State Secretary Elsbeth Tronstad, Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

BSSSC Jubilee Dinner Speech, 25 October 2002

Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation (BSSSC), 10 ^th BSSSC Conference, Lillehammer, Norway

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me open by saying that I very much appreciate the invitation to attend this conference of the Baltic Sea Subregional Cooperation. I would also like to compliment the organizers on the excellent arrangements they have made here in Lillehammer.

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I would also like to take this opportunity to address our Russian guests and the grave situation in Moscow. From the Norwegian Government, we strongly condemn this act of terror. No cause can justify such actions. I would like you to know that we deeply feel with you in this serious situation.

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This conference has brought together a great number of people. It illustrates the fact that one outstanding quality of the Baltic Sea cooperation is the extensive networks that have been built up over this decade. On a festive occasion like today, however, I would also like to recall all those networks that flourished over the whole of the previous millennium. Networks have been the rule rather than the exception. The Hanseatic trading network stretched right across our region, from Novgorod in the east to Bergen in the west, with Lübeck on the southern Baltic shore as its centre. It lasted for several centuries. Pilgrims from the southern part of our region passed through Lillehammer for many centuries on their way to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. They were going to visit the shrine of St. Olav, who was the most prominent and widely worshipped saint in the northern part of the Baltic Sea Region. Thus our meeting here today is simply a continuation of a very old tradition.

Today, Norway’s approach to the Baltic Sea Cooperation is one of political support and substantive participation. We are very much in favour of the comprehensive nature of the Baltic Sea Cooperation, and we feel we can make the best contribution by concentrating our efforts on certain sectors, mainly health, nuclear safety and energy, all of which are important factors for ensuring sustainable development in our region.

And development of the region is of course our major concern. I am sure you will all agree with me when I say that without stability and security there will be no development. And the presence of these fundamental conditions can only be ensured by societies where freedom of action is combined with a sense of responsibility. This applies to both the public and the private sector.

The Baltic Sea Region has been undergoing rapid political, economic and social transformation for more than 10 years now. As I stated at the Baltic Development Forum Summit in Copenhagen last week, this poses a great challenge. We need transformation and we need freedom: freedom to promote democracy, to create jobs and better living conditions for people, to take better care of the environment and to achieve many more of the important goals we are so confidently aiming for. But as with so many things in life, there is also a negative side. Transformation has also led to corruption and organized crime. And there are other evils we have to combat: the abuse of power, environmental problems, grave social problems, an increased sex trade, child abuse and many more.

These are serious threats and we must deal with them in the years to come by means of joint measures implemented by all the countries in the region.

Some progress has been made. Nevertheless we are still facing formidable challenges. We must intensify our efforts to combat trafficking in women and to deal effectively with the evils of corruption. We must face the fact that racism and xenophobia are present in our societies, both west and east of the Baltic Sea. We must do all we can to combat this. This also applies to you: the actors in local and subregional political and administrative structures in the Baltic Sea countries. These challenges are also yours.

Our work must be based on the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, transparent democratic governance and respect for the environment. These are fundamental values that must be maintained, consolidated and continuously reinforced at regional, national and subregional levels. There is no alternative. If we all adopt this as our code of conduct, the Baltic Sea Region will be an even better place to live in in the future.

As I have already said, Norway’s policy is to give strong political support to the Baltic Sea Cooperation and to take an active part in it. The wide range of fields covered by the cooperation is one of its great advantages, and this is where all of you come in. I know you are all doing very important work. I wish you every success in your continued efforts for the benefit of all the peoples of our region.

Thank you for your attention.