Commission Working document - The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan, 2004-2006
Date: 2003-06-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Northern Europe, Russia, action programme, cooperation policy, economic and social cohesion, enlargement of the Union, regional policy, sustainable development

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 10.6.2003
COM(2003) 343 final

COMMISSION WORKING DOCUMENT

The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan, 2004-2006

The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan, 2004-2006

The present document follows the First Action Plan for the Northern Dimension1, adopted by
the European Council in Feira in June 2000, and expiring at the end of 2003. The main text
sets  out  general  principles  and  methodology,  key  objectives  and  priorities,  and  the
mechanisms  by  which  the  implementation  of  Northern  Dimension  activities  will  be  kept
under  review.  The  detailed  activities  which  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  pursue  in
addressing each of these priorities are set out in annex 1.

In preparing the Second Northern Dimension Action Plan, the Commission has based its work
on  the  conclusions  of  the  Ministerial  Conference  on  the  Northern  Dimension  held  in
Luxembourg on 21 October 2002, and particularly on the Guidelines for a new Action Plan2,
adopted by this Conference and endorsed by the EU General Affairs and External Relations
Council on 22 October 2002. This Second Action Plan represents the joint efforts of a wide
range  of  Northern  Dimension  partners,  and  the  Commission  has  drawn  on  a  consultation
process  bringing  together  inputs  from  EU  Member  States  and  partner  countries,  from  the
European  Parliament  and  the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee,  from  regional
bodies and associated organisations.

Reflecting  these  joint  efforts,  the  Second  Action  Plan  emphasises  complementarity,
subsidiarity  and  synergy  among  all  Northern  Dimension  partners.  The  effectiveness  of  this
interaction will be crucial to the achievement of our common objectives, and to the success of
the Northern Dimension in the coming years.

1. THE NORTHERN DIMENSION VISION

Four  years  since  its  launching  at  the  Helsinki  European  Council  in  December  1999,  the
Northern  Dimension  is  today  a  visible  demonstration  of  effective  regional  cooperation,
contributing to the overall welfare of the European Union and neighbouring areas.

The Northern Dimension provides a common framework for the promotion of policy dialogue
and  concrete  cooperation.  The  Northern  Dimension  concept  covers  a  broad  and  diverse
geographic  area,  stretching  from  the  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  to  the  southern  shores  of  the
Baltic,  and  from  North-West  Russia  in  the  East  to  Iceland  and  Greenland  in  the  west.  Its
added value lies in the synergy and coherence that it creates across the activities implemented
by all partners.

The  Northern  Dimension  is  an  EU-led  initiative.  Its  success  depends  on  the  active
participation of all actors involved, whether at the national, regional or local level, among the
business community, or among civil society generally. The key purpose of the present Action
Plan is therefore to provide a clear operational framework for all Northern Dimension stake-
holders,  setting  out  strategic  objectives,  priorities  and  concrete  activities.  These  need  to  be
carried  forward  in  a  co-operative  spirit  based  on  inclusive  participation,  subsidiarity  and
complementarity,  with  an  effective  division  of  labour  and  overall  co-ordination  and
monitoring.

1

2

Action Plan for the Northern Dimension with external and cross-border policies of the European Union
2000 – 2003, 9401/00, 14 June 2000; available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim/ndap/06_00_en.pdf.
Guidelines for a new Action Plan – Presidency Conclusions on the Future of the Northern Dimension
Policies of the European Union, Luxembourg, 21 October 2002; available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim/doc/guidelines02.pdf.

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Strong foundations for this work have already been laid with the First Action Plan, where the
European  Commission  played  a  pivotal  role  in  its  implementation,  and  where  EU  Member
States,  partner  countries,  regional  bodies,  civil  society,  the  business  world  and  research
institutions each carried  forward important  activities contributing to  the  overall  goals  of  the
Action Plan.

Looking forward, the Northern Dimension will take on an enhanced importance in the context
of EU enlargement; the successful conclusion of the Accession Negotiations and the signature
of the Accession Treaty with 10 Acceding Countries, including those directly involved in the
Northern  Dimension,  takes  the  Northern  Dimension  into  a  new  phase.  This  has  been
highlighted 
--
Neighbourhood"3, and the Northern Dimension will have an important contribution to  make
in carrying forward the Union's new neighbourhood policy, building on shared interests and a
common agenda between the enlarged Union and its neighbours.

recent  Communication  on  "Wider  Europe 

the  Commission’s 

in 

The  European  Commission  will  continue  to  provide  support  for  Northern  Dimension
activities through existing Community programmes, and will continue to work to enhance the
coherence  and  inter-operability  of  the  different  Community  instruments  available  for  this
purpose.  The  strength  of  the  Northern  Dimension  will  lie  in  the  combined  impact  of  the
activities  of  all  partners,  including  EU  Member  States  and  partner  countries,  international
financial institutions, regional bodies and the private sector. The financing and co-ordination
approach  used  in  the  Northern  Dimension  Environmental  Partnership  is  a  useful  model  for
other  important  Northern  Dimension  sectors,  when  a  sufficient  commitment  of  all
stakeholders is assured.

The flow of information on Northern Dimension activities and achievements among partners
will  help  to  avoid  duplication  and  overlap,  identify  gaps,  and  share  best  practices.  The
Commission  is  ready  to  compile  and  circulate  this  information  among  all  interested
stakeholders,  but  an  effective  information  exchange  will  depend  on  the  contributions  of  all
partners.

THE  2004-2006  ACTION  PLAN:  OVERALL  OBJECTIVES  AND  PRIORITY

2.
SECTORS

The enlargement of the European Union will have implications for the region covered by the
Northern  Dimension.  The  Action  Plan  therefore  addresses  the  opportunities  and  the
challenges posed by this historic event, to help ensure that it benefits the entire region. In this
context, strengthened interaction at all levels between Russia and the EU is essential.

The present Action Plan covers five broad priority sectors:

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economy, business and infrastructure;
human resources, education, scientific research and health;
the environment, nuclear safety and natural resources;
cross-border cooperation and regional development;
justice and home affairs.

Wider Europe— Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern
Neighbours, COM(2003)104 final, 11 March 2003; available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/we/doc/com03_104_en.pdf.

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The  Northern  Dimension  also  pays  special  attention  to  regions  with  specific  needs,  such  as
Kaliningrad and the Arctic region.

