meetings of Heads ofGovernment of the Baltic Sea countries could resume;establishment of streamlined vertical cooperation in theregion that would embrace national, regional and municipallevels;Sweden Page 1633 (22)Work is currently ongoing to strengthen the Baltic Sea multilevelregional cooperation and to increase its readiness to adapt andrespond to new challenges. The efforts will be guided by a vision forthe cooperation by 2030. The vision will be adopted at the highlevel/foreign ministers meeting on 1 June 2021.5. continue political dialogue and pr actical cooperation withinthe framework of the Northern Dimension Policy and itspartnerships; put forward the implementation of cross -border cooperation programmes between the EU memberstates and Russia as well as the Interreg Baltic Sea Regionprogramme, and actively engage in developing the newgeneration of these programmes for the period of 2021- 2027;encourage broader involvement of all partners in variousformats of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region;An important task for the CBSS is to interact with other cooperationformats in the Baltic Sea region to maximi ze concrete output of thecollaboration and to avoid overlap. Cross -cutting efforts will becomea vital part of the upcoming vision for the CBSS by 2030. The CBSSSecretariat hosted the annu al meeting of the four Councils of theNorth ( Arctic Council, Barents Euro-Arctic Council, Nordic Councilof Ministers and CBSS) in December 2020, with guest briefings fromNDPHS and the ND Steering Committee. Such dialogue is animportant component to ena ble practical cooperation and synergies.The Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme continues to inviteRussian organisations to be involved as project partners as they mayapply for the Programme funding. Russian participation will also becontinued in the Kolarctic Programme , the other EU-funded cross -border cooperation programme with Swedish participation . Thisstrengthens cooperation between EU member states and non -member states in the region. The new cross -border cooperationprogrammes for the peri od 2021 -2027 will have the opportunity toinclude a new type of small projects which has the potential tobroaden participation among actors who have not previouslyparticipated. The preparation of the new cross -border cooperationprogrammes will be finali zed during 2021 .Sweden Page 1644 (22)6. use the platforms of projects already implemented withinthe framework of the CBSS to study and identify the bestpractices of the countries of the Region in overcoming theconsequences of the COVID -19 pandemic, includingmeasures to prese rve employment of both the population asa whole and individual groups that are particularlyvulnerable in the labour market;At the meeting with the expert group Children at risk within theCouncil of the Baltic Sea States/CBSS on 6 November 2020, theconsequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children were discussed.Prior to the meeting, each representative of the group w as asked toprovide a written description of the situation in their country. Themeeting resulted in a solid overview, which was documen ted andfurther supplemented by additional reporting during the meeting.The document provides more comprehensive information on thesituation in the Baltic Sea region with a focus on similarities anddifferences, information exchange and an opportunity t o spread goodexamples between countries.7. work together towards common solutions and responsesrather than strict national approaches, enhance strongcooperation and coordination across borders and promotemobility and trade especially in cross -border regions ;The NDPHS has just started the implementation of a three -year projectMITTENS (More Impact Together To Empower NorthernStakeholders), which will strengthen cooperation on the prioritizedtopics healthy and active ageing, digitalization, mental health, int egratedcare, health literacy, HIV, TB and associated infections, harm causedby alcohol and illicit drug use, challenges related to cannabis and novelnicotine products, remote services and primary health and social care,occupational safety and health, a nd antimicrobial resistance.8. include the economic consequences of the COVID -19pandemic in the discussion and acknowledge the need formapping the different economic rescue packages taken onby the BSCP governments to, at a later point, compare thediffer ent strategies.Sweden Page 1655 (22)It is valuable to share lessons learnt from the different economicrescue packages introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic withother countries, for example with the CBSS members . Below aresome examples of pandemic related rescue packages introduced inSweden.Short-time work allowanceShort-time work allowance. Administered by the Swedish Agency forEconomic and Regional Growth.Reorientation support to firms based on loss of turnoverSwedish companies that show a significant loss (threshold variesdepending on month) of turnover, as compared to the same periodlast year, can apply for aid . The first period that support could beapplied for was the months of March and April 2020.Support to sole traders and trading companiesSupport to sole trade rs. The higher the revenue loss, the higher thesupport up to a maximum