Conversation with Balticness

Closely Engaged
Out of 11 CBSS Member States Norway is one of three non-EU members. Like Iceland, Norway has a close relationship with the EU through the European Economic Agreement and strong multilateral cooperation with Russia through the Northern Dimension Framework. Will Norway as a non-EU Member take a different approach from recent presidencies to cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region?

As you point out, the CBSS is an organisation that consists of both EU and non-EU members. The European Commission is also a member. Both Norway and Iceland have a close relationship with the EU through the agreement on the European Economic Area. The Russian Federation cooperates with the EU in other ways. The EU, the Russian Federation, Iceland and Norway are all linked together in the Northern Dimension structure, in which the CBSS is also a participant. This close framework of cooperation is an advantage to the CBSS, and the organisation functions as the intergovernmental organisation of the Baltic Sea region in this architecture. The organisation works within a limited multilateral context and is a forum for both political dialogue and cooperation. Under its Presidency, Norway will seek to make the CBSS more visible and increase the understanding that the region needs an efficient forum for intergovernmental cooperation that includes all the countries of the region. We are not planning any radical changes during our Presidency, but we need to continue the work of previous presidencies to make the CBSS more relevant. We are prepared to participate in an open exchange of views on the organisation’s role and position in the region. We will continue the good work laid down by the previous Lithuanian and Danish presidencies with special emphasis on two operational priorities: maritime policy and the fight against human trafficking.

Norway is engaged with the regional councils in northern Europe. In a recent development the Foreign Ministers of the five Nordic countries and the three Baltic countries established a group of “wise-men” to provide them with a comprehensive analysis and recommendation on how to advance cooperation within the long-established Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) framework. These recommendations were discussed when you and the other Ministers met on 26-27 August 2010 in Latvia. What bearing do you think this could have on the cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region and especially to relations with Germany, Poland and Russia if and as the NB8 cooperation deepens?

The ministerial meeting in Riga in August discussed the NB8 wise men’s report, and agreed on a process to implement some of its many recommendations. There have been close ties between the countries in the region for centuries, and the Nordic–Baltic cooperation was revitalised after the Baltic countries regained their independence in the early 1990s. Contacts were established at various levels: between politicians, civil servants and civil society. In the area of foreign policy cooperation, regular meetings are held to discuss regional, European and global matters of mutual interest. All eight countries participate in various political cooperation forums or circles and each is valuable in its own way. The wise men’s report on enhanced Nordic–Baltic cooperation does not imply that the CBSS is redundant. Neither does the Stoltenberg report on enhanced cooperation between the Nordic countries play down the relevance and importance of the Nordic–Baltic cooperation.

One of the first engagements of the Norwegian Presidency on behalf of the CBSS was with the Parliamentarians of the Baltic Sea Region at the annual Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference which took place this year on 29-31 August in Åland. The BSPC has two working groups, on Maritime Policy and Civil Security (including Trafficking) and for the first time these priorities coincide with those of the CBSS Presidency. These groups already work in close coordination with the CBSS but does Norway foresee any further concrete actions for enhancing synergies between the intergovernmental and parliamentary cooperation platforms on these or other issues?

As a member of the CBSS, Norway has always underlined the importance of close links between the intergovernmental cooperation platform and the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC). The CBSS needs parliamentary support and back-up to be able to carry out its mission and reach its goals. Besides, all the member countries’ governments should welcome the discussion of Baltic Sea issues in national parliaments. The Presidency had the pleasure of participating as an observer at the most recent BSPC conference in Mariehamn at the end of August. We welcome the resolution that was adopted at the conference. We are particularly pleased about the strong focus on what are also the Norwegian Presidency’s priority areas: maritime issues and the fight against human trafficking. We believe that the BSPC annual resolution should be studied closely by all member countries’ governments, as well as in the CBSS Secretariat, and that it should inspire us to increase even further cooperation and development in the region. The question of having the CBSS report back to the BSPC on how the resolution of the previous year has been followed up by member countries and by the organisation itself has been discussed in the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials on earlier occasions. The deliberations showed that there is not a consensus among members on the preparation of such a consolidated report. This does not mean that members are inclined to ignore the BSPC annual resolution. On the contrary, they attach central importance to it. However, some members argue that member countries should report back to their national parliament on an individual basis rather than reporting to the BSPC through the CBSS. As Presidency we need to respect this, because the CBSS works on the basis of consensus. It is our hope that the BSPC will keep up its valuable engagement in Baltic Sea issues and thereby contribute to development and cooperation in the region. During our Presidency, we are prepared to explore new ways and platforms for continuing this good relationship, together with the BSPC.