The  Action  Plan  respects  internationally  recognised  principles  of  sustainable  development,
good governance, transparency and participation, gender equality, the rights of minorities, and
the protection of indigenous peoples4.

In  line  with  the  EU  Lisbon  Strategy,  the  Action  Plan  encourages  the  adoption  of  mutually
reinforcing economic, employment and social policies by all partners involved5.

3.

SPECIFIC PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES, 2004-06

3.1. ECONOMY, BUSINESS, INFRASTRUCTURE

The  closer  integration  of  markets,  strengthened  economic  relations  with  the  Russian
Federation  and  the  completion  of  a  modern  infrastructure  system  are  the  key  medium  and
long-term objectives for the Northern Dimension in this sector. To this end, specific priorities
are identified in relation to:

–  Trade, investment promotion, and business cooperation

–  Infrastructure,  including  energy,  transport,  and  telecommunications  and  information

society.

3.1.1. Trade, Investment promotion and business co-operation

Sustainable  and  sustained  economic  growth  in  the  Northern  Dimension  region  is  the  key
priority  for  the  2004-2006  period.  The  economic  opportunities  presented  by  enlargement  of
the Union must be fully exploited. A favourable business climate must be developed on both
sides of the future EU-border through, inter alia, the implementation of economic reforms in
the  Russian  Federation,  and  Russian  efforts  to  integrate  with  the  international  economy
(through  WTO  accession),  and  with  the  EU  economy  (through  the  Common  European
Economic Space initiative).

Further efforts will be made to remove technical and other barriers to trade and investment, to
promote  equal  competition  among  economic  actors,  and  to  help  develop  a  transparent
financial sector. Special consideration must be given to SMEs, particularly in Russia, to help

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5

 Recent Commission documents addressing these issues include for example :
- A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: a European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development,
COM(2001)264 final, 15 May 2001, available at:
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2001/com2001_0264en01.pdf;
- European Governance – A White Paper, COM(2001)428 final, 25 July 2001, available at:
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2001/com2001_0428en01.pdf;
- Towards a Community Framework Strategy on Gender Equality (2001-2005), COM(2000)335 final, 7
June 2000, available at :
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equ_opp/strategy/com2000_335_en.pdf;
- Report from the Commission to the Council - Review of progress of working with indigenous peoples,
COM(2002)291 final, 11 June 2002.
Adopted at the March 2000 Lisbon European Council, the European Employment Strategy (ESS) is
designed to enable the European Union “to become the most competitive and knowledge-based economy
in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social
cohesion”. More information on this issue is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/employment_strategy/index_en.htm.

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them  take  full  advantage  of  EU  market  opportunities.  Ongoing  efforts  to  speed  up  border
crossings and to fight corruption will be continued.

Measures  must  be  taken  to  stimulate  investments,  taking  account  of  the  role  which  foreign
investment can play and of the need to attract the kind of investment which can best promote
development and innovation. The vision of the Baltic Sea region as a “Joint Investment Area”
should be supported.

Business  co-operation,  trade  and  the  economy  must  develop  in  the  full  respect  of
internationally  recognised  principles  of  sustainable  development,  in  their  environmental,
social and economic dimensions, as well as gender issues and the protection of human rights.

Continued  effective  implementation  of  related  support  measures,  notably  through  EU
programmes  such  as  Tacis  and  INTERREG,  as  well  as  through  bilateral  and  regional  co-
operation programmes will have an important part to play here.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  improve  the  business  climate,  removing  technical  and  other  barriers  to  trade  and
investment and promoting co-operation among the business community across the region.

–  To  support  economic  reforms  and  regulatory  convergence  in  Russia,  reinforcing  the

transparency and predictability of trade relations.

–  To  promote  Small  and  Medium-Sized  Enterprises  (SMEs),  especially  Russian  SMEs,  and
their  adjustment  to  the  European  market.  Northern  Dimension  Partners  will  work  to
facilitate  SMEs’  access  to  capital,  encourage  the  exchange  of  best  practice  and  training
and promote managerial and other skills and a better knowledge of regulations.

–  To support industrial enterprises in their moves towards more sustainable production, in
order  to  improve  economic  performance  while  addressing  environmental  concerns  and
offering socio-economic opportunities to the indigenous peoples of the region.

–  To  facilitate  trade  and  economic  relations  through  the  improvement  (or  indeed  the
introduction)  of  integrated  border  management.  Clearance  time  for  border  crossings  of
goods should  be reduced to  a  maximum  of  two  hours.  Northern  Dimension  partners  can
achieve this objective particularly by encouraging the convergence of customs legislation,
by  fighting  corruption,  and  through  the  modernisation  of  border-crossing  infrastructure
and the rationalisation of procedures at borders.

3.1.2. Energy

The Northern Dimension area is rich in natural resources and offers significant potential for
the production and supply of energy, while at the same time possessing a unique environment
that is particularly vulnerable to pollution or other side-effects of unsustainable development.

Infrastructure must be developed  in  order to  provide  better  security  of  energy  supply  to  the
European continent. The work on energy issues must encompass the further development and
integration  of  energy  markets,  the  strengthening  of  EU  –  Russia  dialogue  on  energy,  the
development  of  energy  resources  in  an  environmentally  friendly  way  and  the  promotion  of
energy efficiency and saving. This  energy  partnership  is  principally  aimed  at  enhancing  the
security  of  energy  supplies  to  the  EU  and  at  improving  investment  conditions  in  Russia’s

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energy  sector  in  order  to  upgrade  the  infrastructure,  promote  energy  efficient  and
environmentally friendly technologies, and enhance energy conservation within Russia.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  develop  the  electricity  and  natural  gas  transportation  networks  in  the  Northern
Dimension region, thus contributing to the competitive operation of the EU internal energy
market and to the security of energy supplies across Europe. Northern Dimension partners
will  work  to  improve  the  co-ordination  of  energy  production  and  supply,  and  to  achieve
full integration of the acceding countries in the EU priority axes for energy transportation
and in a Common European Energy Market.

–  To  ensure  that  the  development  and  utilisation  of  energy  resources  will  be  made  more
efficient and environmentally  friendly; Northern  Dimension partners will  also  endeavour
to ensure safe transportation of energy materials, to explore the possibilities for increased
use of renewable energy and to establish a testing ground for flexible mechanisms under
the Kyoto Protocol in the Baltic Sea Region.

