Brussels, 27/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Second Northern Dimension Forum organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) with he participation of the Council of Baltic Sea States and representatives of organised civil society of the countries concerned by the Northern Dimension will be held in Brussels on Wednesday 19 March 2003. The President of the EESC, Roger Briesch, will introduce the forum, followed by Aristide Agathocles (Greece's Permanent Representative of the EU), Tauno Pesola (Council of Baltic Sea States) and the President of the Forum, Filip Hamro-Drotz (Vice-President of the External Relations section of the EESC, Employers' Group, Finland). Members of the EESC and representatives of civil society from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Iceland, Poland and Russia, along with EU observers will also be participating.
The Forum will cover two subjects: 1) Views of organised civil society on the role of the Northern dimension and the content of the EU Action Plan 2004-2006; and 2) How organised civil society could offer assistance in order to implement the Action Plan 2004-2006. Diana Wallis, British Liberal MEP, and Ann Davison, President of the EESC's external Relations section, Various Interests' Group) will make the closing addresses. (The first Forum was held in Umea, Sweden on 5/6 February 2001. Info: jacques.kemps@esc.eu.int)