Endnote speech in the concluding plenary session

Endnote speech by Mr. Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, Chairman of Baltic Development Forum, in the concluding plenary session, Tuesday 31 October 2006.

 Excellencies, Members & Partners, Ladies & Gentlemen,

After two days of intense discussions and networking it now falls upon me to bring the 2006 Helsinki Summit to an end. Once again we have been able to enjoy fruitful debates and interaction with colleagues, competitors, partners, challengers and experts.

I am particularly delighted that we could arrange this year’s summit in connection with the Finnish EU Presidency. I was also pleased to see a broad representation in our debates from a wide range of countries, sectors and institutions from the Region as well as other parts of the world. The European Commission and Parliament as well as China, the US, and the UK are among the external actors that have been active during the Summit. I welcome this since we are connected with the world around us. 
This is an important recognition of the Baltic Sea Region as such, and a sign that we have strong allies outside the Region. I find this very encouraging for our future work.

Together we have indeed – once again – focussed on key issues and pushed the regional agenda yet another notch. The results will be conveyed to all relevant bodies such as the European Union, Council of Baltic Sea States, Nordic Council of Ministers, national governments and other important organisations and groupings.

* * * * *

The overall theme for this summit is how the Baltic Sea Region competes in the global playing field and remains on top as a leader and role model in terms of economic growth and prosperity for its citizens.
Summing up is not an easy task and it’s not my ambition to cover all aspects of this summit. Far from that! But let me cover some of them.

We all are aware that the Baltic Sea Region and the EU are facing common challenges in energy, global competition, environment, labour migration etc.
President Halonen and Governor Matvienko, at the opening of this summit last Sunday in Helsinki University, touched on several of these. They also underlined the interdependence between Russia and EU, where the New Northern Dimension plays a key role. We need to establish a true partnership in all of Europe and overcome critical barriers in order to take full advantage of the vast opportunities provided by the EU enlargement and the global economy. These are very important messages also for us in the Baltic Sea Region.

This is not the least important in our ambition to strive for excellence and being a driving force in Europe.

* * * * *

Let me get back to the questions I asked all of you to consider during these 3 days of this Summit.

• How do we stay competitive in the global economy?
• How can we assure energy safety?
• How do we further the relationship with Russia?
• What are the brilliant stories behind a global Baltic Sea Region identity – or brand?
  

First of all, “what we cannot measure, we cannot manage”. For the third consecutive year we launched a State of the Region Report. This is the factual starting point when we talk about the Baltic Sea Region’s business climate, competitiveness and innovation.
This excellent, regional tool gives us an understanding of what we do well and what we need to improve. The main conclusions from the Report shows that we have to keep a firm eye on the overall perspectives of growth and prosperity, and more specifically, on:

• jobs
• innovation
• entrepreneurship
• research and
• education

This is crucial if we are to sustain our lead in terms of the Lisbon goals, but also to develop our modern, global knowledge-based society.

* * * * *

So, what are the actions to be taken next?
Together with our partners and members, Baltic Development Forum intends to continue to push the Baltic Sea Region in its role as a global player competing on top of Europe. We will continue to define issues of critical importance to developing the region and bring people together to work out practical solutions to common challenges.

One such issue is energy safety – of critical importance for our global competitive position, our future prosperity and sustainable development. We had a truly constructive discussion on this topic yesterday, and it was particularly interesting to hear the insides of the informal discussions in Lahti Summit provided by Prime Minister Vanhanen.

We encourage the EU in their endeavour to establish a common energy policy, and from what I understand, we are not that far from it. This is very good news, and a joint regional input to the EU energy policy should be encouraged.

The overall EU – Russia relations should be actively supported by Baltic Sea Region countries to ensure a pragmatic and reciprocal energy dialogue supplementing the New Northern Dimension.

Furthermore, we have to continue our efforts to establish a true open market and freedom of investments for both partners. We welcome Russia and its north western region – St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad – to take an active involvement in European and Baltic Sea Region cooperation. 