–  The European Union and the Russian Federation will continue their work to strengthen the
EU-Russia Energy Dialogue6, launched at the EU-Russia Summit of October 2000 with the
purpose to improve energy cooperation.

3.1.3. Transport

The improvement of the transport infrastructure in the Northern Dimension area is vital for the
economic development of the region, with the key priorities being the development of a multi-
modal transport system improving the connections within the region and with the neighbouring
countries, the creation of an environmentally friendly integrated transport and communications
market, the promotion of an efficient use of existing infrastructure, and the further realisation
of the Pan-European transport network in partner countries. Safety levels within all modes of
transport  must  be  enhanced,  in  particular  for  maritime  safety,  including  scientific  research
support.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To address bottlenecks and choke points in the Northern Dimension region, creating at the
same time an environmentally friendly transport network integrating accession countries.
The basis for such a work will be provided by the Commission revision of the Guidelines
for  the  Trans-European  Transport  Network  (TEN-T)  and  the  Commission  White  Paper
“European Transport Policy for 2010”7.

–  To increase safety levels within all modes of transport. High priority will be attributed, in
particular,  to  maritime  safety,  with  a  view  to  protecting  the  marine  environment  from
accidents  that  threaten  sea  and  coastal  ecosystems  as  well  as  the  socio-economic  life  of
populations involved. Scientific research will support such activities.

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7

The EU-Russia Energy Partnership: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/lpi_en_3.html.
European Transport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide, COM(2001)370 final, 12 September 2001,
available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/lb_en.html.

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3.1.4. Telecommunications and Information Society

Information and communication technology (ICT) will play a crucial role in the development
of  a  prosperous  and  sustainable  Northern  Dimension  region  in  the  coming  years.  The
Northern  Dimension  region  can  develop  a  leading  knowledge-based  economy,  in  particular
through follow-up of the Northern eDimension Action Plan, launched in 2001.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  promote  the  co-ordinated  development  of  telecommunications,  information  society
networks  and  services  in  the  Northern  Dimension  region,  including  the  regulatory  and
administrative  framework.  A  co-ordinated  effort  should  be  made  to  support  ICT
development  in  Northwest  Russia,  to  help  avoid  the  development  of  a  technology  and
infrastructure gap.

–  Bearing in mind the importance of ICT in helping the region overcome the disadvantages
caused  by  long  distances  and  a  harsh  climate,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  make
every effort to accelerate the transition of the region to an information society, to ensure
better  living  conditions  and  access  to  modern  services,  including  telemedicine  and  e-
learning.

3.2. HUMAN RESOURCES, EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

The Northern  Dimension  region  has  a  rich  supply  of  human  resources  and  a  high  scientific
potential.  The  future  of  the  whole  area,  including  the  Arctic,  and  the  social  well-being  and
economic  growth  of  the  region  will  depend  to  a  large  extent  on  the  development  of  this
potential.

3.2.1. Human Resources and Employment, Education/Training and Culture

To assist in unlocking the rich supply of human resources and high scientific potential of the
region,  the  key  objective  is  to  give  priority  attention  to  capacity  building,  education  and
training/retraining, scientific research and health. Outdated qualifications and skills should be
brought  to  meet  modern  technological  demands.  Students  and  researchers  must  be  able  to
maximise  the  opportunities  available  to  them  notably  through  the  promotion  of  university
exchanges and the use of virtual learning facilities in the promotion of sustainable economic
growth.

Cultural development, (including cultural tourism) should be strengthened, by mobilising and
co-ordinating  national,  regional  and  local  authorities,  NGOs,  private  enterprise  and  civil
society in the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of cultural diversity.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To promote the creation of a “knowledge-based region” through joint projects, networking
and mobility in the fields of education  and  training,  research,  culture  and  youth,  and  by
bringing  information  and  learning  opportunities  to  remote  areas  through  Internet-based
and other tools.

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–  To promote a dialogue that enables the region to develop as a dynamic and open cultural
area,  raising  awareness  of  cultural  heritage,  and  promoting  local  and  regional
development.

3.2.2. Scientific Research

Scientific research is vital to the development of the region, with the key objective being to
ensure that research activity is effectively co-ordinated and recognises the impact of ongoing
economic,  environmental,  political  and  social  change  in  the  region.  Co-operation  among
enterprises,  universities  and  the  scientific  community  should  be  enhanced  with  a  view  to
fostering employment creation.

The  present  Action  Plan  therefore  supports  the  goal  of  promoting  scientific  research  in  the
Northern  Dimension  area,  with  a  focus  on  climate  change  and  the  economic,  social  and
environmental impacts caused by climate variability and change.

Specific attention must be given to research relating to the development of infrastructure and
materials  suitable  for  harsh  climatic  conditions,  the  improvement  of  environmentally  sound
exploration,  extraction  and  transport  technologies  for  fossil  energy  and  minerals,  the
development  of  appropriate  transport  policies  and  technologies,  and  the  analysis  of  socio-
economic  and  environmental  changes  across  the  region.  In  the  formulation  of  research
policies  and  projects,  it  will  be  important  to  seek  consultations  not  only  with  the  various
scientific research institutions but also with bodies such as the Arctic Council and the Barents
Euro-Arctic Council.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To improve  communication and information exchange  among  all  sectors  of  the  scientific
community  in  Russia  and  in  the  enlarged  EU,  encouraging  at  the  same  time  the
involvement  of  young  researchers.  This  will  improve  the  dissemination  of  information  to
the scientific community at large in the region and create a mechanism for stimulating co-
operation between the many scientific institutes and universities in the North.

–  To  strengthen  research  and  technology-development  activities,  particularly  in  sectors
relating  to  climate  change,  environmental  protection,  sustainable  management  and
utilisation  of  natural  resources,  safety  and  security  of  energy  supplies,  social  and
economic developments in the region.

3.2.3. Public Health

High  priority  must  be  attached  to  the  fight  against  communicable  diseases  (especially
tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS) in Northwest  Russia and the  accession  countries,  as  well  as  to
the goal of addressing problems related to general health and social wellbeing, such as the use
of illicit drugs, alcoholism and other life-style related conditions. Society as a whole must be
active  in  health  promotion  and  in  the  enhancement  of  healthy  lifestyles.  Strengthening
international co-operation at all levels is key for the achievement of such objectives, inter alia

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through the establishment of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social
Wellbeing8.

