Welcoming statements

The seminar was opened by Mr. Bo Lindroos, Director of the Department of Environment and Resources, NCM, stating that the main aim of the seminar is to share modalities and expectations on future co-operation. The seminar is part of the follow-up activities of the Nordic-Baltic Ministerial Meeting in Tallinn 10 months ago, where it was declared that co-operation in the fields of agriculture, forestry, food issues and fisheries should be continued. It is, therefore, a task of the seminar participants to identify and formulate the added value of co-operation in this field. The Nordic countries have been co-operating in this area for the past 30 years with very good results. The enlargement of the EU entails that it is necessary to make changes in the Nordic-Baltic co-operation. During 2000-2001 the Consultation Committee was formed and has been functioning for 3 years, however, the decision has been taken to assimilate the Committee into normal co-operative structures. It is also of importance to keep in mind other international fora - how can NB8 be added value for 3+3 co-operation? What are the implications for EU/non-EU members?

There are a lot of common issues to discuss. Conclusions should be prepared for the 4th of November High Level Group Meeting and the Nordic-Baltic Senior Officials' Meeting.

The next opening statement was made by Ms. Laimdota Straujuma, State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture. Ms. Straujuma emphasised that co-operation in the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers provides a good model for the Baltic States. In regard to agriculture, forestry, food issues, fisheries, there is a need, in light of the Baltic States becoming EU members, to create a new setting for cooperation for our 8 countries. The question for this seminar is - what concrete things must we do to implement the ministerial declarations? We need to take into consideration previous bilateral co-operation e.g. Latvia has had many bilateral projects with Denmark and also with the other Nordic countries. It is also of interest to expand the co-operation among universities - perhaps it could be possible to develop a common connection between agriculture, science and education. Now we have the opportunity to prepare our ministers for the November meeting and should take a creative approach in finding solutions.

Experience and views of the Baltic countries

Mr. Andres Ookaup, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture Estonia. There is a need to work to get closer, Nordic - Baltic co-operation is still in some kind of sleep. After regaining independence, the Baltic countries were able to reinstate closer contacts with other countries. Focus was placed on building up economies and being good aid receivers. There is a need now to change attitudes.

The question why should we co-operate -

• The ministers said so.
• Because co-operation creates new opportunities.

The Declaration identifies the need to point out common priorities, identify common projects, as well as show the politic benefit - show that co-operation can also be co-operation outside unions. There are many aspects through which to view the benefit of co-operation

• economic opportunities
• co-operation between administrators (which also affects the business sector)
• business to business co-operation.

There is a wide scope of experience available, we should be able to learn from the mistakes of others, and use the experience of others to solve common daily problems such as the interpretation of the EU food law. Furthermore, co-operating makes it possible to save resources, for instance, co-operation between laboratories and the distribution of work, sharing research facilities, research results.

Looking from the outside: the Nordic - Baltic countries are very small, constituting less than 10% of the European region's population.

The Baltic countries are still in a learning process. It is not possible to participate in bidding for EU tenders, since we are so small. The solution is co-operation. There is room for larger international projects. We are stronger working in a group.

There is a need to change ourselves through the transfer of knowledge and to develop ourselves from aid receivers to aid suppliers. It is necessary to start to co-operate on equal footing, but the solution must be found for how to reach the same level.

There are co-operation opportunities inside the Nordic - Baltic region, as well as outside - where common expertise might be needed, for instance in co-operation with Russia. In conclusion, everything is in our own hands, we must be active to get results.

Mr. Janis Briedis, Director of International Relations Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Latvia. The Tallinn declarations of November 3, 2003, state that there is a need to co-operate on agriculture, food issues, forestry, especially food safety and the agricultural production of food. Latvia has had many successful bilateral projects with the various Nordic countries e.g. with Denmark, with Finland on food product testing, with Norway on crayfish, also the development of a masters degree study programme has been an important project. In creating forms for future co-operation we must take into account previous experience. Co-operation can be organised on various levels - the high-level officials' meetings, committees of senior officials, co-operation within specific projects.

Mr. Laimonas Ciakas, Director, European Union Affairs and International Relations Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Estonia.

In the Baltic countries now meetings are held before EU meetings. The Copenhagen declaration on sustainable development should form the basis of all co-operation. An area that should be focused on is the production and marketing of organic products. Co-operation should take a more definite form to become co-operation for reaching specific results.

Modalities for the Future Nordic - Baltic Cooperation.

Bo Lindroos

The Tallinn declaration creates a common platform.

