Press Release

No.: 6/00
Date: 01.02.2000

Council of the Baltic Sea States:

11 ministers of trade to Bergen- conference 7-8 February

The Norwegian Minister of trade and industry Mr. Lars Sponheim hosts the third Ministerial Conference on trade and economic co- operation in the Baltic Sea region. The conference takes place at Radisson SAS Hotel, Bryggen.

The conference will be attended by 10 of the member states’ 12 ministers of trade, and by the Ukrainian minister of trade. Poland and Germany will be represented by state secretaries. I addition to the Ukraine, the session will be attended by observers from France, Italy, UK, USA, the EU Commission, and a number of international organisations.

On the agenda:

• Reducing barriers to trade and investments, with border crossing, fight against corruption and certification as suggested topics.
• Facilitating a favourable business environment for SME’s, with information exchange, communication and IT- network as suggested topics.
• The EU Northern Dimension and co-operation in the Baltic Sea region

A press conference is held on 8 February at 3.00 p.m. The press is also welcome to attend during Mr. Lars Sponheim’s opening speech.

For further information and registration, please call Ms. Sandra Clark, The Royal Ministry of Trade and Industry, tel +47 22 24 01 27.

Contact:
Øistein Øisjøfoss, telephone +47 22 24 01 25
Sandra Clark, telephone + 47 22 24 01 27