In addressing these issues, activities will be developed in accordance with the EU strategy on
public health (the EU Public Health Programme 2003-20089), and with the recommendations
adopted  by  the  Fourth  Baltic  Sea  States  Summit  in  St  Petersburg  on  10  June  2002  on  the
threat of communicable diseases10.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  address  the  challenges  posed  by  major  communicable  diseases,  and  particularly
tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. A special attention will be paid to health problems in children
and young people, addressing also the social and economic roots of such diseases.

–  To enhance and extend international cooperation on public health issues more broadly, to
address also the social determinants of health problems, the impact of the environment on
citizens’ health and the structural reform of health services across the region.

3.3. ENVIRONMENT, NUCLEAR SAFETY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

3.3.1. Environment

The vast environmental problems in the region are well known, including also such specific
factors as the particularly severe impact of climate change in the high north, and the negative
consequences of pollution on the fragile marine ecosystem and the Arctic.

It  is  beyond  the  capacity  of  any  country  or  organisation  to  tackle  these  trans-boundary
problems  single-handed.  Concerted  and  co-ordinated  action  is  essential,  both  on  the
convergence  of  environmental  standards  and  policies,  and  on  funding  joint  cooperation
activities. The Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership provides a useful example of
how  a  concerted  approach  can  effectively  address  urgent  problems.  In  this  work,  Northern
Dimension  partners  must  take  full  account  of  monitoring  reports  provided  by  the  European
Union, HELCOM, Baltic 21 and the Arctic Council.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  strengthen  the  EU-Russia  dialogue  on  environmental  issues  in  the  framework  of  the
Partnership  and  Co-operation  Agreement,  and  work  for  the  full  respect  of  international
conventions on environment

–  To monitor and tackle pollutants throughout the  region, principally  chemicals, persistent
organic  pollutants  (POPs),  heavy  metals,  toxic  and  urban  waste,  in  relation  to  inland

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10

A final decision on the establishment of such Partnership will be taken in a high-level meeting due to be
organised in Norway in October 2003. More information on this initiative is available at:
www.stakes.fi/ndpartnership.
Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September2002
adopting a Programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008); available at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/programme_en.htm.
Statement from the 4th Baltic Sea States Summit on the Threat of Communicable Diseases, St Petersburg,
10 June 2001; available at http://www.cbss.st/documents/meetingshead_government/stpetersburg2002/.

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waters and the Arctic as well as the Barents and Baltic Seas. Particular attention will also
be paid to the problem of air pollution and to the promotion of cleaner production systems.

–  To  make  full  use  of  multilateral  funding  mechanisms,  such  as  the  Northern  Dimension
Environmental Partnership (NDEP) and the Nordic Environmental Development Fund.

3.3.2. Nuclear Safety

The  immense  problems  of  nuclear  waste  storage  and  disposal  in  the  Northern  Dimension
region,  particularly  in  Northwest  Russia  are  of  great  concern  (including  spent  nuclear  fuel
from decommissioned submarines and icebreakers, inadequate or absent storage facilities, and
other wastes such as mixed wastes and liquid wastes).

Ensuring the safe use of nuclear power and the safe management of spent nuclear  fuels and
radioactive  waste  is  a  priority  in  the  Northern  Dimension  area.  The  main  problems  are  the
need to provide safe storage facilities for the spent nuclear fuel removed from icebreakers and
nuclear  powered  submarines,  the  management  of  a  wide  variety  of  radioactive  wastes,
including mixed and liquid wastes, and the management of submarines that have been taken
out of service. Another urgent priority in the region is the early closure and decommissioning
of nuclear reactors "at risk". The key objective is to achieve an adequate level of safety across
the region.

The  present  Action  Plan  thus  supports  close  multilateral  co-operation  between  national
authorities,  including  on  legal  initiatives  such  as  the  agreement  on  the  Multilateral  Nuclear
Environmental  Programme  in  the  Russian  Federation.  This  will  include  the  effective  and
timely  implementation  of  projects  through  the  Nuclear  Window  of  the  Northern  Dimension
Environmental Partnership Support Fund, as well as upgraded monitoring procedures and an
effective exchange of information and expertise on the management of nuclear material.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  implement  projects  through  the  Nuclear  Window  of  the  Northern  Dimension
Environmental  Partnership  Support  Fund  without  delay,  following  the  signature  of  the
agreement establishing a Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the  Russian
Federation (MNEPR). Priority will be given to the management of spent nuclear fuel and
nuclear waste, and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and submarines.

–  To  strengthen  monitoring  and  the  protection  of  the  environment  from  radiation  through
increased  co-operation,  including  improved  co-ordination  of  national  plans  for  dealing
with nuclear safety incidents in the region.

3.3.3. Natural Resources

The region is rich in natural resources, particularly oil, minerals and timber. These resources
are of crucial importance  for the economic development of  the local  communities, although
they  are  under  significant  pressure.  Sustainable  use  of  natural  resources  is  vital  if  the  long-
term  economic  potential  of  the  region  is  to  be  realised  without  negatively  affecting  the
sensitive ecological balance of the area or the indigenous communities that depend on these
resources.

To help address these priorities, Northern Dimension partners will therefore work to achieve
the following key objective (with specific activities as set out in annex):

10

–  To help ensure that Northern and Arctic eco-systems and their bio-diversity shall remain
viable,  vigorous  and  able  to  sustain  human  socio-economic  needs,  and  to  encourage  the
responsible  and  sustainable  utilisation  of  forests  and  fish  stocks,  with  the  active
participation of local actors, communities, SMEs and indigenous peoples in the decision-
making process.

3.4. CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION

Cross-border co-operation must contribute to promoting regional economic development and
integration of the whole Northern Dimension area. The responsibility to  initiate  cooperation
among  bordering  regions  based  on  a  genuine  partnership  lies  mainly  with  the  regions
themselves.  The  relevant  EU  financial  instruments  must  support  this  co-operation  as
efficiently as possible. There is also a need to co-ordinate EU and bilateral funds to facilitate
co-operation across the border with Russia within the Northern Dimension area.

