The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen.
OSCE Workshop "Transport, Security and Environment" - Identifying best practices, Tønsberg 16 October 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I hereby welcome you all to this OSCE Workshop on Transport, Security and Environment in Tønsberg. The subtitle of the workshop "Identifying best practices" specifically spells out what I would call the very best of aims. It is therefore satisfactory to note that this workshop is about identifying best practices in the area of transportation.

I would like to credit the OSCE for putting transport on the agenda for 2006. Transport enhances regional economic cooperation and stability. Transport capability is a fundamental premise for globalisation and transportation is an engine of economic growth. The importance of efficient transport is not a new idea for the participants of this workshop. The regions of the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the high north have many similarities. Let this workshop be a hotbed for exchanging views, new ideas and best practices on our common challenges.

As you know the ancient Silk Road contributed to prosperity and trade in the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea has been linked to the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea by inland waterways. Furthermore, the Black Sea has been connected to the Mediterranean by the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara. And finally, for Norway – with its long coastline - sea transport was the primary means of communication and travel for thousands of years.

Today, producers in these regions need to find the best way to transport their goods to the markets. This rule applies to the private sector as much as it does to governments and countries.

A variety of products pass borders every hour all over the world. By its nature transportation brings countries and regions together. However, cooperation between neighbours - regions as well as countries - can be challenging. In regions with conflicts and tensions, transport is often restrained. This is likely to result in a lose-lose situation for either party.

Punctuality is essential for efficient transport. To achieve just-in-time deliveries, efficient loading between different means of transport and door-to-door transport are important. On a strategic level it is therefore important to promote transport corridors. In this context, the presentation on the TRASECA corridor, the old Silk Road, later today is something to look forward to. The presentation of the NEW corridor, possibly connecting China via Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland and Sweden to Norway by train, will also be interesting.

The second session of the workshop will focus on how we deal with current security, safety and environmental challenges in transport. Tragic acts of terrorism and organized crime show just how vulnerable infrastructure really is. Energy transports are especially vulnerable to these hostile acts, whether directed at pipelines, other infrastructure or transport means.

Globally, the increase in transport of goods and people has damaging effects on the environment. Road and air transport are the worst polluters under normal conditions. Transport by sea pollutes the least. However, maritime transport can in the case of an accident cause pollution. Related oil-spills or spills of other noxious substances can be disastrous for the environment, both at sea and along the coastline. This is why the Norwegian Government is concerned with strengthening maritime safety and oil spill preparedness in the high north, which is also the responsibility of my own Ministry.

The Norwegian Government is concerned with preventive measures as well as the emergency response in the event of an accident. Norway has also established excellent cooperation with the Federation of Russia on these issues in the high north. Our two countries perform shared drills and training on a regular basis, and we are developing a system for exchanging messages and information from ships in the area. In the high north, the harsh weather conditions are challenging during wintertime.

An excursion to the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s emergency response centre in Horten is set up for tomorrow afternoon. I hope you will find the visit interesting.

The third session of the workshop deals with how to promote regional co-operation on preparedness and response to oil-spills and other environmental risks, focusing on the Baltic, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. I hope you all will attend what promise to be vigorous and constructive discussions and working groups during the next two days in Tønsberg. Our common goal is to establish safe and secure transport corridors, while protecting a fragile environment. I wish you all the very best for this OSCE workshop and in identifying best practices within transportation.

Thank you for your attention!