BSPC

Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference

Presidency

The 28th BSPC unanimously appointed
Mr Valerijus Simulik,
Member of the Lithuanian Parliament
as President of the BSPC 2019-2020
as well as
Mr Jorodd Asphjell,
Member of the Norwegian Parliament,
and
Mr Pyry Niemi,
Member of the Swedish Parliament
as Vice-Presidents.

 

CV of BSPC President Valerijus Simulik 

Date of birth
2 August 1966

Place of birth
Šiauliai, Lithuania

Education
2002–2005
MA in Law, Studies of State Administration and Law, Mykolas Romeris University

2001–2003
MA in Management and Business Administration; specialisation: education management; Faculty of Social Sciences, Šiauliai University

1984–1988
Diploma of Teacher, Faculty of Physics-Mathematics, Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute (currently Šiauliai University)

1975–1984
Secondary School No 14 (currently Lieporiai Gymnasium) in Šiauliai

Work experience
1994–2000
Principal, Gytariai Secondary School in Šiauliai (currently Gytariai Progymnasium)

1991–1994
Deputy Principal for Teaching and Development, Secondary School No 21 (currently Šventupio Secondary School) in Šiauliai 

1988–1991
Technician, Department of Physics, Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute

1988
Physics Teacher, Secondary School No 36 (currently Palemonas Secondary School) in Kaunas

Political career
Since 2016
Member of the 12th Seimas
Member, Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union Political Group
Chair, Committee on Human Rights
Member, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs
Head, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly

Since 2014
Chair, non-governmental movement For Šiauliai
2012–2016 Member of the 11th Seimas
Member, Committee on European Affairs (2012–2015)
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Member, Commission for Ethics and Procedures (2015–2016)
Deputy Chair, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs (2015–2016)
Member, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly

2008–2012
Member of the 10th Seimas
Member, Deputy Chair, Committee on Human Rights
Member, Committee on European Affairs
Member, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs
Member, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly

2004–2008
Member of the 9th Seimas
Member, Committee on Education, Science and Culture
Member, Constitutional Commission
Head, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly

2000–2004
Member of the 8th Seimas
Chair, Committee on Education, Science and Culture
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Member, Anticorruption Commission
Member, Commission for Ethics and Procedures
Member, Commission on the Problems of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
Member, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs
Member, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly
Member, Seimas Delegation to the Assembly of Western European Union
Member, Seimas Delegation to the Assembly of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

2000–2003
Member, Šiauliai City Municipal Council; Chairman, Committee on Education and Culture, Šiauliai City Municipal Council

Miscellaneous
Membership: Member, Šiauliai Branch, Lithuanian School Masters’ Association (since 1995); President, Schoolchildren’s Basketball League (2000–2003); President, Lithuanian Schoolchildren’s Sport Association (2000–2004); Member, Lithuanian Branch, LIONS Clubs International; Member, Vilnius Branch, LIONS Club (since 2004); Founder and Member, association Volunteer Security Forces.

Awards: Commemorative Badge for Personal Service to the Course of Lithuania’s Trans-Atlantic Integration; Medal of the Baltic Assembly; Commemorative Badge from the Department of Physical Education and Sports for the development of children’s sports, Olympic Star award by the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee for service to Olympic sports in Lithuania

Interests: regional policy, education and science, human rights, activities of non-governmental organisations, leisure activities of school-age children

Activities: radio amateur having an individual call sign; Member, Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society (since 1985); Member, radio club Vytis (since 1999); Member, Lithuanian Radio Sport Federation; lectures on Globalisation and Eurointegration at the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Culture

Hobbies:  reading, radio sport

Languages:  Lithuanian, English, Russian

Family
Married with one daughter

 

CV of BSPC Vice-President Jorodd Asphjell

Parliamentary terms
2017–2021 Member of the Storting for Sør-Trøndelag County
2013–2017 Member of the Storting for Sør-Trøndelag County
2009–2013 Member of the Storting for Sør-Trøndelag County
2005–2009 Member of the Storting for Sør-Trøndelag County

Storting committees
2017–2021
Member, Standing Committee on Education and Research 19.01.2018 – 30.09.2021
Member, Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration 12.10.2017 – 19.01.2018

2013–2017
Member, Standing Committee on Justice 17.10.2013 – 30.09.2017
Member, The Election Committee 08.10.2013 – 30.09.2017

2009–2013
Member, Standing Committee on Health and Care services 20.10.2009 – 22.03.2013
Member, Standing Committee Local Government and Public Administration 22.03.2013 – 30.09.2013

2005–2009
Member, Standing Committee on Health and Care services 19.10.2005 – 30.09.2009
Parliamentary delegations

2017–2021
Member, Delegation to the Nordic Council

2013–2017
Member, Delegation to the Nordic Council

2009–2013
Member, Delegation to the Nordic Council 25.10.2012 – 30.09.2013
Substitute member, Delegation to the Nordic Council 22.10.2009 – 30.09.2012

2005–2009
Substitute member, Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Local government
1999–2003 Deputy Mayor, Orkdal Municipal Council
1987–1999 Member, Sør-Trøndelag County Executive Board
1983–1987 Member, Orkdal municipal council

Political appointments
1983–1985, 2005– Board member, Sør-Trøndelag Labour Party
2003–2007 Chair, Orkdal Labour Party organisation
1977–1985 A number of offices in Labour Youth League at the local, county and national level

