I thank the organizers and sponsors of the conference for their efforts to bring together such a distinguished group of speakers and panellists. The priorities set by policy makers, researchers, media and others influencing the discussion on how to best achieve peace and security may differ from time to time. However, taking a long term perspective one can identify four major peace-building factors. These four corner-stones form one totality, they fertilize one another and create the foundation on which we can build future sustainable peace and security in the Baltic Sea region. First, deepening of democracy, including the rule of law, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities.
Democracies seek security among themselves in cooperation rather than through deterrence.
Democracy is the only really effective method to deal with internal conflicts. Second, economic development which is socially just and environmentally sustainable, can meet peoples' basic needs and give hope for the future. Third, growing economic interdependence brings peoples and countries closer together. Fourth, international structures of cooperation prevent armed conflicts by providing a framework for dealing with different interests, creating mutual confidence and shaping common norms. These four corner-stones for peace and security was the basis on which the European Union was founded in order to prevent another great war in Europe.