Norway has chosen Maritime Policy as one of its main priorities and will chair the CBSS Expert Group on Maritime Policy for the year. The Expert Group was newly established in 2009 and marks a new direction for the Council’s work. One priority set by Norway in the coming year will be the use and distribution of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Baltic shipping. Could you talk about your other plans for the group and the resonance that maritime issues has in particular to Norway?
I doubt that it will come as a surprise when I say that maritime policy resonates strongly in a maritime nation such as Norway, and that this will be reflected in the actions of the CBSS during our presidency. The Baltic Sea is one of the areas in the world with the highest density of ships, and maritime activities are central to the economic development of the region.

There are, however, challenges related to the negative environmental effects of increased shipping that need to be dealt with. It is important that the maritime industry develops as a sustainable transport alternative without reducing its competitiveness. Concern has been voiced regarding new environmental regulations. In our opinion we should not reopen the debate on Annex VI in the IMO, concerning prevention of air pollution from shipping. It would not be politically defendable or acceptable to postpone or modify the requirements, nor would it serve the long-term interests of the environment or of shipping. To avoid negative effects of the forthcoming regulations on Emission Control Areas, existing technologies should be developed as alternatives to the use of high-priced low-sulphur bunker oil. One of these alternatives is an increased use of LNG in Baltic shipping, and will, as you mention, be a priority.

Although the Expert Group has existed for a little more than a year, it has already identified several other important focus areas. An interactive communication dimension will be developed to complement a data bank on maritime policy in the region. This will be developed into a virtual communication platform on the CBSS website, and will also be available for the general public.

Another task for the Expert Group during this period is to initiate and facilitate the development of maritime economic clusters in the Baltic Sea region. The aim will be to combine and co-ordinate regional interests, strengthen visibility and enable a regional maritime policy dialogue between business and political decision-makers. With this in view, we should facilitate stronger interaction and cooperation between the maritime clusters in the region. During the Norwegian Presidency this activity is to become more focused and more concrete.

When it comes to projects, the group has already entered into a regular and constructive dialogue on cross-sector pilot projects in maritime policy within the framework of transnational cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. During the Norwegian chairmanship of the Expert Group, our aim is to make this cooperation more concrete, for instance by raising project results to the political level, as appropriate.

Staying with Maritime Policy, in his address at the 8th Baltic Sea States Summit Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg noted the linkage between sea transport, energy and the environment, and he also commended the Finnish Prime Minister for bringing the environmental challenges of increased shipping traffic to the table - one of those challenges being the potential for oil spillage in the Baltic Sea Region, which has become more pertinent since the Mexican Gulf disaster this summer. Could you perhaps detail how closer links could be forged between the cooperation mechanisms in the region like the Helsinki Commission, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, the CBSS Expert Group on Sustainable Development - Baltic 21, the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation (BASREC) and the recently established Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics as well as recently adopted flagship projects under the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, to meet these challenges?

There are many good reasons why Norway has chosen maritime policy as one of its priorities for its Presidency. I have already mentioned that shipping is very important for the economic development of the region. Norway is a shipping nation with long traditions, also in the Baltic Sea. The EU has adopted an integrated maritime policy, for which it will use the Baltic Sea as a testing and implementation area. Moreover, the Russian Federation is a key shipping player in the Baltic Sea and we all need to listen carefully to Russian views on how safe shipping can best serve all the countries in the region. There is no doubt that the oil spill disaster in the Mexican Gulf has made a deep impression, also in our region. We need to be prepared for a worst case scenario in the Baltic Sea. Focus must therefore be placed on preparedness, safety and security. The CBSS Expert Group on Maritime Policy needs more time to define its role and overall functions. But there will be a strong link to both environment and energy. There are already relevant organisations and strategies, such as HELCOM and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, that are focusing on maritime-related issues. There is no point in doing overlapping work. Thus, the Expert Group should adapt its work and role to what is going on already.

Norway gives high priority to the fight against trafficking in human beings which is reflected by your choice to highlight this work as the other main focus area for the year. Norway is chairing the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings and will continue to implement the strategy and project activities agreed under the Danish Presidency until the end of the 2010. In your address at the 15th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States held in Elsinore in June of 2009 you gave firm support to the work done in this area by the CBSS and stressed the need for countries to ratify the Council of Europe Convention and strive to set up independent monitoring mechanisms to measure the progress our countries are making. Trafficking is a global problem, looking further afield now for a moment what do you see as the pressing issues when tackling this crime?

Human trafficking has been a cause of deep international concern for many years now. We have managed to establish a global international framework for combating trafficking with the Palermo Protocol, and a strong regional instrument with the Council of Europe Convention. The challenges addressed in these international documents still remain the most pressing issues: the prevention of trafficking, the prosecution of criminals and the protection of victims. In short, we must implement the commitments we have all undertaken.