ceiling.Compensation for sick leave paymentsThe government has decided on compensation for employers fortheir sick pay expenses above what is normal . Employers werecompensated for the total cost for their sick pay expenses betweenApril and July 2020.Sport, culture, and media supportWith the purpose to support the sport, culture and media sectorsaffected by the COVID -19 pandemic, the public recommendations,and restrictions.Rental supportRental support scheme for selected businesses affected by theCOVID -19 pandemic. If the landlord decreases the rent thegovernment covers part of the rent reduction.Loans to tour operatorsLoans to tour operators to cover refunds to customers.Sweden Page 1666 (22)Replacement for deduction from sick pay mentThe government has decided to temporarily suspend the deduc tionfrom sick pay ment . This means that you can apply for a retroactivereimbursement for deductions that your employer has made fromyour sick payment . If you are unemployed there is no deduction fromthe sickness benefit.Changed rules on medical certif icatesTemporary rules on medical certificates extend the number of days ofillness, from 7 to 14 days, before you must send in a medicalcertificate.Assistance to risk groupsThe government has decided on a temporary benefit for peoplebelonging to a risk group of falling seriously ill with COVID -19.The benefit is for employees and the self-employed and who mustabstain from working to avoid being infected by COVID-19.Changed rules for quarantine allowanceYou can apply for disease carrier allowance if a doctor has suspendedyou from work, i.e. have been instructed that you may not go to workbecause you are, or may be, infected with a disease that is classified asdangerous to public health and society , such as COVID -19.Disease carrier allowance can also include people who live withsomeone who has been confirmed to be infected by COVID -19. Ifyou cannot work from home , you can apply for disease carrierallowance.Increased unemployment benefitsThe requirements concerning who can receive money from anunemployment insurance fund will be temporarily relaxed in terms ofhow much people need to have worked and how long people need tohave been a member of a fund. At t he same time, it is proposed thatboth the highest and the lowest amounts paid out by anunemployment insurance fund be raised temporarily to alleviate theeconomic impact on people who become unemployed.Sweden Page 1677 (22)Education measuresFurther emphasis on implementi ng the knowledge boost - a majoreducation initiative that expands higher education and adulteducation. Efforts to alleviate effects for pupils which had beenforced into distance training.The government has temporarily abolished the income limit forstudent grants and loans from 2020 until June 30, 2021, to ensure thatstudents who can work in health care or other vital functions may doso without negative effects on their right to grants.Labour market reformsTo better address a development in which more people are expectedto become unemployed, it is proposed that increased funding be paidto the Swedish public employment service and labour market policyprogrammes.Support for education of workers in elderly careGovernment aid for individuals attaining formal education for workin elderly care.Temporary exceptions in sickness benefitThe government has decided on temporary exceptions regarding workassessment in sickness benefit since health care and medical treatmentcan be suspe nded or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .If your child ́s school or preschool closesYou can apply for compensation if your child ́s school or preschoolcloses and you must refrain from working.Temporary additional payments for families with housing allowanceThe temporary additional payment for families with housingallowance has ceased. The last payments to families were made inDecember 2020.General government subsidy of municipalitiesPer capita subsidy of municipalit ies.Sweden Page 1688 (22)Extraordinary support measuresState aid for extraordinary costs related to the pandemic in healthcare, elderly care, and care of handicapped persons .Vaccination and testingFunded by state aid, COVID-19 vaccination and testing will be free ofcharge to anyone who wants to be vaccinated or tested against thedisease.The Regions are responsible for vaccin ating and testing thepopulation in accordance with Swedish Public Health Agencyrecommendations. State aid is paid for the Regions' preparation andimplementation.Traumatic support, public transport, health careMultiple grants towards health care, publ ic transport, and elder ly careamong others.Environmental, infrastructure, air, and shipping support measuresRailway and road maint enance.Environmental compensation for rail freight transport. Financialsupport to the Swedish Maritime Administration and to theAdministration of air services .Capital injections in state -owned companiesCapital injections in SAS AB, Swedavia AB (airports), Lernia AB(training, staffing, and transitioning) and Almi Företagspartner AB(developing and financing small and medium-sized enterprises).Guarantee scheme for primarily small - and medium sized enterprisesState guarantees to banks for loans to primarily small - and mediumsized enterprises that have been negatively affected by the