The Nordic Council of Ministers' budget is formed by 820 million DKK annually, approximately 105 million EUR, which is divided to 18 different Ministerial Councils.

The Nordic strategies for the period 2005 - 2008 relevant for the sectors of agriculture, food issues, forestry, fisheries include:

• Focus on sustainable development
• Action programme for agriculture, fishery, forestry and food safety (4 sectors subordinated into one Ministerial Council)
  
• Strategy on preserving genetic resources in the Nordic countries
• Action programme for environmental co-operation, which entails the mainstreaming of environmental issues into all sectors.

Co-operation must be demand driven and based on political dialogue and common decisions. To make work effective senior officials participating in meetings should have political mandates. Co-operation can be achieved through common projects with joint co-financing. The Adjacent Area Programme is being ended and new sector projects are to be developed. There is also the need for common Nordic - Baltic projects with third parties.

Guidelines for the Nordic Council of Ministers' co-operation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, 2006 - 2008.

Ms. Eva Emnéus, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Information Office, Riga.

The setting up of the information offices in the 3 Baltic countries was an important diplomatic step. The historical development of the offices show that the NCM has been able to adapt to the changes taking place in the Baltic states during the past period of transition. The evaluation of 2004 forms the basis of the new guidelines that are under development. The aim is to achieve a co-operation that is complementary to bilateral co-operation and to the EU. In the new guidelines focus is placed on crossborder co-operation, research and innovation, ICT solutions and the area of social issues and health. The guidelines emphasise the need for the integration of Baltic partners into Nordic institutions. Various models are proposed for this process. One is through joint ownership, an example of this is provided by the Nordic Investment Bank. Another model is through partnership without formal membership or ownership, but a co-operation enabling the Baltic states to use the services of the Nordic institutions, thus providing for a more effective use of resources.

The information offices are instruments for implementing the policies of the Nordic Council of Ministers. They are to act as contact points for the ministerial councils and to continue to develop and expand local and international networks, as well as to act as local observers and to disseminate information about Nordic co-operation and the NCM. The information offices have experience as facilitators both in regard to making practical arrangements and contributing to policy work. The information offices have been involved in many significant joint projects, some examples being - the Nordic - Baltic Campaign against Trafficking in Women, Life Long Learning and Adult Education projects, presentation of Nordic Institutions. Of special interest, 2 exchange programmes can be mentioned - the Exchange of Civil Servants Programme and the NordProLink programme.

Discussion

Bo Lindroos

We need to find solutions for the administration and organisation of our co-operation. What kind of expectations to you have for NB cooperation in the future? What do you expect from the NCM?

Andres Oopkaup

To have a forum for discussion through working groups, that can provide tools to help solve problems, to gain experience and to get insight into what is going on behind the scenes in regard to EU processes. Joint co-operation with Russia - conflict solving. A demand driven co-operation where, when in trouble, it is possible to ask and get good suggestions for solutions.

Laimonas Ciakas

Work with areas of common interest. Identify similar problems. More and more attention is being placed on food safety - there is a need for projects and programmes in this area. Trade and the promotion of niche products i.e. organic production, labelling issues. There is a need to clearly know the rules and principles in regard to the contribution expected from the Baltic countries.

Bo Lindroos

There is no question of full membership in the NCM for the Baltic states (at least not in the near future). Simple procedures are proposed - for participation in meetings - each country pays for its own costs. This is a small price for access to know-how and knowledge. In an optimistic perspective, the aim is to create a system of informal networking i.e. create networks of civil servants - it should be just as easy to call a colleague in Helsinki from Stockholm as from one of the Baltic states.

Human resources in the Baltic ministries are limited, especially considering EU demands. Comments?

Andres Oopkaup

We should not let the image of the Baltic countries as being lesser partners continue. The declaration emphasises integration. We should therefore strive for integration into existing cooperation structures. However, Nordic cooperation meetings take place 2-3 times per year, while EU issues are daily work. It would be beneficial to teach our new administrations how to deal with EU connected work-load and to develop a system for administrations' officials exchange.

Bo Lindroos

The Civil Servants Exchange Programme should be used for these needs.

Laimonas Ciakas

We need to find a way how to co-ordinate common positions, should we communicate by telephone, e-mail, through ad hoc meetings?

Anders Lönnblad

Finland and Sweden received a lot of support from Denmark upon joining the EU. Meetings were held every month. It is important to exchange information and work both in an NB8 constellation and 3+3 or rather group of 6.