The various  cross-border co-operation arrangements in the area, including  Euro-regions  and
the co-operation between Russia and Lithuania based on the Nida-initiative, can form a basis
for intensified work focused on the borders with Russia in the Northern Dimension region. To
help address the above priorities, Northern Dimension partners will therefore work to achieve
the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  implement  cross-border  co-operation  initiatives  on  priority  themes  such  as  economic
and  social  development,  environmental  protection,  transport  and  telecommunication,
border crossings and border management, public health, and cultural exchanges.

–  To strengthen co-ordination among funding programmes operated by the European Union
and by other sources, including international financial institutions and the Nordic Council
of Ministers. The Russian Federation shall be involved in the co-financing of activities as
much  as  possible.  The  European  Commission  will  make  every  effort  to  improve  the  co-
ordination  of  EU  programmes,  and  particularly  Tacis  and  INTERREG,  including  the
possible  establishment  of  a  New  Neighbourhood  Instrument  as  foreseen  in  the
Communication on “Wider Europe: Neighbourhood”.

–  To 

the  close 

further  stimulate 

local  actors,  communities  and
involvement  of 
administrations, strengthening subsidiarity and local ownership of projects. Better results
will be achieved by building on existing examples of tri-partite co-operation and by using
the  expertise  of  regional  and  sub-regional  bodies  such  as  the  Baltic  Sea  States  Sub-
regional Co-operation, the Union of Baltic Cities and the Barents Regional Council.

–  To address the key challenges faced by the Kaliningrad region in its future development as
a  Russian  exclave  surrounded  by  the  European  Union.  The  EU,  the  Russian  Federation
and other partners will work on the implementation of cross-border projects dealing with
economic  and  social  development,  environmental  issues,  health  issues,  the  fight  against
organised crime as well as adequate  infrastructure on  the border  crossings  and  efficient
border management.

3.5. JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

3.5.1. Combating organised crime

Organised crime remains a considerable problem in the region, demanding a concerted effort
from all partner countries. A co-ordinated and effective response must be made to problems

11

such  as  economic  crime,  money  laundering,  illegal  immigration  and  trafficking  in  human
beings.

To  help  address  the  above  priorities,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  therefore  work  to
achieve the following key objectives (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To improve the co-ordination among national administrations and police forces in order to
optimise the use of resources, develop concrete operational measures between the EU and
Russia, and increase the effectiveness of law enforcement cooperation.

–  To address trafficking in human beings and drugs, and tackle crime targeting children and

women.

–  The EU and the Russian Federation will work for the rapid and effective implementation of
the  EU-Russia  Action  Plan  against  organised  crime  and  other  initiatives  designed  to
integrate  the  activities  and  expertise  of  the  respective  national,  regional  and  local
authorities, promote the sharing of intelligence and priorities and improve support for the
victims of crime.

3.5.2. Integrated border management

The development of effective border management is crucial to efforts to avoid the emergence
of new dividing lines in Europe, while helping to ensure mutual security, the  respect of law
and cross-border contacts. The present Action Plan supports the goals of fostering secure and
efficient management of the EU-Russia border, to prevent illegal movements but allow easy
passage  for  legitimate  trade  and  travel,  reducing  waiting  times,  improving  infrastructure,
increased  co-operation  between  relevant  border  authorities,  and  the  harmonisation  of
legislation, standards and procedures.

The  economic  aspects  of  improved  border  management  are  addressed  under  section  3.1
above.  In  addition,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  work  to  achieve  the  following  key
objective (with specific activities as set out in annex):

–  To  combat  illegal  immigration  and  other  cross-border  crime,  and  facilitate  legitimate

trade and travel, through improved and integrated border management.

3.5.3. Civil Protection

Ensuring  effective  standards  and  procedures  for  public  safety  and  participation  in  the
governmental  processes  is  of  particular  relevance  to  the  Northern  Dimension  area;  a  key
priority will be the development of a common space in which people feel secure.

The  new  Action  Plan  therefore  supports  the  goal  of  improving  civil  protection,  with  a
particular focus on the Baltic and Barents regions, and to further developing the Euro-Baltic
programme.

It  will  be  important  to  develop  the  link  between  civil  society  and  government  or  business
decision-making,  to  harmonise  legislation,  and  exchange  experience  and  expertise  in  the
fields of safety practices and rescue management.

To help address these priorities, Northern Dimension partners will therefore work to achieve
the following key objective (with specific activities as set out in annex):

12

–  To  improve and  encourage the  convergence of  safety procedures,  promoting at the  same
time civil protection, good governance and direct public participation in project planning.

3.6. CROSS-CUTTING THEMES: KALININGRAD AND THE ARCTIC REGION

As  noted  above,  Kaliningrad  and  the  Arctic  region  represent  two  prominent  examples  of
specific regions with specific needs. To ensure a comprehensive attention to these needs, they
have been treated here as cross-cutting issues, main-streamed within each key priority of the
Action Plan.

3.6.1. Kaliningrad

The responsibility for the development of the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia lies of course with
the  Russian  Federation.  Given  its  particular  geographic  situation  as  a  Russian  exclave
surrounded by the European  Union it is however particularly important to enhance  dialogue
and cooperation between Kaliningrad and neighbouring Northern Dimension partners.

All  five  priority  sectors  covered  in  the  present  Action  Plan  have  particular  relevance  for
Kaliningrad.  Whether  in  the  economic,  human  resource,  environment,  cross-border  or  JHA
fields,  Northern  Dimension  activities  will  be  important  in  allowing  Kaliningrad  to  take  full
advantage of the opportunities created by EU enlargement.

In the economic field, particular attention  will be  given to  building  an  enhanced framework
for  trade  and  investment,  supporting  administrative  reform,  promoting  business-to-business
links  and  SMEs  development,  and  ensuring  smooth  border  management;  the  security  of
energy  supply  and  the  further  development  of  regional  transport  networks  will  likewise  be
emphasised.

Attention will also be given to support for human resource development, including vocational
and  business  education,  educational  exchanges  and  other  joint  projects  in  the  field  of
education,  research,  culture  and  youth,  as  well  as  joint  work  to  combat  threats  to  public
health.

Environmental  concerns  will  be  addressed,  with  a  view  to  resolving  existing  problems
(especially water  and soil pollution,  urban wastes and  chemicals),  as  well  as helping ensure
the  sustainable  development  of  the  region  in  future.  The  NDEP  Support  Fund,  as  well  as
financial  support  provided  by  international  financial  institutions  and  other  Northern
Dimension partners on a bilateral basis, can help address such challenges.

