The Standing Committee of the BSPC met for a two-day meeting in Maribo, Denmark, focusing on increasing interconnectivity as well as on defence and regional security. The meeting also reflected the past Annual Conference, cooperation across the wider region, and further redefining the organisation’s structure. Connections were at the forefront of the conversation as on the second day of the meeting, Monday 13 November 2023, the Standing Committee would visit the Danish construction site of the Fehmarn Belt tunnel about to improve the connections between Scandinavia and continental Europe. The meeting included more than 30 participants from the Baltic Assembly, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the German Bundestag, Hamburg, Latvia, Lithuania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, Schleswig-Holstein and Sweden.
Introduction
BSPC President Henrik Møller explained that the area of Maribo had once been known for turnip production. These days, though, the Fehmarn Belt tunnel was being built to create a new connection between Denmark and Germany, setting completely new standards for transportation between both countries. It was raising the standard in this region and beyond. The Standing Committee would visit the site the following day.
He outlined that he had already represented the BSPC at two international events: At the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin, he had underscored solidarity with Ukraine, while at the Nordic Council session in Oslo, he had presented the central focal points of the Danish presidency: energy as the lifeblood of the Baltic Sea economy, defence as the cornerstone of regional security architecture as well as continued efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change. Mr Møller stressed that continued dialogue was more crucial than ever in these ongoing crises to overcome even the most challenging obstacles.
Follow-up to the 32nd BSPC
President Møller appreciated the work of the German Bundestag in organising this year’s conference, the excellent programme, and the vivid open political debates. He also praised the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum, which had been held back-to-back with the conference, for its engagement. The present members of the Standing Committee commented on the conference, highlighting the reception by the federal president of the Federal Republic of Germany apart from the political discussions. Regarding the Youth Forum, Secretary General Bodo Bahr underlined that the BSPC was currently the only organisation to include young people’s recommendations in their resolution.
Regarding that resolution, the president explained that, as every year, the delegations would send it to their governments, asking for a report on its implementation. For the deadline, the Standing Committee agreed on 15 April 2024.
Furthermore, it was noted that the written reports of the BSPC Rapporteurs on topics focused on by preceding working groups were available on the BSPC website, namely on Sea-Dumped Ammunitions, HELCOM, Integrated Maritime Policy, and Sustainable Tourism.
BSPC Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity
BSPC President Henrik Møller explained that there had been changes to the working group since the originally appointed chairperson, Mr Kaspars Briškens, had in the meantime, become Minister of Transport of Latvia and thus was no longer available for the working group. In his stead, Mr Andris Kulbergs, also from Latvia, had been named chairperson by the members of the working group, with Mr Philipp da Cunha from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Mr Marius Arion Nilsen from Norway as vice-chairs.
Mr Møller recounted the new working group’s first meeting in Riga, where they had visited exciting on-site facilities, such as Rail Baltica, along with high-level representation, among them the originally intended chairperson of the working group, now-Minister Briškens. Prof Jānis Vucāns provided some additional insight regarding the sites visited. The president noted that a detailed report was available on the BSPC website. He further explained that the working group had already set its upcoming meetings throughout the Danish presidency, along with which parliament would be hosting these.
The Standing Committee confirmed the appointment of Mr Andris Kulbergs as Chair of the BSPC Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity and took note of the further information.
BSPC Finances
As per the Rules and Procedures of the BSPC, the Standing Committee discussed its budget at this autumn meeting, in light of the intended changes to the structure of the organisation as well as the increased support for smaller parliaments hosting meetings and conferences. Ms Carola Veit, Mr Johannes Schraps, Mr Henrik Møller, Prof Jānis Vucāns, and Secretary General Bodo Bahr contributed. The Standing Committee decided to approve the current budget as well as maintain the sum of the contributions from the members for 2024.
Possible Joint Meetings of the BSPC with other parliamentary assemblies
The meeting discussed in-depth the conditions for joint meetings with other parliamentary organisations. It was strongly argued to avoid joint meetings with those not clearly distancing themselves from Russia. The meeting decided not to pursue joint meetings with other parliamentary organisations if an apparent distancing from the aggressor is not fulfilled.
The 33rd Conference in Helsingør in 2024
President Møller noted that preparations were in progress and that high-level participation was sought for the conference. Currently, they were in contact with appropriate representatives. Mr Møller, Ms Carola Veit and Mr Bodo Bahr considered increasing the framework for discussion among the parliamentarians. Prof Jānis Vucāns and Mr Johannes Schraps spoke about how the European elections might affect the invitations of EU representatives.
Future Accommodation of the BSPC Secretariat
Previously, an Enlarged Presidium Working Group had been formed, made up of the then-presidium under the German Bundestag presidency, enriched by former BSPC presidents, to explore this question. Their conclusion, after intensive and wide-ranging discussion had been to assign a BSPC representative to conduct negotiations with the Nordic House and the CBSS. Ms Kristina Herbst submitted a preliminary proposal of the Schleswig-Holstein parliament to take over the secretariat functions for five years, starting in view of their presidency of the BSPC in 2025, as the parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had done nine years ago for a specific time. A complete proposal would be presented at the Standing Committee meeting in Brussels in March 2024. Mr Henrik Møller, Mr Johannes Schraps, Ms Carola Veit, Mr Timo Suslov, and Mr Bodo Bahr further considered this matter.
The Standing Committee decided to, on the one hand, grant Schleswig-Holstein the time to finalise their proposal while, on the other hand, assigning a mandate for negotiations with the Nordic Council and the CBSS to Mr Møller, Mr Schraps, and Mr Bahr. A final decision was then envisaged at the March 2024 meeting of the Standing Committee.
BSPC Rapporteurs and Observer
The BSPC Standing Committee confirmed a rearrangement of BSPC Rapporteurs and Observers as Ms Saara-Sofia Sirén left her long-held position as BSPC Co-Observer at HELCOM. Apart from that, the chairman of the now concluded BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity, Mr Philipp da Cunha, had been appointed rapporteur on that field instead of his previous function as Co-Rapporteur on Integrated Maritime Affairs. In both cases, their respective colleagues will continue their long-standing reporting in these functions: Ms Beate Schluppon HELCOM and Mr Jörgen Pettersson on Maritime Affairs.
BSPC President Henrik Møller thanked all BSPC Rapporteurs and Observers for their high engagement and precious work.
Further Matters
BSPC President Henrik Møller noted that the deputy presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament had expressed great interest in closer cooperation with the BSPC. The president invited the Scottish Parliament to attend the 33rd BSPC Conference in Helsingør.
The Standing Committee further discussed their upcoming meetings. A meeting planned for the Faroe Islands – for the first time in BSPC history – was set for 9 – 10 June 2024.