Education and work experience
1997–2005 County secretary, Sør-Trøndelag County Labour Party
1994–1997 Self-employed
1980 Qualified in the graphic trades
1977–1994 Printer

 

CV of BSPC Vice-President Pyry Niemi

Current assignments

Member of Parliament
Ordinary member

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Member

Committee on Cultural Affairs
Deputy member

Committee on European Union Affairs
Member

The Swedish Delegation to the Nordic Council
Member
Chair

 

All assignments

Member of Parliament
Ordinary member 2010-10-04 – 2022-09-26

Committee on Environment and Agriculture
Deputy member 2014-10-07 – 2018-09-24
Member 2010-10-12 – 2014-09-29

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Member 2018-10-02 – 2022-09-26
Member 2014-10-07 – 2018-09-24

Committee on Defence
Deputy member 2010-10-12 – 2014-09-29

Committee on Cultural Affairs
Deputy member 2018-10-02 – 2022-09-26

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
Deputy member 2019-05-09 – 2019-06-12
Deputy member 2018-11-15 – 2018-12-05
Deputy member 2018-05-15 – 2018-06-14
Deputy member 2017-11-14 – 2017-12-15
Deputy member 2017-05-02 – 2017-06-14
Member 2016-11-15 – 2016-12-14
Deputy member 2016-04-12 – 2016-05-25
Deputy member 2015-11-17 – 2015-12-16
Deputy member 2015-04-14 – 2015-06-16
Deputy member 2014-11-20 – 2014-12-17

Committee on European Union Affairs
Member 2015-10-21 –
Deputy member 2015-03-26 – 2015-10-21
Member 2010-10-12 – 2014-10-07

The Swedish Delegation to the Nordic Council
Member 2014-10-07 – 2019-10-31
Chair 2018-12-04 –
Member 2018-10-24 – 2018-12-04

Asphjell addresses European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments

BSPC Vice-President Jorodd Asphjell from Norway points out the crucial importance of further measures to reach the 2030 United Nations sustainable development goals as soon as possible before 2030. The European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments brought together Speakers and Presidents of the parliaments of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe; of […]

The BSPC at the 53nd General Assembly of the PABSEC in Baku: Asphjell and Niemi underline the close current and future cooperation on the parliamentary level

BSPC President Jorodd Asphjell stressed at the 53rd plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation the close cooperation between the BSPC and the PABSEC – marked by the common memorandum of understanding and the recent meeting of both Standing Committees in Istanbul to increase the efforts for safeguarding our oceans […]

The BSPC at the XX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg: Asphjell calls for stricter action on national level

The BSPC at the XX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg: Asphjell calls for stricter action on national level BSPC President Jorodd Asphjell and the representative of the delegation of the Finnish Parliament to the BSPC, Maria Tolppanen, attended the XX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” on 21-22 March in St. Petersburg. […]

BSPC at the 52nd General Assembly of the PABSEC in Yerevan: Asphjell stresses the urgent need for peaceful neighbourliness and intensification of environmental protection

BSPC President Jorodd Asphjell underlined at the 52nd plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation the expectation of the BSPC to make every effort to ensure peaceful and close neighbourliness and close cooperation based on democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and equal opportunities for all. To this […]

27th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference successfully concluded – Norway takes over the Presidency of the BSPC

The 27th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Mariehamn was an outstanding success. With the unanimous adoption of the resolution on cooperation, a heathy Baltic Sea, sustainable energy and smart energy distribution, migration and integration as well as economic development and growth in the BalticSea Region the conference was successfully concluded. The conference appointed Jorodd Asphjellfrom Norway […]

The BSPC at the Parliamentary Assembly of the South-East European Cooperation Process: Carola Veit underlines the importance of parliamentary cooperation and partnerships between the various parliamentary forums

At the Parliamentary Assembly of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, BSPC Vice-President Carola Veit underlined the crucial importance of parliamentary cooperation and partnerships between the various parliamentary forums. “Parliamentary cooperation and peaceful and constructive dialogue are now important elements of our efforts to promote sustainable development and the well-being […]

BSPC at the 47th Plenary Session of Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations: Pettersson points out the crucial necessity of strengthening interparliamentary cooperation and supports cultural dialogue

BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson and the head of the delegation of the Finnish Parliament to the BSPC, Kari Kulmala, attended the 47th Plenary Session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations in St. Petersburg. In his address to the Assembly, Jörgen Pettersson highlighted the necessity of strengthening the interparliamentary cooperation as well as […]

BSPC at XIX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg: Pettersson urges for more stringent action on national level

BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson and the head of the delegation of the Finnish Parliament to the BSPC, Kari Kulmala, attended the XIX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” on 22-23 March in St. Petersburg. In his address to the Forum, Jörgen Pettersson underlined the fundamental importance of a constructive dialogue and close cooperation especially in […]

BSPC meets CBSS

BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson and BSPC Secretary General Bodo Bahr had an insightful conversation with the Chairman of the Senior Officials of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Ambassador Hans Olsson, the Deputy Director of the CBSS Secretariat, Bernd Hemingway and representatives of all units of the CBSS Secretariat on 20 March in the […]

Keep in touch

BSPC Secretary General Bodo Bahr | Schlossgartenallee 15 | 19061 Schwerin | Germany | +49 171 5512557 | bodo.bahr@bspcmail.net