Address by Ambassador Raul Mälk at the 10th Baltic Council in Riga, Latvia
18 December 2004
Mister Chairman,
Honoured Members of the Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We can look back upon the outgoing Latvian presidency of both the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Baltic Assembly with appreciation and gratitude. Now it is time to look ahead. The upcoming Estonian chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers will be a challenging one in at least two respects. First and foremost – EU and NATO membership has changed the nature of cooperation between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. And secondly -- the new structure of cooperation will have to be tested in this new environment. It is time to verify the efficiency of the decisions made concerning the reform of the BCM. Thus, the making of reforms is over -- it is now time for serious work and stability.
Allow me to now turn to the six main priorities of the Baltic Council of Ministers for the year 2005, which were approved by the Cooperation Council this morning.
First -- Baltic and regional cooperation.
The activating of the Baltic Council of Ministers’ new modernized structure primarily means the closer coordination of the activities of the senior officials’ committees and the politicians, who had, up till now, functioned quite separately. We have to ensure good understanding and substantial dialogue on all BCM working levels so as to be able to deal with all essential questions concerning Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We will continue discussions with the Nordic countries regarding the further possibilities for cooperation that are becoming available as Nordic cooperative structures are opening up, and we will participate in the substantive work of the various levels of NB8 cooperation. And, last but not least, we intend to work in the most cooperative manner with the Baltic Assembly at the secretariat and committee level, and, of course, in the Baltic Council.
Second -- cooperation in the energy sphere
I. Standardisation of the regulations concerning the electricity market in the Baltic states
The goal is to ensure the faultless functioning of the connection between the Baltic and Nordic electricity markets that may be created with the completion of the undersea cable Estlink. In this context, the Baltic countries’ legislation dealing with the electricity market must be approached in a more unified manner. We have to ensure for the consumer the establishment of objective electricity rates. A separate question is the need to formulate a unified legislative approach to the matter of electricity provided by Russia. Under discussion will also be other possible new power connections -- Lithuania-Poland, Lithuania-Sweden, etc.
II. Development of the Baltic natural gas market
Many ongoing projects dealing with the natural gas market, like the profitability study of the new European-Russian gas pipeline and the profitability study of the Estonian-Finnish gas pipeline, could, in a major way, affect the development of natural gas markets in the Baltic states. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate the activities of the countries involved, in connection with the influencing of these processes.
III. Reducing energy dependence
The endeavours to reduce the energy dependence of the Baltic states is influenced by many developments -- the closing of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Station, new connections with neighbouring states, the consolidation of energy firms, etc. Therefore, a constant exchange of information and analyses concerning these developments and influences is necessary for reducing the energy dependence of the Baltic region.
IV. Formulation of common positions in the European Union decision-making process
Cooperation is necessary for the presentation of preferences concerning TEN-E projects, for the formulation of draft directives and the eventual implementation of the directives, for explaining our positions concerning the EU-Russian dialogue, etc.
Third -- the transport and communications sphere
I. Further development of the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica infrastructure projects
The development of the Via Baltica highway system has reached the final phase. Lithuania has declared that it has fulfilled its planned investment program. Estonia still has to complete the Pärnu bypass reconstruction project, which will take place in the construction period of 2006 – 2007. Latvia still has to build its Riga bypass.
Rail Baltica, on the other hand, is a new and rather vast joint transport infrastructure development project. The cooperation structures have already been established and are functioning, and in 2005, a study will be launched encompassing the two regions. Rail Baltica has been entered into the EU TEN-T priority projects list.
II. Cooperation between the Baltic states for the co-functioning of the two official railroad regulation codes (COTIF and SMGS as well as SMPS codes), which will become effective simultaneously
Lithuania and Latvia have joined the COTIF Convention (Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail). Estonia has not yet done so.
III. Cooperation in the maritime sector
The main areas of cooperation are the establishing of the Baltic Sea’s environmental vulnerability status and the future commitments/activities deriving from this. Also, the Baltic Council of Ministers will deal with maritime navigation safety and the security of harbours
Fourth -- cooperation in the defence and security sphere.
I. Cooperative defence projects
BALTRON, BALTNET, and BALTDEFCOL have been the primary factors, which have made it possible for the Baltic countries to develop their defence capabilities. But now it is time to find solutions that are more appropriate for NATO Member States, since NATO membership is accompanied by much more advanced requirements and opportunities. After NATO accession, the aforementioned cooperation projects continue to serve us mainly as structures for carrying out various training programmes. But the physical infrastructure, which has, over the years, been cooperatively established, does not just disappear. For instance, the monitoring and controlling of airspace in the Baltic states is today based upon the BALTNET communications network.
II. Air policing
Continuing to maintain the policing of the airspace over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is a matter of NATO reliability. Therefore, it is in the Baltic states’ interest, that NATO continues to control and monitor the airspace here on the basis of the established standards (24/7, etc.). At the same time, it is clear, that our partners expect us to increase certain contributions, which means that detailed plans are being made for the quick renovation of the required airfields (Šokniai, Lielvarde, and Ämari). This extensive and expensive project will definitely be best dealt with cooperatively.