economiceffects of the COVID-19 pandemic .Swedish Export Credit CorporationIncreased loan facility for the Swedish Export Cred it Corporation, toincrease the availability of export financing.Sweden Page 1699 (22)Swedish Export Credit AgencyIncreased export credit guarantee limit for the Swedish Export CreditAgency, to accommodate demand for export financingGuarantees to European Commission and EIBState guarantees to 1) EIB for the creation of the EuropeanGuarantee Fund (EGF), and 2) to the European Commission forloans to member states via the temporary Support to mitigateUnemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE).Airline guaranteesState guarantee for Swedish aviation companies to help avoid liquidityproblems.Short-term layoffsThis means that employers’ labour costs can be reduced and that thecentral government covers a large share of the employee’s wage bill.Employers’ social security contributionsTemporary reduction of employers’ social security contributions.Applies to up to 30 employees and up to SEK 5 300/EUR 500 peremployee and month) and individual contributions for the periodMarch to June. For self -employed an equivalent temporary reductionof SSC applied during 2020.Taxation on work -related benefits , -parking and giftsThe government has temporarily removed the taxation on work -related benefits concerning free parking and gifts to employees up to amaximum amount of 1000 SEK. This should incentivise certaingroups using the car instead of public transport, thereby assistingtransport operators, and encourage consumption of goods andservices.Taxation on work -related benefits - foodThe government has removed the taxation on work -related benefitsconcerning food gifts from the public with the purpose of support inspecial occasions such as during the COVID-19 pandemic .Sweden Page 17010 (22)Liquidity reinforcementLiquidity reinforcement via tax accounts: companies can deferpayment of employers’ social security contributions, preliminary taxon salaries and value -added tax that are reported monthly or quarterly.To support SMEs, it will be allowed to defer the value -added taxreported annually. Hence, c ompanies can defer the payment of lastyear’s VAT that is due shortly.Preliminary tax paid in 2019SMEs can claim back the preliminary tax paid in 2019 and either payit later or set it off against future losses, i.e. a possibility to reinforceliquidity.9. promote and support a restart where companies, businessand jobs are secured.The lessons learned from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic areimportant for the upcoming work to support a restart wherecompanies, business and jobs can recover. The Swedish governmentis therefore actively involved in the development of a Europeancontingency plan to ensure the EU’s food supply and food security inthe event of future crises. Building on the lessons learned from theCOVID -19 pandemic and other rec ent events, the Commission plansto develop a set of procedures to be followed in times of crisis. Thisincludes establishing an EU crisis response mechanism to effectivelyprepare and respond to critical events that could threaten the EU’sfood security.Sweden chose not to close entire sectors of the economy in fightingthe COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, SMEs have been less affectedby the pandemic compared to some other countries . Nevertheless, theaccommodation and food services sector experienced a p articularlysharp contraction. To mitigate the economic impacts of the spread ofCOVID -19, the government has throughout the course of thepandemic proposed various temporary financial measures in supportof companies to secure businesses and jobs.Sweden Page 17111 (22)The measures include subsidies, short-time work allowance, fixedcosts coverage, special COVID -19-related loans for SMEs and acredit guarantee programme to help mitigate the impact of thepandemic. Measures have also been taken to address the shortfall ofskilled labour by making available more places at universities, trainingcentres and on relevant programme s.The government has further continued to support businesses by longterm investments in digitalization. In line with previous efforts tosimplify for companies to find digital solutions , the Swedish Agencyfor Economic and Regional Growth received EUR 500,000 (S EK 5million) per year from the Swedish government to increase theknowledge of SMEs on how to strengthen their competitivenessthrough digitali zation. Special measures targeting SMEs in rural areasand regional digitalization coordinators are in place.In a long-term perspective investing in research and innovationcreate s jobs and sustainable growth throughout the country. It isneeded to restart the economy after the COVID -19 pandemic andbuild skills, welfare, and competitiveness. The recently presente dresearch and innovation bill contains measures and financingpromoting research and innovation in industry and SMEs. The overallapproach is that the innovation system will be strengthened throughinvestments contributing to stimulating cooperation betwe en businessand academia, tackling societal challenges, uptake of research findings,promoting international cooperation and strengthening Sweden as aknowledge nation.Regarding Safeguarding our Environment, Seas and Oceans forFuture