Brussels, 28/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 July in Brussels, EU foreign ministers supported the objective of establishing a Community strategy for the Baltic Sea region. The Swedish EU Presidency trusts that the General Affairs Council will adopt conclusions on this theme during its meeting of 26 and 27 October. The conclusions will then be endorsed by EU leaders during the European Council of 29-30 October.
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said the aim of the strategy was to strengthen cooperation in order to settle problems. He said “integrated policy is essential”, and set out four major themes on which the Commission is focusing: - environment (marine and land pollution must be reduced); - economy (greater prosperity requires the elimination of trade barriers and facilitation of the free movement of workers, the commissioner said); - energy and transport (improving access to energy markets, developing internal and external transport links, safeguarding and strengthening the attractiveness of the region); - and security (making the region a model of maritime security, reducing cross-border crime, etc.).
The guidelines for this strategy will be finalised by the Council, while the Commission takes charge of coordination and follow-up of action taken, Mr Tajani said. He confirmed that the strategy for the Baltic Sea should serve as a model for other strategies, mainly for the Danube river basin (where work will begin in 2010).
Astrid Thors, Finland's European Affairs Minister, said in particular that it was necessary to give proof of the Baltic Sea's eco-efficiency. “All rim countries are not discussing this strategy with us as equal partners and this could pose problems in time”, the Finnish minister said, with reference to third countries Russia, Belarus and Norway. She urged for an “ambitious, targeted and practical” strategy.
Poland takes the view that the European Commission must play the most significant role in the fields of coordination, monitoring and reporting. “We do not think that the current version of the action plan is ready for adoption. We think that the action plan has still to be amended and discussed”. It will also be necessary to finalise the appropriate format for these discussions.
Germany stressed the “need for transparency of the consultation process”. Günter Gloser, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the fact that emphasis is placed on the environment (where there is need to “work twice as hard”), and the economy. Germany is willing to play the role of leader on certain subjects (biodiversity, training, tourism, energy and promotion of SMEs). Mr Gloser also called for third countries to participate in the work. By way of conclusion, the Baltic Sea strategy should serve as an example for other macro-regional strategies in Europe.
Hungary supports an innovative strategy and was very interested in the strategy for the Danube river basin, which could follow that for the Baltic Sea region.
Austria gives its “unreserved support” for the Baltic Sea strategy. To the question: “Will the unity of the EU be undermined by a strategy of this kind?”, Federal European Affairs Minister Michael Spindelegger answered: “I do not think so”. He sees no contradiction between the unity of the EU and such cooperation which, in his view, would be an excellent model for showing that one can work better in certain regions. Third countries must be involved in the work, Austria concluded.
Denmark hailed the initiative. Some fear the Community approach will be diluted, but Denmark does not see the situation like this at all. On the contrary, it considers that the Baltic Sea strategy is a way to make the EU work more effectively, by creating a s ort of “laboratory” of cross-border cooperation initiatives. Latvia considers priority must be given to strengthening energy cooperation. Lithuania also welcomed the strategy. Slovakia above all stressed the need to strengthen economic cooperation. Also, according to Slovakia, the future strategy on the Danube river basin deserves to be granted equivalent importance.
The Commission took the floor again to say, in particular, that Russia had showed itself to be keen on taking part in discussions on the strategy.
Five years after enlargement, the region is facing urgent problems, including the deterioration of the Baltic Sea, the mediocre quality of transport networks, barriers to trade and energy supply security problems. Difficulties have been made worse by the lack of effective coordination. (L.C./transl.jl)