Cross-border cooperation, focusing on Kaliningrad  and the  neighbouring  regions of the  EU,
will have a particular importance in the economic, social and environmental fields, as well as
in promoting people-to-people contacts at the local level.

Joint efforts to combat organised crime, smuggling, illegal migration and trafficking in human
beings will help ensure mutual security and the respect of law for the benefit of all.

The European Commission has already made a special effort in many of these areas, and will
continue and strengthen these efforts during the life of the new Action Plan. As an example,
the Tacis Indicative Programme for Russia for the period 2004-06 includes a special package
for  Kaliningrad,  costed  at  some  €25m  over  these  three  years  and  focusing  in  particular  on
sectors such as administrative reform and business development, public health, education, and
cross-border cooperation. This is in addition to broader efforts being carried out through the

13

Tacis  Russian  national  programme,  and  through  the  NDEP,  which  are  also  of  benefit  to
Kaliningrad.

3.6.2. The Arctic

The  northernmost  areas  of  the  region  require  a  special  attention,  bearing  in  mind  the  harsh
climatic  conditions,  the  fragile  environment  increasingly  threatened  by  pollution  of  various
kinds, high infrastructure costs in linking scarcely populated areas across long distances, and
health problems affecting the indigenous peoples living in the high north.

All  five  priority  sectors  covered  in  the  present  Action  Plan  are  also  relevant  for  the  Arctic,
even if the economic, human resource, and environment sectors are likely to have a primary
importance.  It  will  however  be  particularly  important  to  enhance  broader  international  co-
operation  on  such  themes,  involving  also  partners  such  as  the  US  and  Canada  which  face
similar concerns for their Arctic and Sub-Arctic areas.

Encouraging  the  economic  development  of  the  Arctic  region  is  of  crucial  importance;  such
development, however, must take place in full respect of the  fragile  environmental situation
of  the  region,  and  must  involve  local  populations  and  indigenous  people  in  the  decision-
making process  at all levels.  Infrastructure issues will  have  a  particular  importance, notably
with respect  to the role  which improved  ICT  networks can  play in helping to overcome the
constraints of distance and climate.

ICT also has a crucial role to play in fostering human development through distance learning,
and in encouraging and preserving local cultures, indigenous languages and cultural heritage.
The University of the Arctic provides a good example of such initiatives.

Enhanced  environmental  monitoring  in  the  Arctic,  and  joint  efforts  to  protect  the  Arctic
environment from chemical, POP and nuclear pollution will  be strengthened  by building on
the research work carried out by the Arctic Council and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The
Arctic is also an important global laboratory, and Northern Dimension partners will promote
further  work  in  this  field  through,  inter  alia,  RTD  programmes  of  the  EU  and  the  Nordic
Council of Ministers.

Many  of  the  sectors  encompassed  in  the  present  Action  Plan  are  of  particular  relevance  for
Greenland,  as  acknowledged  by  the  Commission  in  a  recent  communication  to  the  Council
and  the  European  Parliament11.  Whenever  possible  and  appropriate,  Greenland  should  be
involved in the implementation of this Action Plan through Community programmes open to
Greenlandic participation.

In addition, and looking to the wider North, the EU will also pursue its cooperation with the
US and Canada in the context of the New Transatlantic Agenda12 with the US and the Joint
Statement on Northern Co-operation with Canada13. This can help build favourable synergies

11

12

13

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Mid term review of
the fourth fisheries protocol between the EU and Greenland, COM(2002)697 of 3.12.2002.
The full text of the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA), signed at the Madrid EU-US Summit on 3
December 1995, is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/us/new_transatlantic_agenda/text.htm.
The Joint Statement on Northern Co-operation was issued at the EU-Canada Summit held in Ottawa on
16 December 1999. The Joint Statement is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/canada/summit_12_99/north_cooperation.htm.

14

                                                
in fields such  as  environment, energy, nuclear safety,  public health,  indigenous peoples and
the promotion of sustainable development in circumpolar and adjacent regions.

4. MONITORING AND REVIEW MECHANISMS

The wide range of activities to be carried forward under the Northern Dimension Action Plan,
and the need for all partners to work together in a spirit of complementarity and subsidiarity,
makes  it  imperative  to  have  adequate  and  timely  mechanisms  for  monitoring  progress,
reviewing  achievements  and  identifying  shortcomings.  These  mechanisms  can  only  be
effective if based on the contributions of all partners involved.

The availability of up-to-date and readily-accessible information on the Northern Dimension
activities  and  achievements  will  also  enhance  the  visibility  of  our  work  for  all  partners
concerned (and for the public as a whole), making it possible to clearly identify what has been
achieved and by whom, what is underway or under preparation and what remains to be done.

In the context of the First Action Plan, the European Commission has already provided two
annual reports on Northern Dimension activities14. A third such report will be produced by the
end  of  2003.  These  documents  are  essential  in  informing  both  the  EU  Council  and  the
European Parliament on the progress made in the implementation of the Northern Dimension
Action Plan, fully involving these institutions in the monitoring and review mechanism. Other
reports, such as the annual progress report on EU-Canada co-operation on northern issues15,
can also contribute to the overall assessment of the progress achieved on specific issues in the
Northern Dimension region.

The 2001 and 2002 Commission reports gave a comprehensive overview of activities carried
out by the European Community in pursuit of Northern Dimension objectives and priorities,
but  were  limited  in  that  they  could  not  give  a  comprehensive  account  of  relevant  activities
carried  out  by  other  Northern  Dimension  partners.  It  will  be  important  to  correct  this
deficiency  during  the  implementation  of  the  Second  Action  Plan.-.  In  accordance  with  its
overall  co-ordination  role,  the  European  Commission  will  compile  these  comprehensive
annual reports, drawing on contributions received from all partners

In addition to these annual reports (and as the basis on which later reports can be compiled), it
will  also  be  useful  to  consider  the  establishment  of  an  Internet-based  system  of  providing
timely  updates  on  key  activities.  Such  a  system,  whose  effectiveness  would  very  much
depend on the active contributions of  all  partners, could be prepared in connection with the
entry into force of the present Action Plan.