Generations, to10. continue to support innovation as regards conservation andthe sustainable use of the Baltic Sea to protect marinebiodiversity.The Swedish government is active in the work of European UnionStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The EuropeanCommission has approved the revised EUSBSR Action Plan on 17February 2021 and the revision process is now completed.Sweden Page 17212 (22)The revised Action Plan manifests the future cooperation of allstakeholders of the EUSBSR. With a more concise set of actions andrelated indicators it aims to strengthen the ties on all levels and aremore accessible for new, interested partners. Actions are developed totranslate the EUSBSR objectives into results. Actions areimplemented through activities. The PA Bioeconomy for example ,delivers primarily on the EUSBSR objective “Save the Sea” and thesub-objectives of “Clear Water” and “Rich and healt hy wildlife”,which includes promoting a sustainable use of marine, agricultural andforest resources as well as development of rural areas.Flagships are at the heart of the EUSBSR. These can be singleprojects, a set of activities or processes. They form pilot activities fordesired change on a practical or policy level. The flagships translatethe objectives and actions of into concrete activities, by e.g.developing innovative solutions, new methodolog y or new forms ofcooperation.Sweden is highly active in the work of HELCOM , chairing the workof working groups and expert groups.As part of this work we are engaged in all work -strands fromminimizing negative impacts of pollution and eutrophication tocoordination efforts with other relevant enti ties such as Baltfishregarding the impacts of fisheries. The protection of biodiversity is atthe core of the HELCOM work and the overarching vision, but thesuccess of the HELCOM agreements is completely dependent onnational implementation.The main w ork of H ELCOM is currently to update the BSAP andSweden is taking a very active role in the drafting of new measuresand processes. A process is already set up to certify that all aspects ofthe updated BSAP will be designated to an authority in Sweden.11. continue to recognise the Baltic Sea as international waters,with freedom of navigation and concerning the protection ofthe environment.Sweden Page 17313 (22)All parties to HELCOM are signatories to UNCLOS and thereforeguarantee the freedom of navigation. However, the Baltic Seaecosystem is highly affected by human activities and therefore work isongoing to minimize impacts from the maritime sector. The SECAand NECA as well as the obligation for passenger ships to landblackwater are examples of this. Impacts on seabirds , marinemammals, and fish stocks as well as other impacts may warrant theneed for additional measures. The Swedish government is activelyworking to implement agreed recommendations as well as reviewingthe need for additional measures.12. continue and enhance national and international efforts toreduce emissions of nutrients to the Baltic Sea.The HELCOM ministerial declaration of 2018 concludes that theupdate of the BSAP will be at least as ambitious as the present BSAPwhich especially refers to emissions of nutrients and eutrophication.In addition, the ongoing work with the updated BSAP is focused onidentifying the need for additional measures to reach the a greedemission reduction targets of the BSAP.The government fully supports a maintained ambition and is currentlyfinalizing the Program mes of measures for the Water frameworkdirective and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive that are partof the Sw edish efforts to reach the HELCOM goals. None of thegoals can be reached unless integrated into the work and managementof relevant sectors such as agriculture, waste management, shipping,and traffic. The BSPC participants can contribute to this developm entby facilitating and driving the necessary changes in national sectorialmanagement and policy -decisions.13. ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of the state ofthe Baltic Sea ecosystem in line with the requirements of theEspoo Convention and again reaffirm that large scaleprojects that have a major impact on ecosystems in theBaltic Sea region have to comply with the obligationsarising from relevant international treaties and conventions,including the Espoo Convention and the HelsinkiConvention;Sweden Page 17414 (22)HELCOM continues to monitor and compile national monitoringdata as a basis for its regional status assessments. HELCOMpublished its latest Holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea HOLAS II in2018 and is currently planning the work to develop the nextassessment, HOLAS III in 2023. The Swedish government issupporting this work both financially and by participating , but thecontinuation is dependent on support from all parties. The Swedishgovernment is also a signatory to the Espoo convention and complywith the provisions of the convention.14. support that the HELCOM chairmanship – also in the lightof the socio- political and economic consequences of theCOVID -19 pandemic – pursues the objectives of explicitlyconsidering aspects of sustainability, relevance for theclimate and biodiversity , as well as suitability in theupdating of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and