The Baltic Sea Region should become a more visible and operational part of the European Commission’s policies and budget lines. In the struggle for a formal Commission initiative, the work done within the Regional institutions and in the European Parliament is crucial. However, existing regional institutions must optimize and coordinate their roles and activities in order to have true influence on the regional and European Agenda.

* * * * *

Baltic Development Forum we will continue to be engaged in several thematic issues important to Baltic Sea Region cooperation and development. Let me mention a few or them:

Financial integration. The financial institutions in the region are true pioneers in integrating the region into one big market. Baltic Development Forum will over the coming year work with several of them to raise public awareness about the importance of the financial market as a core pillar for growth and prosperity.

Freedom of movement and brain gain. At the periphery of Europe, we must take good care of our scare resources. We need to invest more aggressively in our human capital and in research. Drawing on the best resources of the entire region, we will be able to establish high quality research and academic institutions competitive on the global market.

Metropolises and non-metropolitan areas. Our Metropolises continue to be true drivers of growth and innovation in the region. Combined with the initiatives taken at the local level, outside the centers of gravity, they both constitute crucial elements of the development of our region. Infrastructure is an important area and we welcome recent initiatives in this field.

Transport and Logistics. On several occasion, we have heard of the insufficient transport and logistics system of our region. These gaps need to be mended if we are to meet the needs of the global needs of today and tomorrow.

Facilitated by the Baltic Development Forum and the Baltic Sea States Sub regional Cooperation (BSSSC), a High-level Group will have its constituting meeting later today to address this issue.

Tourism is a fast growing sector and consists of large untapped potentials. Within our attractive region, we need to understand that the true growth opportunities lie beyond mere national perspectives.

We call on the national tourist boards to take up a regional perspective to share knowledge and promote each other in order to enhance the benefits of co-branding. We should see the Baltic Sea Region as a world class tourism market. This is a great opportunity, let’s seize it!

* * * * *

Great ideas, vision and plans need funding to be realized.

In this regard, the Baltic Sea Region Interreg IIIB Neighbourhood Programme will continue to be a crucial tool for Baltic Sea Region development. It supports transnational initiatives teaming up public and private involvement and fosters innovation across the Region.

Baltic Development will, as a strategic partner to the Joint Secretariat, give crucial input to the development of the important programme for 2007-2013.

We have entered a new and accelerated phase in developing a cohesive and competitive reputation – a brand - for the Baltic Sea Region.

A new Branding website was launched just before the Summit. This is an open invitation for all stakeholders to contribute to the initiative. We hope to see many of you contribute with your insights.

In view of the clear indications from this Summit – and the suggested concrete stories to further spur the initiative – Baltic Development Forum will now formally contact and try to engage governments, the business community, metropolises, regional organisations, labour market parties and other key players to ensure further commitment and action.

* * * * *

In my opening remarks, I singled out one key characteristic of our region – values. Let me reiterate my deep worries by recent months’ physical attacks on people and democratic institutions in our Region. The building of free, democratic nations in the new Europe and a consolidation of our Baltic Sea Region is of concern to us all. So let us honour and support those who strive for freedom and prosperity within a democratic and transparent framework.

* * * * *

Passion and commitment are the most important tools to make the Baltic Sea Region a winner region in terms of growth, competitiveness and innovation.

In this regard, the results from the State of the Region Report 2006 are both an award and a wake-up call to all of us.

So, the overall conclusion we must draw from these year’s Summit is that we should as a Region remain competent rather than comfortable to stay global competitive on top of Europe.

* * * * *

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends, 

Once again I wish to thank all participants, speakers and moderators. I also want to extend my warm appreciation to our co-hosts – City of Helsinki and the Finnish Government – and our Summit Partner 2006 Nordea.

Last but not least, my sincere credit to my energetic BDF staff and summit volunteers. Thank you all for making this Summit a success. Let us give them a hand!

It only remains for me to say thank you, good-bye and see you all next year in Tallinn for the 2007 Summit.