Fifth -- environmental cooperation
I. Protecting the maritime environment of the Baltic Sea
Cooperation is aimed at having the Baltic Sea declared a particularly sensitive maritime area, which means, that it is a region especially vulnerable to pollution. Another primary objective is to have the navigation of the Baltic Sea by single-hull tankers fully banned. We will jointly support subsequent endeavours in international organisations and within the framework of regional conventions.
II. Implementation of concluded bilateral and trilateral agreements
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have concluded agreements dealing with the protection and use of cross-border bodies of water, the evaluation of cross-border environmental influences, and the protection of cross-border natural resources. Within the framework of every agreement there are plans for at least one meeting of a bilateral joint commission, or of appropriate experts, with the objective of launching the formulation of joint plans. These would have the objective of protecting nature, and of planning for the management of the international Koiva basin, as well as of establishing a basis for the regular exchange of information.
III. Cooperation and exchange of information within the framework of the EU
The goal is to begin exchanging information on a regular basis concerning the environmental issues to be debated by the EU Council in 2005.
Sixth -- cooperation in the home affairs sphere
The precise defining of work in the sectors covered by the modernised Committee on Home Affairs, and the subsequent starting of substantive tasks, is a concrete challenge for the following months.
I. The fight against the trade in human beings and narcotics, as well as against illegal migration
We are all familiar with the seriousness of these problems, which is why they are given primary importance in this sphere of cooperation.
II. Cooperation and the exchange of information within the framework of the European Union
The goal is to exchange information, as well as to introduce and coordinate positions concerning the EU’s internal matters. Special attention is to be paid to preparations for accession to the Schengen legal space, with the aim of developing cooperation of the police, border guard, and migration boards to the required level during the accession preparation period.
As you know, joining both the euro space and the Schengen visa space are two important challenges for our countries during the following two to four years. Our readiness to join the Schengen visa area will be determined by Schengen evaluations, the formulation of which will start during the first half of the year 2006. The action plans for the whole process are to be adopted at the beginning of 2005.
It is important to coordinate the activities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, so that our three states may join the Schengen area at the same time. Both the national parliaments and the Baltic Assembly will play a role in this process. Therefore, this matter will be of the utmost importance on our agenda not only in 2005, but also for some years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2005 is the first full year of our membership in both the European Union and NATO. The period of celebrating is over. Now it is time to make use of the opportunities offered by this new era. The Baltic Council of Ministers is indeed looking forward to extensive cooperation with the Baltic Assembly, which is presently in the process of carrying out its own reforms. Finally, I would like to stress, that we need much more coherence to guarantee success in these new conditions.
Thank You
Mister Chairman,
Honoured Members of the Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We can look back upon the outgoing Latvian presidency of both the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Baltic Assembly with appreciation and gratitude. Now it is time to look ahead. The upcoming Estonian chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers will be a challenging one in at least two respects. First and foremost – EU and NATO membership has changed the nature of cooperation between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. And secondly -- the new structure of cooperation will have to be tested in this new environment. It is time to verify the efficiency of the decisions made concerning the reform of the BCM. Thus, the making of reforms is over -- it is now time for serious work and stability.
Allow me to now turn to the six main priorities of the Baltic Council of Ministers for the year 2005, which were approved by the Cooperation Council this morning.
First -- Baltic and regional cooperation.
The activating of the Baltic Council of Ministers’ new modernized structure primarily means the closer coordination of the activities of the senior officials’ committees and the politicians, who had, up till now, functioned quite separately. We have to ensure good understanding and substantial dialogue on all BCM working levels so as to be able to deal with all essential questions concerning Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We will continue discussions with the Nordic countries regarding the further possibilities for cooperation that are becoming available as Nordic cooperative structures are opening up, and we will participate in the substantive work of the various levels of NB8 cooperation. And, last but not least, we intend to work in the most cooperative manner with the Baltic Assembly at the secretariat and committee level, and, of course, in the Baltic Council.
Second -- cooperation in the energy sphere
I. Standardisation of the regulations concerning the electricity market in the Baltic states
The goal is to ensure the faultless functioning of the connection between the Baltic and Nordic electricity markets that may be created with the completion of the undersea cable Estlink. In this context, the Baltic countries’ legislation dealing with the electricity market must be approached in a more unified manner. We have to ensure for the consumer the establishment of objective electricity rates. A separate question is the need to formulate a unified legislative approach to the matter of electricity provided by Russia. Under discussion will also be other possible new power connections -- Lithuania-Poland, Lithuania-Sweden, etc.
II. Development of the Baltic natural gas market
Many ongoing projects dealing with the natural gas market, like the profitability study of the new European-Russian gas pipeline and the profitability study of the Estonian-Finnish gas pipeline, could, in a major way, affect the development of natural gas markets in the Baltic states. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate the activities of the countries involved, in connection with the influencing of these processes.
III. Reducing energy dependence
The endeavours to reduce the energy dependence of the Baltic states is influenced by many developments -- the closing of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Station, new connections with neighbouring states, the consolidation of energy firms, etc. Therefore, a constant exchange of information and analyses concerning these developments and influences is necessary for reducing the energy dependence of the Baltic region.
