Conference on the future of the Baltic Sea Region in Europe Hamina (Finland), 27-28 August 2009

Speech by Vice-President Knud Andersen

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Colleagues,

Allow me shortly to introduce myself. My name is Knud Andersen, I am vice president of the Congress of the Local and Regional Authorities of Europe and regional councillor in the Copenhagen Capital Region of Denmark.

I have been actively engaged in interregional cooperation and regional policy in the Baltic Sea Region for several years. The Baltic Sea Region has a huge potential for development and prosperity – we just need to work together and pool experiences and efforts in order to create a competitive macro region within Europe and in a globalised world market.

Being a representative of local and regional government in Europe, it goes without saying that in my opinion local and regional authorities are fundamental and important players in the creation of a strong Baltic Sea Region.

The Congress is the voice of Europe's regions and municipalities and provides a forum where local and regional delegates can take part in the formulation of the European policies, gather their experiences and express their views to governments. The Congress acts on all aspects of local and regional policies and co-operates closely with national and international organisations representing territorial governments. Its aims are to analyse the specific needs of populations; to launch initiatives to bring democracy closer to the citizen, and to boost regional and cross-border co-operation (working for peace, tolerance and economic growth). One of the key objectives of the Congress, which brings together representatives of territorial authorities belonging to 47 European member states, is precisely to promote co‑operation between local and regional authorities.

This applies also to the Baltic Sea co-operation initiatives.

In recent years, the Congress has devoted considerable efforts to reinforcing the co-operation between local and regional authorities located in proximity to semi-closed European seas.

 

We know that direct cross-border co-operation between local and regional authorities offers solutions to the shared problems of their citizens. Inter‑territorial co-operation fosters mutual understanding between neighbouring countries and peoples, strengthens and legitimises the institutions of local democracy and promotes high-quality political and economic relations. Populations living in the same area - even if separated by a sea or a border - establish social and economic ties: this creates a climate of confidence, improves tolerance, creates good neighbourly relationships and increases the standard of living of the citizens. The seas are no longer perceived as a barrier and, if correctly managed, they can represent a common resource and a common opportunity!

As far as the Baltic Sea is concerned, inter-regional co-operation has been developed over many years and is well established. Borders in Northern Europe which had been closed for years are no longer dividing lines, prohibiting co-operation and peaceful collaboration. The experience of neighbouring regions in the Baltic countries could be transferred to other border regions. The Baltic Sea co-operation initiatives could also serve as an example to be followed in other areas where there have previously been conflicts or difficult relationships.

I therefore welcome that the European Commission has launched the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.  I do believe that a strategy will lead to closer integration and cooperation in the region and contribute to the branding of the Baltic Sea Region as a competitive region not only in Europe but globally.

The Baltic Sea Region is already a dynamic region characterized by high levels of trade, cooperation and exchange on many levels. But the region has the potential to prosper even more. If the Baltic Sea Region is to develop even further, there is a need for a joint and coordinated approach to the development of the region. The strategy for the Baltic Sea Region can ensure this.

The Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is likely to become the model for how the future cooperation in the EU is organised.

However, I see two main factors essential to the success of the strategy. Firstly, it is very important to include the neighbouring countries and regions bordering the Baltic Sea outside the EU in the continuous work with the Baltic Sea Strategy, as they play an important part in the development of the region. Joining the EU and non EU members in the work for the development of the Baltic Sea Region is an obvious goal and an area for mutual cooperation between the Congress, the Council of Europe and the EU.

Secondly, I must stress that the success of the Strategy also relies on the active partnership of both local and regional authorities not only in the implementation but also in the strategic discussions about the future of the Baltic Sea Region.

Thank you!