Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja emphasised the importance of an active civic society in the Baltic Sea region

In Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja's view, a wide variety of active non-governmental organisations is a characteristic of a functioning democracy. With regard to sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region, an active dialogue between citizens and policy makers is thus very important. Supporting the objectives of NGOs has in fact been one of the main themes of the Finnish presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States during the period 2002-2003.

Foreign Minister Tuomioja, who was speaking today at the Third Baltic Sea NGO Forum, went on to say that the Baltic region is one of the most dynamic areas of economic growth in Europe. He hoped that within the European Union the new Northern Dimension Action Plan for the years 2004-2006 would especially take into account economic growth and the elimination of poverty. In the context of the Northern Dimension, Mr. Tuomioja emphasized the developing partnership in social affairs and health which endeavours to solve severe social and health problems in the region.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Council of the Baltic Sea States has supported democratic organisations and underlined human and civil rights. The themes for the Third Baltic Sea NGO Forum taking place in Turku on 8-11 May are sustainable development, equality, marginalisation, communality and the relationship between non-governmental organisations and public authorities. The forum is an important channel for stimulating dialogue between governments and non-governmental organisations in the region. More than 40 Finnish non-governmental organisations have taken part in planning the forum. Its patron is President Tarja Halonen.

Foreign Minister Tuomioja also called for more effective measures to improve gender equality. He emphasised that the attainment of equality is a political and social process built on a new way of thinking. Among environmental matters, the minister brought up sustainable development. In the Baltic Sea region there is still much work to be done, for example in preventing eutrophication and making the seaborne transport of crude oil safe. Baltic 21 and co-operation with and among non-governmental organisations have a vital role in this.

The second period of the Finnish presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States started in July 2002. The Council acts as a forum for political co-operation. Its goal is to promote security, stability and prosperity in the countries of the Baltic Sea region. The council has 11 member states including Russia. The European Commission participates in its work. The council has coupled Russia to European structures and contributed especially to interaction between Russia and the three Baltic States.

For further information, please contact Marja-Liisa Kiljunen, Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs/Division for the Northern Dimension, tel. +358 9 1605 6528 or gsm + 358 40 755 6460

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja: "Northern Dimension - Human Dimension?"