The Barents Euro-Arctic co-operation has now entered its second decade on a successful note. It is providing clear benefits to the region itself, and also contributing to the broader aim of strengthening security and co-operation in Europe. The Barents Region has changed into an open area of multisectoral co-operation that takes the initiatives and interests of its people into account.

The political and practical co-operation in the Barents Region is a reflection of the expanding interface between the members of the European Union and Iceland, Norway and Russia in the high north. Norway will promote the extensive co-operation in the region as a vehicle for the implementation of the new Northern Dimension Action Plan and as a forum for relevant Euro-Atlantic initiatives.

Norwegian chairmanship programme

The key objective of the Barents co-operation is to promote sustainable development in all senses of the term - economic, environmental and social. Norway will promote market-based economic principles, good governance, the strengthening of civil society, democratisation, gender equality, the interests of young people, and the interests and involvement of the region’s indigenous peoples.

The Barents co-operation is a dynamic process involving a large number of actors within and outside the region. A new Barents generation has grown up for whom co-operation and contact across previously closed borders is a normal, everyday phenomenon.

The Norwegian chairmanship programme is in keeping with the principles underlying the Barents co-operation. It is based on the same central strategic priorities as the Swedish chairmanship, and the Russian and Finnish chairmanships before that. It also builds on the conclusions from the Prime Ministers’ summit in Kirkenes in January 2003, which was held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Barents co-operation.

Norway will give special priority to the following issues:

• Improvement of business opportunities, the reduction of barriers to trade and investment, and business co-operation. A well functioning economy is the basis of all development. All the countries of the region share a common feature: dependence on natural resources, including forests, fish, minerals and energy resources. The small and medium-sized enterprise sector needs to be further developed.
• Co-operation on education and training. A major issue will be the mutual recognition of qualifications, which will encourage academic exchanges, job mobility and the promotion of the region as a European knowledge region. Education and job prospects are a vital factor for young people when they are considering whether to stay in the region.
• Expansion of co-operation in the field of Justice and home affairs. This includes strengthening co-operation between the police and border and immigration authorities to combat cross-border crime. The initiative against trafficking in human beings will be further developed. Co-operation between correctional services has now started and should be enhanced. Norway will also promote exchange in the field of justice administration and the courts.
• Co-operation between emergency and rescue services. Simplified procedures for border crossings are necessary so that assistance can be provided in the event of major accidents, forest fires or other disasters. Norway will promote enhanced information sharing and shorter lines of communication in this field. The work that has been started will be tested on a larger scale during the planned Barents rescue exercise in September 2005 in Finnmark.
• Health will remain a priority also under the Norwegian chairmanship. Infectious diseases know no borders. The new Barents co-operation programme on health and related social issues will be an important instrument for co-ordinated action.

The Barents co-operation also provides a valuable arena for dealing with global challenges such as nuclear safety, climate change and the state of the environment.

Norway will work closely with its partners on the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, members and observers alike, and with the Barents Regional Council and its constituent members, in order to achieve further progress in all areas of the Barents co-operation.

Oslo, October 2003