IV. Formulation of common positions in the European Union decision-making process
Cooperation is necessary for the presentation of preferences concerning TEN-E projects, for the formulation of draft directives and the eventual implementation of the directives, for explaining our positions concerning the EU-Russian dialogue, etc.
Third -- the transport and communications sphere
I. Further development of the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica infrastructure projects
The development of the Via Baltica highway system has reached the final phase. Lithuania has declared that it has fulfilled its planned investment program. Estonia still has to complete the Pärnu bypass reconstruction project, which will take place in the construction period of 2006 – 2007. Latvia still has to build its Riga bypass.
Rail Baltica, on the other hand, is a new and rather vast joint transport infrastructure development project. The cooperation structures have already been established and are functioning, and in 2005, a study will be launched encompassing the two regions. Rail Baltica has been entered into the EU TEN-T priority projects list.
II. Cooperation between the Baltic states for the co-functioning of the two official railroad regulation codes (COTIF and SMGS as well as SMPS codes), which will become effective simultaneously
Lithuania and Latvia have joined the COTIF Convention (Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail). Estonia has not yet done so.
III. Cooperation in the maritime sector
The main areas of cooperation are the establishing of the Baltic Sea’s environmental vulnerability status and the future commitments/activities deriving from this. Also, the Baltic Council of Ministers will deal with maritime navigation safety and the security of harbours
Fourth -- cooperation in the defence and security sphere.
I. Cooperative defence projects
BALTRON, BALTNET, and BALTDEFCOL have been the primary factors, which have made it possible for the Baltic countries to develop their defence capabilities. But now it is time to find solutions that are more appropriate for NATO Member States, since NATO membership is accompanied by much more advanced requirements and opportunities. After NATO accession, the aforementioned cooperation projects continue to serve us mainly as structures for carrying out various training programmes. But the physical infrastructure, which has, over the years, been cooperatively established, does not just disappear. For instance, the monitoring and controlling of airspace in the Baltic states is today based upon the BALTNET communications network.
II. Air policing
Continuing to maintain the policing of the airspace over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is a matter of NATO reliability. Therefore, it is in the Baltic states’ interest, that NATO continues to control and monitor the airspace here on the basis of the established standards (24/7, etc.). At the same time, it is clear, that our partners expect us to increase certain contributions, which means that detailed plans are being made for the quick renovation of the required airfields (Šokniai, Lielvarde, and Ämari). This extensive and expensive project will definitely be best dealt with cooperatively.
Fifth -- environmental cooperation
I. Protecting the maritime environment of the Baltic Sea
Cooperation is aimed at having the Baltic Sea declared a particularly sensitive maritime area, which means, that it is a region especially vulnerable to pollution. Another primary objective is to have the navigation of the Baltic Sea by single-hull tankers fully banned. We will jointly support subsequent endeavours in international organisations and within the framework of regional conventions.
II. Implementation of concluded bilateral and trilateral agreements
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have concluded agreements dealing with the protection and use of cross-border bodies of water, the evaluation of cross-border environmental influences, and the protection of cross-border natural resources. Within the framework of every agreement there are plans for at least one meeting of a bilateral joint commission, or of appropriate experts, with the objective of launching the formulation of joint plans. These would have the objective of protecting nature, and of planning for the management of the international Koiva basin, as well as of establishing a basis for the regular exchange of information.
III. Cooperation and exchange of information within the framework of the EU
The goal is to begin exchanging information on a regular basis concerning the environmental issues to be debated by the EU Council in 2005.
Sixth -- cooperation in the home affairs sphere
The precise defining of work in the sectors covered by the modernised Committee on Home Affairs, and the subsequent starting of substantive tasks, is a concrete challenge for the following months.
I. The fight against the trade in human beings and narcotics, as well as against illegal migration
We are all familiar with the seriousness of these problems, which is why they are given primary importance in this sphere of cooperation.
II. Cooperation and the exchange of information within the framework of the European Union
The goal is to exchange information, as well as to introduce and coordinate positions concerning the EU’s internal matters. Special attention is to be paid to preparations for accession to the Schengen legal space, with the aim of developing cooperation of the police, border guard, and migration boards to the required level during the accession preparation period.
As you know, joining both the euro space and the Schengen visa space are two important challenges for our countries during the following two to four years. Our readiness to join the Schengen visa area will be determined by Schengen evaluations, the formulation of which will start during the first half of the year 2006. The action plans for the whole process are to be adopted at the beginning of 2005.
It is important to coordinate the activities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, so that our three states may join the Schengen area at the same time. Both the national parliaments and the Baltic Assembly will play a role in this process. Therefore, this matter will be of the utmost importance on our agenda not only in 2005, but also for some years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2005 is the first full year of our membership in both the European Union and NATO. The period of celebrating is over. Now it is time to make use of the opportunities offered by this new era. The Baltic Council of Ministers is indeed looking forward to extensive cooperation with the Baltic Assembly, which is presently in the process of carrying out its own reforms. Finally, I would like to stress, that we need much more coherence to guarantee success in these new conditions.
Thank You
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