Finnish MP Christina Gestrin represented the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) at the XVI International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg on March 18-20, 2015. Gestrin emphasised the need to continue the environmental cooperation, despite political tension around the Baltic Sea.
“The constructive environmental cooperation must continue even in politically difficult times. The Baltic Sea Day is an important component of the efforts to promote a sustainable, green growth in the Baltic Sea Region”, said Gestrin.
“At BSPC’s conference last August we, the parliamentarians, urged the governments to proceed with strong efforts and dedicated resources for the continued improvement and modernization of the waste water treatment capacity throughout the entire Baltic Sea Region.
In opinion, the waste water treatment facilities in Kaliningrad have to be finished before the end of 2015, and that requires a continued cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region”, said Gestrin.
In her speech to the Forum “Baltic Sea Day” Gestrin reminded the Baltic Sea states to honour their commitment to prohibit discharge of sewage from passenger ships.
“In order to comply with stricter threshold values agreed by HELCOM, the Baltic Sea governments need to ensure continuous work to upgrade reception facilities for sewage in passenger ports in line with the Special Area Status of the Baltic Sea under Marpol Annex IV of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
We, the parliamentarians from all the EU-Member States of the Baltic Sea, share the opinion that the original dates for the prohibition of the discharge of sewage from passenger ships should be maintained.”
Christina Gestrin is a long-standing member of the Standing Committee, co-observer of the BSPC at HELCOM and former chairman of the organization.
For more information:
Christina Gestrin, +358 50 511 3121