Tillbaka

The Baltic Sea Region has great potential for further progress

02.12.2011

This year marks the 20th anniversary of a seminal event: In 1991, the three Baltic States finally managed to discard decades of occupation and regain their independence. Since then, there have been quite remarkable developments in the region.

The biggest and most promising change is that a region previously full of potential conflicts and divided by rigid barriers has now evolved into a region of peace, democracy and co-operation.

Tolerance can never mean that the society should accept or tolerate behavior that endangers peoples freedom or human rights. Gender equality and a positive mind to multiculturalism is something that societies should strive for. Tolerance in this sense, is a positive element and a good base for democracy.

Democracy can, however, not be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and safeguarded.

The Baltic Sea Region has great potential for further progress in economic development, safety and security issues, social welfare and environmental protection. But to realize that potential and continue to benefit from the region’s opportunities, we must also improve our ability to manage the strains brought on by development.

Many serious environmental problems persist in the Baltic Sea Region. Eutrophication is, unfortunately, a concern that we have still not fully managed, and so remains a real risk of a total collapse of the Baltic Sea's eco-system.

The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is a central tool for restoring good ecological status of the Baltic Sea by 2021. Some progress has been recorded. However, all the governments have not managed to launch National Implementation Programmes in time. It is necessary for them to shape up and start implementing concrete projects and financing mechanisms. Otherwise, there is a real risk of failure of reaching the 2021 goals.

Maritime oil transports are growing in volume and frequency. This heightens the risk of collisions and oil spills. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance safety at sea by developing a Baltic-Sea-wide vessel traffic and ship reporting system.

An expansion of nuclear power generation in the Region makes it necessary for Governments to adopt extremely stringent conditions and regulations for construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants;

It is equally necessary to grasp the opportunity to intensify efforts to promote the development of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and green technologies.

Concerning civil society a fundamentally serious problem in the region is organized crime, in particular the trafficking in human beings. It is necessary for Governments and agencies to take powerful measures so that police, public prosecutors, social administrations and help organisations are given resources to combat the profiteers and take care of the victims.

The EU Baltic Sea Strategy is a step forward in the EU’s perception and management of Baltic Sea Region issues. However, it is necessary that it is closely aligned with the Northern Dimension, which brings together both EU- and non-EU members as equal partners. No credible solution to any major challenge in the Region can be found if relevant stakeholders are excluded from cooperation.

The Baltic Sea Region is bustling with actors and initiatives. This provides a broad resource base and a battery of competencies. A strengthened, more regular and practical dialogue between stakeholders could be instrumental in better defining their comparative advantages, respective roles and modes of cooperation in dealing with the challenges of the Region.

Speech Christina Gestrin 1st December 2011 at Nordic Kick Off Forum organised by the Finnish Committee for European Security (STETE)