Building on this regular and  comprehensive  reporting, Northern  Dimension  partners  will  be
able to keep the progress and achievements of the Action Plan under regular review. To this

14

15

A Northern Dimension for the Policies of the Union, document presented at the Ministerial Conference
held in Luxembourg on 9 April 2001,
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim/conf/formin2/invent_01.pdf, and the 2002
Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the Northern Dimension Action Plan, Commission
Staff Working Paper, SEC(2002) 1296, 26.11.2002,
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim/doc/progrep02.pdf.
EU-Canada annual reports on the Co-operation on Northern Issues are produced following the 1999
Joint Statement on Northern Co-operation (see footnote 7). The latest Progress Report on EU-Canada
co-operation on Northern Issues was adopted by the EU-Canada Summit held in Ottawa on 19
December 2002. The document is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/canada/sum12_02/index.htm#3.

15

                                                
end, a meeting of Senior Officials should be convened annually to assess the implementation
of the Action Plan, review progress to date and identify any areas in which a further stimulus
might be necessary. Senior Officials will also be responsible for providing political guidance
on the implementation of the Action Plan, and on its future development. In this connection,
the Senior Officials meeting in 2005 will be able to make recommendations on the follow-up
to the Second Action Plan, and on the issues to be addressed after 2006.

These annual meetings of Senior Officials should normally be held in the spring of each year,
and  should  bring  together  representatives  from  European  Union  institutions,  EU  Member
States, Partner Countries, Northern Dimension regional bodies, and the international financial
institutions.  The  participation  of  representatives  of  regional  and  local  authorities,  of  the
business community and of civil society should be encouraged.

To provide for the broad participation of civil society groups in reviewing progress under the
Action Plan, it would also be helpful if the European Economic and Social Committee would
be able to organise annual Fora on the implementation of the Action Plan, bringing together
representatives  from  the  social  and  economic  organisations  represented  in  the  Committee.
This would build on the useful experience of similar fora organised in 2001 and 2003. In the
same vein, it would be valuable if the EU Committee of the Regions might organise similar
fora on a regular basis, bringing together representatives of local and regional administrations
of the Northern Dimension area.

16

ANNEX 1

The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan, 2004-06

Specific activities to be pursued in addressing the priority objectives

set in the Action Plan

The priority objectives to be addressed under the Second Northern Dimension Action Plan are
set out in the main text, for each of the five priority sectors included in the Action Plan. This
annex, which represents an integral part of the Action Plan, elaborates on these objectives by
setting  out  the  specific  activities,  in  terms  of  both  dialogue  and  cooperation  actions,  which
Northern  Dimension  partners  will  pursue  in  implementing  the  Action  Plan  and  addressing
these priority objectives.

Many of the activities listed here have been proposed by EU Member States, partner countries
or  regional  bodies  in  the  context  of  the  wide  consultation  process  carried  out  by  the
Commission  from  November  2002  to  March  2003.  Others  have  been  proposed  by  the
Commission, building on and strengthening existing EU dialogues or programmes. The active
implementation of these activities, by Northern Dimension partners as a whole or bilaterally,
by  the  different  regional  bodies  and  other  stakeholders,  will  ensure  that  the  wide  range  of
issues covered by the Northern Dimension are most effectively addressed.

The list of activities given here should not however be considered as exhaustive, since there
are other initiatives under implementation or being developed by individual partners that can
also  contribute  effectively  to  the  achievement  of  the  key  Action  Plan  objectives.  It  will  be
important in reviewing progress towards these objectives that all relevant activities are kept in
mind.

In the implementation of all the objectives of the Action Plan, a key role will be played by the
EU-Russia PCA dialogue, by Community programmes such as Tacis, Phare and INTERREG,
and in the future by Structural Funds (also for the new Member States) and by the activities of
all Northern Dimension partners, including regional bodies and other stakeholders.

17

Northern Dimension activities, by priority objective, 2004-06

1. ECONOMY, BUSINESS, INFRASTRUCTURE

1.1. Trade, Investment promotion and business co-operation

To improve the framework conditions required for the establishment of a favourable business
climate,  including  inter  alia  the  removal  of  technical  and  other  barriers  to  trade  and
investment and enhanced networking and co-operation among the business community across
the region.

(cid:1)  Continued effective pursuit by the European Union and the Russian Federation of
the  Partnership  and  Co-operation  Agreement  dialogue  in  fields  related  to
economic  reform,  regulatory  convergence  and  competition  policy.  Continued
efforts  in  the  framework  of  the  creation  of  a  EU/Russia  Common  European
Economic  Space,  building  on  the  joint  concept  which  should  be  agreed  by  end-
2003. This means, inter alia, removal of non-tariff barriers to trade.

To  support  economic  reforms  and  regulatory  convergence  in  Russia,  reinforcing  the
transparency and predictability of trade relations.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  co-operation  among  all  partners  to  identify  and  remove  obstacles  to
trade and investment through appropriate studies, benchmarking and reporting.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  dialogue,  networking  and  co-operation  among 

the  business
community across the region (all partners), including notably activities carried out
through  such  bodies  as  EU-Russian  Industrialists’  Round  Table,  the  ScanBelt
project supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the BaltPartenariat of
the Baltic Sea Chambers of Commerce Association.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  dialogue,  networking  and  co-operation  among  consumers’  groups
and regulatory bodies across the region, building on the work being carried out by
the Nordic Council of Ministers.

To  promote  the  creation  and  development  of  SMEs,  especially  Russian  SMEs,  and  their
adjustment  to  the  European  market.  Northern  Dimension  Partners  will  work  to  facilitate
SMEs’ access to capital, encourage the exchange of best practice and training and promote
better knowledge of regulations.

(cid:1)  Continued  promotion  and  development  of  SMEs  on  the  basis  of  the  European
Charter  for  Small  Enterprises,  adopted  by  the  Feira  European  Council  in  June
200016 and the Nordic Charter for Small Innovative Companies, Entrepreneurs and
Independent Inventors adopted by the Nordic Ministers of Industry on 7 October
2002.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  participation  of  SMEs  and  other  stakeholders  from  Member  States,
acceding  countries,  Iceland  and  Norway  in  the  EU  Multi-annual  Programme  for
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in order to improve the business environment and

16

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enlargement/charter/index.htm.

