Ræða Jónínu Bjartmarz, samstarfsráðherra, á ráðstefnu um Norðlægu víddina og norrænt samstarf

Presentation by Jónína Bjartmarz
Minister for Nordic Cooperation
Conference on The Northern Dimension (ND) and the Nordic Cooperation
Hanasaari, January 17th 2007

Ladies and gentlemen – distinguished guests,

 Let me start by expressing my appreciation to Finland’s Presidency of the NCM for organising this seminar on the Northern Dimension and Nordic Co-operation.

The excellent speakers who have taken the floor here today have already given an outstanding overview on the subject and the possibilities that lie ahead for the Northern Dimension concept. I will try to supplement that as best I can from the standpoint of a representative of the North Atlantic area and of course as the Minister for Nordic Co-operation in the Icelandic Government.

Important work was undertaken last year to modernise and strengthen the Northern Dimension policy tool and I am pleased that Iceland and Norway are among the member countries and thereby have the opportunity to take part in the design of strategies for the Northern Dimension beyond 2006. Since these two countries have so much in common with the other Northern European countries, membership of the Northern Dimension and participation in the development of its policies is exceedingly important to them.

I would also like to say how pleased I am at the positive development that has taken place in recent years with respect to cooperation between the EU and the NCM on the policy and the implementation of the ND. The NCM has thus assumed a new and more substantial role than acting as an implementing partner. The NCM is actually one of the main contributors to the development of the ND co-operation and the NCM has, on its own initiative, gone so far as to make the Northern Dimension objectives part of its own policy objectives.

The NCM has acquired valuable experience from its activities in Northwest Russia and the three Baltic countries, and gives high priority to its co-operation with Russia. This co-operation is increasing and it is important that it be closely linked to the EU’s co-operation with Russia. In this way, too, the NCM is an important contributor to the realisation and development of the ND’s objectives.

At the same time, we should continue to strengthen the Arctic Council as the main vehicle for circumpolar co-operation in the Arctic. We must bear in mind that the aim of the Northern Dimension Policy is to support the existing multilateral co-operation. It is my belief that we should take care not to create new structures that might conflict with the framework of different regional councils.

It is a fact that each nation’s foreign policy is to a large extent the product of its geographical location. However, other factors shape policy in the modern day and age, including environmental issues, which cannot be addressed satisfactorily except through international co-operation. Iceland’s geographical position is without question an important driver of its prosperity today. This is the explanation for the firm emphasis that we Icelanders give to the areas of foreign policy concerned with the Law of the Sea, utilisation of marine resources and environmental conservation.

From Iceland’s perspective the Environmental Partnership (NDEP) is by far the largest and most important achievement of the ND. We therefore consider it crucial to continue and strengthen this partnership further. The NDEP is supported by the Nordic Environmental Finance Co-operation, NEFCO, and we aim to continue support for this project. At the same time I underline the importance of further co-operation by the NCM with the EU on the environment, especially focusing on the marine environment, where much work remains to be done that can only be achieved through multilateral co-operation.

It is no less vital to consider co-operation on further research on climate change in the northern regions.
Intensified research on various factors related to climate change in the Arctic is indeed a major theme of the International Polar Year, which will be launched on March 1 this year. The IPY will bring a strong international focus on the Polar Regions with an enormous increase in scientific monitoring and research. As a result, we can look forward to better scientific information on which to base implementation of the Northern Dimension Policy in the future.

Sustainable utilisation of marine resources is one of the cornerstones of Iceland’s foreign policy. Iceland feels that it has set a good example and acted responsibly in its treatment of marine resources. Unfortunately this is not the case everywhere. Overfishing and overexploitation of fishing grounds are practised in many parts of the world. Illegal and unmonitored fishing by ships that are registered under flags of convenience represent a serious threat to the interests of fishing nations. Such practices will not be prevented except by close co-operation between these states and their regional organizations.

I am drawing attention to this problem here because in a sense it is linked to the objectives of the Arctic Window of the Northern Dimension. It is important that the Arctic Window is maintained and even strengthened. The NCM also has access to expert knowledge in this field which I believe should be applied in ND co-operation. This field is currently covered by a special programme, the Arctic Co-operation Programme for the years 2006-2009.

An enormous increase in maritime transport is foreseeable in the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic in connection with development of resources in the Arctic region, in particular oil and gas production. The main shipping routes for oil and gas tankers lie just off the coasts of Norway, Iceland and Greenland. Accidents on these routes could have dire consequences for the local ecosystem and fishing grounds. It is necessary to boost co-operation and consultation on maritime safety and contingencies by North Atlantic countries to respond to such incidents.

There are further areas where I believe it is important to strengthen activities and boost co-operation. Uppermost in my mind is the Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being which needs to be developed into a real partnership. Like the environment, satisfactory results can only be achieved in this major field within the framework of international co-operation.

The same applies to issues such as the terrorist threat, drug smuggling and human trafficking – success on these fronts depends entirely upon multilateral co-operation involving institutions and nations with common ethical ground as well as regional bonds.

Thus it is vital to strengthen co-operation and specialisation among all stakeholders in our northern region in order to apply their energies as efficiently as possible, avoid replication of tasks and achieve maximum synergies.

As I have already mentioned, the previous speeches have been extremely interesting and I hope that a fertile and constructive dialogue will follow. The vital point is to present ideas for enhancing the NMC’s activities within the ND, in order to strengthen the regions of Northern Europe.