BSPC President Carola Veit opens 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Hamburg.
The President of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Carola Veit welcomed the participants of the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, parliamentarians, representatives from the BSPC Observers, members of the diplomatic corps, at dinner in the Town Hall of Hamburg, on Sunday evening – prior to the official opening of the conference.
In her address she pointed out that Hamburg as the member of the BSPC since 1991 have driven initiatives in the region and identified issues of concern for the Baltic Sea Region. Organizing the conference at the Town Hall of Hamburg was an expression of Hamburg’s appreciation for the parliaments of in the Baltic Sea Region as well as for its joint platform of cooperation: the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.
Innovative Science, Sustainable Tourism- Participation and Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region – the debate topic of the 26th BSPC Conference
On Monday Ms Carola Veit President of the Parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and President of the BSPC opened the 26th Conference stating that: “With our topics “Democracy”, “Science” and “Sustainability” I believe we have chosen forward-looking themes, which will determine the strength of our societies in the future”.
In his welcome speech Mr Olaf Scholz, the First Mayor of Hamburg underlined the long history of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region and gave examples of contemporary projects and initiatives that bring the BSR together. One of them the German Electron Synchrotron, had been visited by the participants of the conference the previous day.
Cooperation brings prosperity to the people of the Baltic Sea Region
The first session “Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region” brought reports from the Council of the Baltic Sea States the Mr Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson. The outgoing CBSS Chair referred to the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Sea Region which took place in Reykjavik and pointed out that The Ministers of the Baltic Sea Region countries expressed in the Declaration that had been signed on that occasion, their will to invest in the BSR cooperation, the BSPC including.
Mr Hans Olsson, Chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials, Ambassador of Sweden revealed the main catch words of the upcoming Swedish CBSS Presidency 2017-2018 – “ sustainability”, “ continuity” and “ adaptability”.
Last part of the session was devoted to the report on the Implementation of the 25th BSPC Resolution and the speeches of the BSPC Rapporteurs.
Prof. Jānis Vucāns the BSPC Vice-President and Vice-President of Baltic Assembly in conclusion of his report stated that “the implementation of measures will help to improve and to strengthen the prosperity in the whole Baltic Sea Region”
In their presentations the BSPC Rapporteurs. Jörgen Pettersson on Integrated Maritime Policy, Sonja Mandt on Cultural Affairs and Franz Thönnes on the Baltic Sea Labour Forum gave a brief review of work results of the working Groups they had chaired.
The second session brought a lively exchange of different views concerning the participation in decision making processes, role of digital participation and challenges the developments of social media may cause.
With the discussion on Science and Research the first day of the conference has been closed.
To Celebrate the Centenary of Finland’s independence the exhibition prepared by the Finnish delegation was opened by Ms Veera Ruoho, the chair of Finish delegation to the BSPC. “Finland 100 Anniversary Exhibition” will be accessible for all viewers of the Town Hall during the Conference Days.