futureHELCOM decisions and - in accordance with the calls foraction of the BSPC - not only to update the Baltic SeaAction Plan but also to visibly accelerate and intensify itsimplementation, to work together to the best of all abilitiesto further reduce the excessive nutrient load in the BalticSea, as well as to strive for another Ministerial Meeting in2021;The Swedish government fully support s the HELCOM chairmanship,including the present German chairmanship including its objectives.The pandemic has led to several changes of the work of HELCOMand most notably that all meetings ha ve been he ld online since March2020. No meetings have been cancelled due to the pandemic and allparties continue to work constructively, adapting to the presentsituation. This has showed that digital meetings work quite well inmany cases, and the Swedish government notes that this could have apositive effect for the future by paving the way for more digitalmeetings and only having physical meeting s when necessary. This isgood for the environment. The Swedish government would like toextend it s gratitude to the German chairmanship, all contractingparties, and the secretariat for the efficient and professional way thework has been adapted to the situation that has followed from theCOVID -19 pandemic .Sweden Page 17515 (22)The Swedish government would furthermore like to point out that theimplementation of the BSAP is almost completely dependent onnational and/or joint implementation. Although the coordination andjoint decisions taken by HELCOM are important facilitators thatsupport part ner actions, it is the national and sectorial implementationwork that will improve the status of the Baltic Sea. The Germanchairmanship is planning for a ministerial meeting in October for theadoption of the updated BSAP.15. acknowledging the priorities of Germany’s HELCOMChairmanship to intensify efforts to monitor and to treat theproblem of dumped munitions, wrecks and ghost nets in theBaltic Sea on a common international approach supportingthe existing national and international efforts andresponsibilities, moreover to strengthen existing politicalstructures and scientific projects, also thus to make theBaltic Sea region become a global leader in the field ofsolving problems associated with dumped munitions andunexploded ordnance located underwater as well as in t hefield of wrecks and ghost nets.Regarding sea mines from WW1 and WW2, Swedish naval unitscontinue to support the Baltic states in underwater mine clearance.This support is conducted both for environmental reasons as well asto secure the sea line s of communications in the Baltic Sea.The Swedish government supports the priorities of the Germanchairmanship and is actively engaged in the discussions on updatingthe Baltic Sea Action Plan. The Swedish government has initiatedwork on a national programme on wrecks where several prioritywrecks have been identified for which a decontamination program mehas been initiated. In addition, Sweden has an ambitious program mefor decontamination of contaminated soil, mostly r elated to historicindustrial activities, that also include harbour and marine areas.Regarding ghost nets, the Swedish government provides financialsupport to the fishing industry and other stakeholders , who alsoparticipate in the work on retrieving los t fishing gear. This work alsorelates to the implementation of the EU plastics directive.Sweden Page 17616 (22)Regarding the Development of Digitalisation, to16. promote e- Health in appropriate areas with great efforts sothat general health care can be maintained as far as poss iblein pandemic situations.Digitalization in health is rapidly evolving.It is important to see digitalization as an integrated part of the entirehealth and social care system and a tool for achieving efficiency,accessibility, and equality in health care. It also contributes to dealingwith the challenges of providing quality health care in sparselypopulated and remote areas as well as to relieve overburdened healthcare services during emergency situations such as the COVID-19pandemic . Therefore, the NDPHS has prioritized digitalization as atopic for regional cooperation i n the coming years.17. promote the expansion of digital skills and resources toincrease the personal interaction in the Baltic Sea Regionand intensify cross -border cooperation, especially in thecase that the possibility for face -to-face contacts will staylimited.Important lessons and skills have been learnt regarding interactingand working through digital platforms, although much remains to bedone until these platforms are reliable and easy to use. The digitalsecurity restrictions of organizations have often been a limiting factor.However, these new experiences should be of use in hastening thefuture digitalization of society.In the spring of 2017, the Swedish government decided on changes inthe curricula for compulsory school, upper secondary education, andadult education to clarify the school’s mission to strengthen pupils’digital skills. Changes were also made to syllabuses in several of thesubjects in elementary school and upper secondary school.Programming is now included as an important c omponent inmathematics and technology. In social subjects, increased focus isplaced on strengthening the