Stronger Nordic-Baltic co-operation on transport policy after Balestrand meeting

The Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Transport met at Balestrand in Norway on June 20th and 21st 2006 (NB8-meeting).

As the Nordic co-operation in the transport sector from 2006 is no longer formally a part of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Ministers agreed upon the substance of co-operation and organisational structure for future co-operation.

- With the enlargement of the EU almost all of the Baltic Sea Region, with exception of Russia, has become subject to the EU transport policy. A lot of issues dealt with in bi- or multilateral fora are now part of the EU-agenda. Thus, creation of alliances will become more important in the future as a tool to strengthen a strong Nordic-Baltic Region. Therefore, I am very pleased that we in the future will strengthen the co-operation further, says the Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communications Liv Signe Navarsete.

During the meeting, Finland presented their priorities in the forthcoming EU Presidency. Other EU-related issues were also discussed. In addition, ITS Norway held a presentation of strategic and operational use of technology in the transport sector (Intelligent Transport Systems).

Press contact:
Information advisor Melita Ringvold Hasle
Ministry of Transport and Communications, phone number +47 95 12 19 83

Programme

List of participants

Press release in Norwegian