Address By Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Paet

14th Council of the Baltic Sea States Ministerial Meeting
13 June 2007, Malmö


Dear Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, more than fifteen years after the foundation of the CBSS, it is a generally acknowledged fact that our organisation has played a significant role in the development and progress of the community of nations around the Baltic Sea towards social maturity and increasingly harmonious interstate relations.

Over the years the CBSS has managed to identify and promote a considerable number of valuable initiatives in the realms of democratic institutions and civil security.

Looking back at the achievements of the CBSS endeavours during the past decade and half, we can, with assurance state that thanks to the coordination of activities among the member states the results achieved in the said areas of activity are surprisingly good.

However, despite the undeniable positive results of the work of our organisation, it is time for some updating and reforms in order to better cope with the challenges of the 21st century.

A study carried out in Estonia in 2005/2006 about the assessment of relevant state institutions of the work of the CBSS showed that the attitude of Estonian civil servants towards the CBSS was overwhelmingly positive.

In this sphere, special mention was made of tax administration and customs issues, border control, emergency services, children at risk, youth and culture. It was pointed out by the specific Estonian authorities that cooperation in these areas has been very productive and beneficial.

At the same time it was noted that there were some sectors where cooperation was necessary but was clearly inadequate. This is especially true of such areas as economics and energy. In connection with transport and border control it should be noted once again that the ambitious goal according to which crossing the border between any CBSS member states should never take more than two hours has remained as unrealistic as ever. Neither have we managed to remove all the barriers hampering cross-border business. On the contrary. As it has been in matters concerning the protection of the environment.

Examples of both successful and less successful instances of cooperation are numerous. The question today is, however, how to make our cooperation more productive and successful, to give it more added value.

Allow me now to present some of the basic principles which in my opinion should be born in mind when planning the work of the CBSS.

Firstly, it is important that projects initiated and promoted by the CBSS spring from clearly perceived needs, as well as serve well-defined and motivated purposes.

Secondly, the CBSS should primarily address issues that are not adequately dealt with by other international bodies. And initiate projects which are actual and do not exceed its capacity. This does not, of course, mean that the CBSS should not participate in joint projects with other regional organisations like the Barents Euro-Arctic Council or the Nordic Council. But the CBSS should avoid all activities that may lead to duplication, thus being a waste of resources.

Thirdly, real added value can only be achieved when all the member countries participate in the agreed upon projects seriously, in the process making their adequate contributions. If a country does not find participation in a particular project useful or practical, then this should be stated openly. This is especially important in the case of large multilateral projects in the sphere of environmental protection, border control, taxation and customs, among others.

The observation of this principle presupposes solidarity among the member states in the pursuit of our common goal – the consolidation of the position of the Baltic Sea Region as the most rapidly developing region in Europe. Solidarity in this context calls for a considerate attitude towards each others’ as well as our common interests.

At this juncture I would like to recall one of the priorities of the Swedish presidency: Cultural heritage as a resource, which, in my opinion, is a concern that warrants constant and keen attention. After all, respect for one’s and for one’s neighbours’ cultural heritage helps to understand helps to understand each others’ interpretations of history. This in turn will facilitate the shaping and strengthening of a common identity – the so-called sense of Baltic-ness.

As for the reform and streamlining of the CBSS, I would like to suggest that it should be considered very carefully. Reforms and changes should are carried out not for their own sake but by bearing in mind the long-term goals of the organisation. I therefore give my full support to the idea of formulating a strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and of making an analysis of the functions and efficiency of the various working bodies of the CBSS. For, I do believe that despite its limited means and resources the CBSS has a great roll to play as an umbrella-organisation in enhancing the added value of the Baltic Sea cooperation.

Dear colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to conclude by expressing my gratitude to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs for the excellent job they have done during their presidency. At the same time I would also like to express my appreciation of the priorities – education, energy and civil security – that have been chosen by our Latvian colleagues for their period of presidency as well as to wish them success in their endeavours for the benefit of all the CBSS member countries and their peoples.

Thank you