pupils’ ability to be source critical andstrengthening the pupils’ media and information literacy.Sweden Page 17717 (22)18. enforce the development and establishment of a t rustworthyand secure digital infrastructure as well as the strengtheningof digitalisation in business, education, research and inadministration, along with the goal of increasing cross -border cooperation as well as further cross -border contacts.In the fall of 2017, the government presented a national digitali zationstrategy for the school system. The strategy aims at providing allpupils and students with the skills they need in life and work, which inthe long run provides the basis for the future skil ls supply.The national digit alization strategy for the school system containsthree focus areas to be achieved by 2022. These are:– Digital competence for all in the school system– Equity in access and usage– Research and follow -up on the possibilities of digitalization .Work is currently conducted on the issue of standards. The SwedishNational Agency for Education (NAE) is working together with otherstakeholders to provide a safe and efficient exchange of information.One aim is to promote interoperability and enable a secure andefficient exchange of information within and between educationproviders and other actors such as authorities and providers of digitalresources. The aim is also to avoid future lock -ins to specifictechnologies or suppliers. Work is also carrie d out on the issue ofstandards for dealing with information about pupils and log -ins.In November 2020, the government closed an agreement with theSwedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).SALAR will assist in the acquisition of e -credentials and digitalecosystems for education providers. SALAR will also assist instrengthening the education providers’ competence in developingtheir ability to ensure user-centred services.The NAE is also tasked with promoting digitali zation in the Swedishschool system and facilitating for schools and education providers tomake use of the opportunities of digitali zation in teaching andadministration. This includes implementing initiatives to increaseteachers' competence in distance teaching and r emote teaching.Sweden Page 17818 (22)Regarding Migration and Integration, to19. aspire to harmonize the practices concerning (1) returns (2)processing of asylum applications, and (3) receptionstandards provided for minor asylum applicants, whileconsidering both national and human/fundamental rights’considerations.The Swedish government is continuing work on finding solutionstoward a more harmonized system in the light of the new EU Pact onMigration and Asylum.20. strive for multinational cooperation and coordination tobalanc e undesirable developments such as labour shortagesand labour surpluses.The Swedish government has appointed an inquiry to review thenational system for labour immigration. The aim is to simplify theprocess for highly qualified individuals to work in S weden, whiletackling issues of abuse and exploitation of the system.21. disseminate and adopt best practices for supporting theemployment and integration of special groups ofimmigrants which deserve protection.Sweden has a tradition of openness to the res t of the world and isfully committed to maintaining an inclusive society. The government’sobjective is that newly arrived immigrants who have been grantedasylum will take up work or education and training within two yearsafter being granted a residence permit. To this end, the governmenthas several targeted measures, with a special focus on those with ashort education, and on the situation for women . The challenges thatthe government is facing right now are related to the fact that womenare underrepresented in the targeted measures for integration , and theincreased segregation in society.The integration of newly arrived immigrants is a shared responsibilityon national, regional, and local level s. A good reception system and anefficient i ntegration system require cooperation between severaldifferent actors.Sweden Page 17919 (22)Central government, county councils, regions and municipalities mustall work together. Therefore, the public sector cooperates with socialpartners, employers, and civil society to be successful in ourintegration efforts.22. acknowledge the multifaceted character of integration (i.e.labour market, language, social relationships, culturalaccommodation etc.). This understanding should also beput into practice at the legislative and policy levels.The current policy for the integration of newly arrived immigrants isbased on previous policy experience s in the area. With theintroduction of an Integration year for newly arrived immigrants in2021, the Swedish Public Employment Service has beencommissioned to share experiences from a combination ofestablishment initiatives with good results from the local level,including projects financed through the European Social Fund, workwith local job tracks, fast tracks and combinations of munici pal adulteducation initiatives. Sweden's municipalities and regions disseminatebest practice examples of integration and establishment initiatives fornewly arrived. These initiatives are often partly financed by statefunds .24. acknowledge the importance of civil society and NGOs infacilitating