CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Members of the European Parliament,
Ladies and gentlemen,

EU and EEA enlargement and the parallel NATO enlargement are historic contributions towards a peaceful, stable, just, prosperous and united Europe.

The need for European unity in defence of peace and humanity was acutely demonstrated last week when the ugly face of terrorism again revealed itself, this time in Madrid. These were attacks on us all. In the democratic battle against terrorism it must be one for all, all for one.

Together we must continue to fight terrorism with determination and resolve. As a member of the wider European family we want to participate and contribute as Europe now closes ranks against terrorism.

As a Schengen partner, Norway is closely associated with important aspects of EU co-operation in the field of justice and home affairs. We have an association agreement with Europol, and are in the process of concluding agreements with Eurojust and in relation to the European Arrest Warrant. However, an even closer and broader dialogue with the EU on issues such as intelligence and terrorism would increase the effectiveness of our contribution.

The EU’s new security strategy corresponds largely with Norwegian policy. The approach outlined in the strategy is a broad-based one, with an emphasis on prevention through the combined use of the EU’s many resources. It aims at strengthening multilateral co-operation to combat terrorism and other security threats. It also emphasises Europe’s responsibility for contributing to security and stability in neighbouring countries.

Norway shares the objectives of the new European neighbourhood policy. We are just as determined as the EU itself to prevent new dividing lines from arising in Europe after the enlargement and to promote democratic and economic reforms and development in the EU neighbourhood. We want to see more democracy, more respect for human rights and the rule of law, and more political, economic and institutional reforms all over Europe. We are just as affected by shortcomings in this regard as any EU state.

Through the new financial mechanisms in the enlarged EEA, Norway will be contribute substantially to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Close to 235 million Euros – of which Norway will be contributing more than 95 per cent - will flow annually from the EEA/EFTA countries mainly to the new member states. This is a tenfold increase in our present contribution. In relation to its population, Norway will be one of the countries in Europe that provides most support to the new member states.

As a supporter of the objectives of the European neighbourhood policy, we want to assist in its implementation. Hence, we are prepared to discuss with the new member states and the European Commission whether the new EEA Financial Mechanism can supplement the Neighbourhood Programmes, especially in cross-border co-operation. I also believe we have some valuable experience to share in this connection, in particular from the Barents Euro-Arctic co-operation with Russia.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, there was concern that this could mean increased political and military insecurity in the north, and even the breakdown of the Russian social security system and an influx of illegal immigrants to Norway and other neighbouring countries. On the other hand, the disappearance of the Soviet Union also meant new opportunities for trade and investment, cultural contact and cross-border co-operation. The Barents Euro-Arctic co-operation between the five Nordic countries, Russia and the European Commission became the main vehicle for tackling the challenges and opportunities offered by Russia’s new situation in a multilateral context.

The Barents Council, which involves co-operation at central government level, and the Barents Regional Council, which involves co-operation at county level, have now been in existence for 11 years. A stabilising network of contacts and co-operation has been established, offering Russia a platform for a new type of co-operation with its neighbours. After an initial trial and error period, a relatively well functioning policy dialogue and co-operation on concrete matters have developed.

In the economic field, co-operation has fallen short of original expectations in important areas such as energy, forestry, mining and transport. But the improvements in the Russian economy, legal system and tax regime will eventually generate more progress in these and other fields.

The strength of the Barents co-operation lies in the direct interaction between regional authorities, 13 of them in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, and the co-ordination between central government policies and regional policies. There is an important additional layer of people-to-people co-operation, involving non-governmental organisations, individuals and associations of various kinds that have found common ground for contact and co-operation. Some of this people-to-people co-operation still needs support from public funds. However, we believe that this is a worthwhile investment, especially as regards the co-operation involving Russian youth, young entrepreneurs and other Russian citizens who are not part of an entrenched and obsolete power system.

Let me give a few practical examples of co-operation in the Barents region:

A joint cultural co-operation programme has been developed by the regional authorities in the four countries, with the aim of promoting the cultural qualities and identity of the region. A regional programme on youth issues has also been established with a view to getting young people to stay in the region, offering them interesting education and employment opportunities, etc.

Common environmental action programmes have been developed, for instance to attack the problem of water quality, promote cleaner production and eliminate environmental “hot-spots”. Local “Agenda 21” objectives have been formulated in a cross-border context.

The Russian part of the Barents Region, in particular the Kola Peninsula, has the world’s largest concentration of nuclear installations. These represent a threat to the vulnerable environment of the High North. There is also a real danger that nuclear material from these installations fall into the hands of terrorists.

Norway has worked closely with Russia in the field of nuclear safety since 1995. We have made good progress together, but the magnitude of the problem requires broad international involvement for years to come. I am encouraged by recent initiatives taken by the G8, within the European Union and by individual countries in this field. This gives hope that the problems may be overcome during the next 10 years. Norway remains committed to a strong role in this joint international effort.

Interregional co-operation on emergency and rescue services co-operation is being developed. In many border regions the closest ambulance or fire truck may be across the border in a neighbouring country. We are developing a legal framework and procedures that will make it possible to make better use of national and local resources in a regional context.

Successful co-operation has been established between prison authorities on health, human rights issues and general improvements in prison conditions. Concrete, practical co-operation has also been established between law enforcement agencies, for example on trafficking. Education and research are also among the priorities, including the promotion of mutual recognition of diplomas in a regional context and other measures to increase student and teacher mobility in order to meet the objectives of the Bologna process.

Most striking is perhaps the new principle of joint central-regional chairmanships of the working groups of the Barents co-operation. We already have one in the area of health co-operation where Finland and the Russian republic of Karelia jointly chair the working group. Main areas of co-operation include measures to combat the spread of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and lifestyle-related diseases. We believe that this joint chairmanship is the first example of such integrated co-operation with Russia. This is a way of fusing together the transnational and interregional aspects of co-operation.

The Barents co-operation is a partner in the Northern Dimension policies as well. Unfortunately, the Russians have been less than enthusiastic about some aspects of the new Northern Dimension Action Plan, including what they consider to be inadequate funding. This shows that it will always be important to develop the best possible dialogue when presenting new policy initiatives and to involve the partners step-by-step in the process.

The Barents co-operation has contributed to stability and political and economic progress in the region. Norway has gained considerable experience from regional cross-border co-operation in the North and, in my opinion, we have achieved a great deal. I therefore believe our experience and the Barents model of transnational and interregional co-operation in general could be useful in the further development of the European neighbourhood policy.

Thank you for your attention.