Schierensee-declaration 2004

Ladies and gentlemen,
 
As you all know, the ancient noble estate of Schierensee is the memorial to one of the most important 18th century politicians of the Baltic Sea region, Caspar von Saldern.
 
Caspar von Saldern was the state minister of Catherine II of Russia.
 
And when Minister von Saldern left politics in the mid-1770’s, he retired to Schierensee.
 
It is in his honour that I have accepted to speak, today, with my old friend, the great German Foreign Minister for almost 20 years, Hans-Dietrich Genscher.
 
I thank you for the invitation.
 
The enlargement of the European Union is an enormous achievement.
We should all lend our support for it to be successful.

However, do not underestimate the difficulties ahead of us – both with regard to shattered expectations among the new members - or frustrations among the old members.

It will be hard work. This calls for political leadership. And – to be frank – when I look around in Europe today, I fear that Europe lacks the bold and decisive leadership of great leaders like Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Schmidt, Kohl, Jacques Delors – and my fellow speaker, Hans-Dietrich Genscher.
 
President Harry Truman was right when he once said: “In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress only occurs when courageous, skilful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better”.
 
Men make history - and not the other way around. Or should I say: Men - and women – make history, if they dare.
 
This is indeed the lesson of Catherine II of Russia and her State Minister, Casper von Saldern.
 
The foreign policy of Russia in the second half of 18th century was directed at the decision of three challenges:
 
·       Strengthening of Russia’s positions on the seacoast of the Baltic Sea;
 
·       Strengthening of Russia’s positions on the seacoast of the Black Sea and annexation of the Crimea;
 
·       Joining of Ukrainian and Byelorussian lands to Russia;
 
All of these three challenges were met.
 
Today, we might find them outdated and barbaric but one must respect that Catherine II and her ministers had a goal and went for it.
 
The same can also be said about Catherine II’s policies in the Baltic Sea region.
 
The armed neutrality treaty between Russia, Sweden and Denmark against England also came into force during the reign of Catherine the Great.
 
That was also a great achievement.
 
And although our Polish friends suffered much during her reign, it was indeed a time of Baltic unity.
 
Maybe because she more than any in history was a true child of the Baltic Sea Region. She was born in Stettin, then Germany, and now Poland. Her father was a German Prince and her mother was Princess of Holstein.

However, unity of the Baltic Sea region has never been greater than it is, today.
 
The enlargement brings about a new momentum for the Baltic Sea region.
 
The fact that the Baltic Sea area is the only major growth region in the enlarged EU, gives the eight EU members from the Baltic Sea an obvious possibility to play an increased role in the new EU.
 
Most of the Baltic Sea countries enjoy annual growth rates between 3 and 6%.
 
The Baltic Sea countries offer an invaluable contribution towards the Lisbon-goals to make Europe the most competitive region in the world by 2010.
 
The eight EU members from the Baltic Sea region must be willing to stand tall when the EU in the near future will discuss reform strategies. And we do indeed need reform strategies. We need a more flexible, dynamic and investment-friendly business environment in the Baltic Sea area and in the rest of Europe.
 
Goods and services will in the future be produced at lower cost in countries outside the region and outside Europe.
 
This aspect of the globalisation process demands that Europe devotes its resources to more innovative and knowledge-based purposes.
 
Therefore, governments must create and execute a new approach to industrial policy and labour market reform.
 
And I urge the Baltic Sea countries to demand a new approach within the EU.
Coordinating this approach could become a new and valuable task for the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
 
11 years ago, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and I together took the initiative to create the Council of Baltic Sea States.

The CBSS became a milestone in the Baltic Sea cooperation.
After our retirement we have both been active in launching the Baltic Development Forum.

This Forum is going to have its sixth Baltic Sea Summit in Hamburg in September.

Baltic Development Forum has recommended that our region acquire a more realistic sense of the level of integration and the over-all regional competitiveness before our leaders can define and deliver better framework conditions for investments.
 
We need to develop optimal framework conditions for regional and international investments and business.
 
And we should be painfully aware how best to prepare and position this region in view of the challenges from East Asia.
 
This is a key challenge for our region - and will be one of the main themes in Hamburg in September.
 
It is not a coincidence that Baltic Development Forum has chosen Hamburg for its next summit venue.
 
Both Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have for a long time proven to be stout supporters of the Baltic Sea cooperation.
They have both confirmed that Northern Germany belongs to the Baltic Sea area.
 
And let me use this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to First Mayor Mr. Ole von Beust and Minister Präsident Mrs Heide Simonis for their dedication to the work of Baltic Development Forum.
 
The good news is that Baltic Development Forum is also increasingly establishing very fine relations with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is important that this determination for Baltic Sea cooperation is expanded also to the federal level. We need Germany in the Baltic Sea region as much as we need Germany in Europe.
 
I am eagerly waiting for Germany to expand its activity and engagement in Europe again, not least in the increasing regional cooperation represented by the Baltic Sea region. And let me emphasize, the involvement of Russia is equally important in our region and in Europe.
 
A deepened economic integration of Russia into the European economy, is not only in Russia's self-interest but important for all of us.
 
This is the lesson of history.
 
This is the lesson of the reign of Catherine II and Caspar von Saldern.
 
And this is the lesson of today.
 
That is also why the Baltic Sea region is such an important region in Europe.
 
We serve as a bridge between Russia and the EU.
 
I urge that this region turns itself into a global frontrunner.
 
We must seek the momentum created by the enlargement and we must lead the way for the rest of the European Union and the world.

Only free and democratic nations can do that.

And today, after many years of turbulence, it is fantastic to be able to say that all of the Baltic Sea countries are indeed free and democratic nations.

They are all ready to promote the cause of political and economic freedom home and abroad. And that is why I am confident that we will succeed.

Thank you.