integration, where sport associations are oneexample of organisations that play an important, unifyingrole in integration helping people to get introduced to thesociety, activated, and bringing together new groups ofpeople;Civil society is an integral part of facilitating integration. Swedenregularly holds dialogue s with the civil society on integration relatedissues. The government also support s (financially) civil society forintegration facilitation purposes.28. give relevant projects on migration and integration,including the planned flagship project on the subject,“Recognising potential – enabling the integration ofmigrants”, in the forthcoming EUSBSR Action Plan from2021 on, timely political support.Sweden Page 18020 (22)We realiz e the importance of projects on migration and integrationand support these undertakings, such as the project ‘Integration andGrowth in Norrbotten’ financially supported by an EU-fund allocatedby Sweden.29. regarding the worldwide developments in spring 2020, andconsidering that the COVID -19 pandemic as well as theconsequences and burdens caused by the COVID -19pandemic have necessitated a temporary reappraisal of ourresponse to other problems and challenges, take intoaccount the following principlesa. The issue of migration and integration must continueto be given high priority.b. Migration in the Baltic Sea region, in Europe andworldwide, is and remains an essential issue forcountries and continues to give rise to unprecedentedhumanitarian, economic, security and politicalchallenges.c. International cooperation - including in the Baltic Searegion - must be further strengthened in this policy area.d. The issue of unaccompanied minors and vulnerablegroups needs continued political focus.The COVID -19 pandemic has naturally resulted in challenges inrelation to our work on migration and asylum. We continue toprioritize these issues and aim to find long -term sustainable solutions.Sweden has managed to receive 71 % of the target for resettledrefugees in 2020, the second highest reception rate globally that year.All resettle d refugees have received their decision and the remaining29 % are prioritized in 2021.When it comes to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic onintegration, it is becoming more and more evident that the pandemicwill have a disproportionate negative effec t on the integration ofimmigrants .Sweden Page 18121 (22)This especially concerns labour market outcomes, but al so anincreased risk of being exposed to COVID-19, to segregation and toincreased vulnerability. For newly arrived immigrants currentlyattending the integration programme , there is an obvious risk that thetime in the programme is ticking while a number of measures in theprogramme are on hold or offered in a virtual setting, which mightnot be ideal for all target groups and sometimes means education oflesser quality. One of many difficulties is the accessibility to devices tocontinue the education in a digital manner.Some municipalities have been offering civic orientation and Swedishfor immigrants in virtual settings, some have postponed all cou rses,while others have adjusted with smaller groups and larger classroomswith social distancing measures. Also, many participants in theintroduction programme have had their training and internshipscancelled or postponed.From what we have seen so far, the results are perhaps not verysurprising . On more advanced levels of language learning, things seemto be running more smoothly, whereas for earlier levels, it’s muchmore difficult to have a fruitful teaching situation, and participantstend to be les s used to digital settings . Access to computers andinternet access has also been a major concern, especially since adulteducation facilities and most public libraries have been closed.30. maintain and further develop, the institutions and projectsthat have been set up in many countries in the Baltic SeaRegion as a result of the sharp increase in refugee numbersin 2015 and 2016 and which have made a decisivecontribution to improved integration, in order to betterrespond to future needs in this area;Upho lding migration and asylum cooperation across the Baltic Searegion is highly important.Sweden is looking forward to holding the presidency in NSHF, aninformal Nordic network on asylum and migration, in 2021.Sweden Page 18222 (22)31. maintain and extend the support for local authorities fromthe state level in this task, because in the long term, theybear the main responsibility in the context of sustainableintegration and implementation of long -term integrationmeasures.Local authorities are imperative in ensuring the fulfilment ofintegration objectives. Funding allocated to the project mentionedabove named ‘Integration and Growth in Norrbotten’, directedtowards local authorities in the county of Norrbotten, illustrates thiscommitment.32. take up successful examples of best practices in other BalticSea countries, some of which are highlighted in the FinalReport of the BSPC Working Group on ‘Migration andIntegration’, provided that they can be integrated into therespective legal and structural frameworks.We value the sharing of information and experiences with other BalticSea countries and when possible strive to incorporate successfulpractices nationally.Sweden Page 183