Intro
The Baltic Sea is a central pillar of the new Northern Dimension policy program, which is seen by many as the most useful tool in enhancing the prosperity of the BSR. Cooperation with Russia has gained special focus in the new policy framework, already generating excellent results through partnerships in environment, public health and social well-being. The breakfast session discussed where the renewed Northern Dimension is heading and what the extended policies can do for the development of the BSR.
Main Messages
• The new Northern Dimension should be seen as the regional expression of the implementation of four common spaces in the EU-Russia cooperation, namely 1) economic cooperation, 2) freedom, security and justice, 3) external security, and 4) research, education and culture. – Pertti Torstila
• New partnerships should be established under the Northern Dimension policy program on transport and logistics, as well as education and research structures. – Pertti Torstila and Dimitri Bukin
• If the Northern Dimension is to be successful, it has to develop into a fully fledged EU-Russia policy. It is of utmost important in this process that the BSR is recognized by the Commission and the Council of Ministers as a part of the EU, just as the Euro Med group. Some type of formality, including a budget line, is needed – Christopher Beazley and Pertti Torstila
Themes
The Renewed Northern Dimension
Secretary of State, Pertti Torstila, stressed that the renewal of the Northern Dimension policy has been the first priority of the Finnish EU presidency. The ambition has been to extend, strengthen and enrich the Northern Dimension policy program. Special focus has shifted to cooperation with Russia. In order to renew and strengthen the commitment of all partners, it was agreed under the Finnish Presidency that a new common policy document should be negotiated and signed by all partners, including Russia, Norway and Iceland. Torstila explained that the new Northern Dimension should be seen as the regional expression of the implementation of four common spaces in the EU-Russia cooperation, namely 1) economic cooperation, 2) freedom, security and justice, 3) external security, and 4) research, education and culture.
The declaration of the common policy document is close to be completed and the finalization took place in Helsinki at the end of November. This policy paper will enhance practical cooperation between Europe and Russia on the basis of equal partnership and co-financing, Torstila explained.
There are several concrete areas where cooperation with Russia is vital. Among these are marine environment, transport safety, cross-border crime, and transportation and logistics. Cooperation within the framework of the Northern Dimension has already led to the establishment of two practical partnerships on environment, and public health and social well-being. The partnership model has already proved its strength, Torstila said.
In terms of the financial support of the Northern Dimension projects, there is no budget line. However, new funding sources have been found, such as the so-called Support Fund, which has approximately 225 million Euros for seed capital, donated by several EU countries and others. Finland is preparing its additional contribution to the Support Fund, and Torstila urged other countries to do the same. He emphasised that the brilliance of the partnership and the Support Fund lies in the leverage effect. Torstila described that a small input gives a big output, and small seed money leads to big projects.
Torstila also added that Finland would like to see new partnerships in transport and logistics as well as education and research structures.
Northern Dimension - EU
MEP and Chairman of Baltic Europe Intergroup, Christopher Beazley, supported the renewal of the existing Northern Dimension. He argued that if the Northern Dimension is going to be successful, it has to be more ambitious and has to develop into a fully fledged EU-Russia policy. He also emphasised that it is of utmost important in this process that the BSR is recognized by the Commission and the council of ministers as a part of the EU, just as the Euro Med group. Alexander Stubb’s report on a Baltic Sea strategy proposes a budget line for the BSR and calls for the council of ministers of the Baltic Sea Sates to meet prior to the EU summits. Beazley argued that some formality is needed in order to gain political support from the EU. Torstila agreed that an organized forum and formality are very important.
Beazley explained that common work in the BSR is needed in the areas of environment, economy, energy, foreign policy and culture. One important aspect is to have a common understanding of our cultural and historical background. He suggested that a joint commission is set-up by historians to look at the whole range of our cultural links.
According to Beazley the renewed Northern Dimension is a vital stepping stone to a permanent EU-Russia relationship, which will be potentially of enormous benefit for all parties. To be successful, it is important to have a common understanding of how we work together and how the implementation methods are of the agreements. Thus, Beazley proposed a common judicial framework, which, he admitted, was rather futuristic, but positively ambitious.
Northern Dimension - Russia
Elcoteq is a global, industrial service company strongly represented in the BSR. Founder and Member of Board of Directors of Elcoteq, Antti Piippo, spoke of the business perspective on the impediments to cooperation and partnership with Russia. He proposed that the New Northern Dimension program focuses on eliminating duties in Russia on components and products, developing technology parks and facilitating public funding to research and development to the technological industry. These improvements would lead to a more advanced, successful technological industry in the Northern part of Europe.
Counselor at the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Dimitri Bukin, stated that the process of the renewed Northern Dimension has not always been simple, but it is an example of a real partnership, constructing pillars between Europe and Russia. He urged not to lose dynamism and to create new projects as well as revive forgotten ones. He stressed that Russia welcomes the set up of a new partnership on transport and logistics. As well, Russian proposals concerning private and financial sector development are underway. Bukin emphasised that the Northern Dimension is a qualitatively new, equal partnership between EU-Russia-Norway-Iceland. “The Northern Dimension is different in many ways, as it is based on qualitative cooperation and equal partnership”, he said positively.
Moderator Penttilä pointed out that energy is not dominantly included in the Northern Dimension. Torstila replied by stating that the EU energy policy comes first and then follows the regional perspective, which is also the reason why energy has not received more emphasis.
Generally, all panelists were very positive to the new development of the Northern Dimension and saw good potentials for successful projects and partnerships under the renewed policy program in the future. Torstila added that Norway and Iceland are and should be just as important partners in the work of the Northern Dimension as the EU member states.
