1. BSSSC AND COOPERATION IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION ANN IRENE SAETERNES, International coordinator EASTERN NORWAY COUNTY NETWORK

2. BALTIC SEA REGION = DIVERSITY EU-members, non-members: Norway, Russia Rapidly changing and developing region Prosperity and challenges: - Economic growth - Cultural diversity - Environmental challenges - Sustainability in wider perspective Security and Democracy

4. KEY WORDS to meet our challenges Networking Cooperation Involvement Working together

5. BSSSC Towards a strong competitive Baltic Sea Region

6. BSSSC’s vision Release potentials through cooperation cross boarders (national-, sector-, level of government) – stimulate Involvement of regional and local authorities and civil society – governance Concrete actions Political will Financial means and instruments

7. CBSS long-term priorities for Baltic Sea Region cooperation Environment (including climate change) Economic development (include innovation and competitiveness and a favourable business environment, fostering entrepreneurship, cluster development, maritime economy, transport & logistics, research and development, customs cooperation and well- functioning labour markets) Energy ( include energy security, energy efficiency and saving, renewable energy and the impact of energy on the environment) Education & culture (include the EuroFaculty concept, student and academic mobility, upgrade of science and research network capacity, cultural heritage, contemporary culture and the promotion of regional identity) Civil security & the human dimension (include the fight against trafficking in human beings, the protection of children’s rights, nuclear and radiation safety, civil protection, as well as consumer protection, youth affairs, people-to-people contacts and the promotion of tolerance)

8. BSSSC 2006 – 2008: KEY AREAS 1. Transport and Infrastructure 2. Maritime Policy incl. the marine environment 3. Sustainable energy & Climate change 4. Quality of Life/Public Health YOUTH NETWORK

9. Vision under NO Chairmanship Sustainable economic development in the whole region – stability and security for the inhabitants Transport and infrastructure – accessibility remove bottlenecks, east-west connection, sustainable transport, cities and hinterland Maritime policy – turning BSR into a model region in Europe. Helcom Action-plan to be implemented Sustainable energy, energy security (mix), measures to combat climate change Quality of life in cities and rural areas

10. Cooperation partners BSSSC BSC - CPMR B7 UBC BDF CBSS BSPC NCM Nordic Council BaltMet

11. JECP KEY AREAS - Analysis of the current Energy and Climate situation in the BSR - Addressing concerns and considerations of the regional level on Energy and Climate issues to the high political level - Raising awareness among the inhabitants of the BSR - Further involvement of a broader range of actors (representatives of business, science, NGOs) working with Energy and Climate-related issues and obtaining financial support to implement joint activities - A broader involvement of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Russia

12. BSSSC 2009 – 2010: KEY AREAS 1. Science and Education 2. EU Baltic Sea Strategy 3. Maritime Policy 4. Climate change and Sustainable development 5.Youth cooperation 6.Better use of EU programmes 7. Public Health and Quality of Life 8. Cooperation with Russia and ND 9. Transport and Infrastructure

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14. The EU Strategy – The Big Themes The 4 pillars : Environment: to improve the environmental state of the Baltic Sea Region, the largest brackish water system in the world Economy: to make the Baltic Sea Region more prosperous by better networking, better shared ideas, breaking down barriers and better economic development Energy and transport: to make the region more accessible and attractive, for its inhabitants, for its labour force and for tourists Safety and Security: to prevent accidents in the Region, reduce dangers and work together to solve crimes and sort out problems

15. The Priority Areas, The Flagship Actions Action Plan, with 15 Priority Areas, inc. 80 Flagship Projects Priority Areas (examples) Environment: - to reduce nutrient inputs to the sea to acceptable levels - to become a model region for clean shipping Prosperity: - to exploit the full potential of the region in research and innovation Accessibility & Attractiveness: - to improve access to, and the efficiency and security of the energy markets - to improve internal and external transport links Safety and Security: - to reinforce protection from major emergencies at sea and on land

16. The Guiding Principles for the EU Strategy for the BSR Better alignment of policy development at the European level, at the Baltic level Better use of existing funding, esp. via EU programmes at all levels but also national, regional, local, IFIs, private sector Better coordination in implementing EU legislation, cutting red-tape Better coordination on practical matters between all countries inc. Russia, Norway, Belarus, in the region

17. Part-financed by the European Union Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007 – 2013

18. “To make the Baltic Sea region an attractive place to invest, work and live in” Priority 1. Fostering innovations Priority 2. External and internal accessibility Priority 3. Baltic Sea as a common resource Priority 4. Attractive and competitive cities and regions 46 Transnational co-operation projects 16 projects11 projects 6 projects 13 projects

19. Cooperation partners outside BSR The BSSSC membership of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) should be used for mutual information on political issues as well as for concrete cooperation within areas of common concern - for example on Sustainable Energy and Youth. As the network and platform of the BSR sub regions, BSSSC have signed a co-operation agreement with the Committee of the Regions (CoR). Cooperation with the Intergroup Baltic within CoR BSSSC should keep close contacts and a permanent working relationship with the European Baltic Intergroup of the European Parliament

20. Important focus areas for the future of BSSSC Continue to promote the interests of BSR subregions towards national authorities, EU institutions and others – in close cooperation with other BSR organisations and interest groups. Further develop BSSSC as an important organisation for sub- regional interests in BSR. Strengthen cooperation with Russian subregions in BSR. Continue and develop participation of youth in BSSSC work and act as a platform for youth cooperation on subregional level in BSR.