Concerning preventive measures, we need to strengthen and continue efforts to reduce recruitment in countries of origin. Norway supports projects in transit countries and countries of origin with this in view.

In addition to preventive measures, we must reinforce international cooperation between the police and prosecution authorities. Common strategies must be developed, and joint investigations carried out.

Above all, we are committed to a human-rights based approach to trafficking. Two of the main challenges are identifying victims and giving them appropriate assistance and protection. Countries still have a long way to go in achieving these aims.

The Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings has recently begun to focus on the issue of trafficking for labour exploitation. It is understood that as this is one of the identified trends in the region that warrants attention, it will be a central aspect of the TF-THB strategy for 2011. What else would Norway like to concentrate on within the work of this group specifically as well as in general in the Council when tackling this issue?

The expert group will need to put a lot of effort into the broad topic of labour exploitation. Developing efficient training schemes and enhancing cooperation between relevant authorities, for example between the police and labour inspectorates, is demanding work. There can be no doubt that labour trafficking is on the rise in our countries, and all CBSS countries must now fully recognise this problem and share experiences. The expert group should develop ideas for information campaigns against trafficking, drawing on experiences from the pilot information campaign in Sweden. The work on identifying gaps in data collection mechanisms in the region will continue, as well as cooperation with researchers. But, I reiterate, the key issue is putting an end to trafficking for labour exploitation. We cannot accept the spread of this evil, which brings misery to so many people in our region.

Taking a look at the organisation as a whole against the background of the changes brought about by the process of reform, how does Norway see the future of the organisation in terms of building a project portfolio which is both strategic and important for the region and which will complement the existing projects in the portfolio?

Developing the CBSS into more of a project organisation is certainly a considerable challenge. The organisation does not have a tradition of project work; it has limited experience, and no project fund of its own to draw on. Building up such a fund in the present financial circumstances will be very difficult for the CBSS member countries. To succeed in developing a project portfolio, the CBSS therefore needs to cooperate closely with other organisations in the region and mobilise external financial resources. And there are several such organisations, some of which have available funds and the necessary expertise to implement projects. The CBSS will also need to develop its own organisation, with a stronger emphasis in the future on recruiting more staff members with project management experience. Again, overlapping work must be avoided and the CBSS should pay heed to the work and functions of other cooperation entities in the region.

Norway currently hosts the Secretariats of two other organisations in the region, the Arctic Council in Tromsø and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in Kirkenes on the Russian border. After some 40 years of negotiations, Norway has this year reached an agreement with another CBSS Member State, Russia, on the bilateral maritime delimitation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean which opens up “new prospects for cooperation in the north on resources, trade and industry, employment opportunities and people-to-people cooperation” in the words of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. How do you see this potential and the cooperation needs of the far North developing in the future, especially with regards to climate change, trade and energy?

The agreement on the delimitation in the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean offers great potential for future development of resources in the High North. Continued bilateral, regional and international cooperation is important to ensure that we develop this vulnerable region in the best possible way for future generations. A strengthened role for the Arctic Council will be key in these efforts.

With regard to climate change, the Arctic is experiencing some of the most rapid effects of climate change in the world. The rate and severity of these changes are expected to increase. Melting ice in the Arctic will affect the rest of the planet through increased global warming and rising sea levels. Changes in the Arctic will also affect the weather and ecosystems all over the globe such as the Asian monsoons and the deserts of Africa. The Arctic is not where the consequences of climate change will be most severely felt, but it is where they are first seen. The Arctic region is therefore very important for international climate change research and for international cooperation in order to secure a peaceful, stable and economically sustainable region also for the future.

Historically, there has been a fair amount of trade across national borders in the Arctic region, for example the “Pomor” trade between Russia and Norway. One of the goals of the Norwegian Government’s High North strategy is to increase trade and commercial activity in the north. This will not be limited to further developments of traditional industries such as fisheries, oil and gas, extraction of minerals and tourism. We also need to create new and innovative knowledge- and science-intensive industries such as marine bio-prospecting.

Finally on energy: there are important renewable and non-renewable resources in the Arctic. The prospect of developing the Arctic petroleum resources is one of the main reasons for the increasing international interest in the region in recent years. Some estimates indicate that the area may have significant petroleum deposits – perhaps more than 20 per cent of the world’s total undiscovered resources.

Petroleum activities are already taking place in the Arctic. However, governments will have to maintain their focus on developing sound policies and management plans that balance concerns related to oil and gas production, fisheries and environmental protection, taking into consideration the harsh climate and vulnerable eco-systems. Since 2007, we have developed close cooperation with Russia on the establishment of common health, safety and environmental standards for petroleum activities in the Barents Sea.

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More information on the CBSS and from the Balticness Autumn 2010 issue.