18

                                                
implement the European Charter. This must be done through the exchange of best
practice  and  the  stimulation  of  the  debate  between  public  authorities  and  the
business  community  on  the  most  efficient  policy  tools  and  measures  to  foster
business development. Through the European Investment Fund it is now possible
for  financial  institutions  in  Member  States  and  acceding  Countries  to  operate  in
the  sector  of  risk  capital  and  borrowing  to  SMEs.  Support  is  provided  by  the
network  of  Euro-Info  Centres,  68  of  which  presently  cover  the  Northern
Dimension region17.

(cid:1)  Continued support provided to Nordic SMEs by the Nordic Project Fund (Nopef –
Nordic  Council  of  Ministers),  through  loans  and  grants  for  co-financing  of
feasibility studies aiming at an investment into  a  new market.  During  the period
2004  –  2006  Nopef  will  start  at  least  300  new  feasibility  studies  in  Northwest
Russia,  Estonia,  Latvia  and  Lithuania.  The  result  will  be  around  120  new
investments,  especially  in  Northwest  Russia,  Estonia,  Latvia  and  Lithuania,  but
also  in  Poland  and  Ukraine.  Russia  will  in  2004-2006  continue  to  be  the  main
market of Nopef with 25% of the feasibility studies.

(cid:1)  Continued  support  provided  by  the  CBSS  Working  Group  on  Economic  Co-
operation in benchmarking and circulating information on best practice through its
Internet gateway system18.

(cid:1)  Pursuit of the stimulation of competitive and innovative business through projects
such  as  CONNECT,  supported  by  INTERREG  until  May  2005,  involving  25
regional  technology  transfer  agencies  in  Norway,  Germany,  Denmark,  Sweden,
Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

To  support  industrial  enterprises  in  their  moves  towards  more  sustainable  production,  in
order  to  improve  economic  performance  while  addressing  environmental  concerns  and
offering socio-economic opportunities to the indigenous peoples of the region.

(cid:1)  Continued  financial  support  to  be  provided  by  the  Nordic  Finance  Group,
consisting of the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), the Nordic Environment Finance
Corporation  (NEFCO),  the  Northern  Development  Fund  (NDF)  and  the  Nordic
Project  Fund  (Nopef)  to  companies  and  SMEs  working  on  cleaner  production
programmes.

(cid:1)  Continued  effective  implementation  of  Cleaner  Production  programmes,  such  as
training  courses,  introduced  in  the  Russian  part  of  the  Barents  Euro-Arctic
Region,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Barents  Euro-Arctic  Council  and  with
financial support from NEFCO Revolving Fund for Cleaner Production.

(cid:1)  Pursuit  of  dialogue  and  networking  by  all  Northern  Dimension  partners  on
economic  incentives  and  eco-efficiency  tools,  implementation  of  international
conventions  and  agreements  to  promote  management  of  environmental  issues  in
industry.

17

18

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/networks/eic/eic.html.
www.balticmarket.org.

19

                                                
(cid:1)  Continued 

implementation  of 

the  COMPASS  project
(Competitive Alternatives for Sustainable Private Sector Investments in the Baltic
Sea Region) led by Northern German Laender, with INTERREG funding.

initiatives  such  as 

(cid:1)  Strengthened  attention  to  be  paid  by  all  Northern  Dimension  partners  to
indigenous interests in relation to economic activities, and in particular extractive
industry,  with  a  view  to  protecting  inherited  rights  of  self-determination,  land
rights and cultural rights of indigenous peoples of the region.

To  facilitate  trade  and  economic  relations  along  the  old  and  new  border  of  the  European
Union,  through  the  improvement  of  integrated  border  management.  Clearance  time  for
border  crossings  of  goods  should  be  reduced  to  a  maximum  of  two  hours.  Northern
Dimension partners will achieve this objective particularly by encouraging  the  convergence
of  custom  legislation,  by  fighting  corruption,  and  through  the  modernisation  of  border-
crossing infrastructure and the rationalisation of procedures at borders.

(cid:1)  Continued effective implementation of Tacis projects assisting the modernisation

of border-crossing points along the border of the enlarged Union.

(cid:1)  Continued construction or modernisation of Polish border-crossings, in particular
along the border with the Kaliningrad Oblast. Grzechotki – Mamonovo II border
crossing and modernisation of Gołdap – Gusev crossing.

(cid:1)  Continued  construction  or  modernisation  of  Lithuanian  border-crossings,  in
particular  along  the  border  with  the  Kaliningrad  Oblast.  Border  inspection  posts
constructed with Phare assistance in Kybartai (rail) and Panemune (road).

(cid:1)  Enhanced co-operation between Northern Dimension national administrations, in
particular through the Task Force II for Customs Co-operation under the Working
Group  for  Economic  Co-operation  of  the  BEAC  and  the  CBSS  Working  Group
for  Economic  Co-operation,  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  Border  Control  Conference
(BSR-BCCC),  the  Baltic  Sea  Chambers  of  Commerce  Association  (BCCA)  and
the Business Advisory Council (BAC).

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  projects  such  as  Telematics  in  Foreign  Trade  Logistics  and
Delivery  Management  (TEDIM),  aimed  at  developing  logistics  and  related
information processing in Baltic Sea region. TEDIM development areas relate to
border  crossing  IT  procedures,  information  management  on  rail  and  at  sea,
logistical  service  networks  and  harmonising 
this  potential.  Participating
companies provide project funding, but funding has also been available from EU
TEN Transport, INTERREG, Phare and Tacis.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  co-operation  for  the  introduction  or  improvement  of  integrated
border management with the full engagement of all parties involved, according to
the methodology of the Laufzettel project, developed within the framework of the
Baltic Sea Customs Conference (BSCC).

1.2. Energy

To help develop the electricity and natural gas networks in the Northern Dimension region,
thus  contributing  to  the  competitive  operation  of  the  EU  internal  energy  market  and  to  the
security of energy supplies across Europe. Northern Dimension partners will work to improve

20

the  co-ordination  of  energy  production  and  supply,  and  to  achieve  full  integration  of  the
accession  countries  in  the  EU  priority  axes  for  energy  networks  and  into  a  Common
European Energy Market.

(cid:1)  Continued  efforts  by  the  European  Commission  to  identify  the  priorities  for
energy  infrastructures.  These  will  be  established  in  the  revised  Guidelines  for
Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E), to be adopted by the Commission in
2003.  The  full  integration  of  the  accession  countries  in  the  EU  priority  axes  for
energy  networks  will  be  also  analysed  in  the  course  of  2003,  including  the
increased 
transportation  of  oil  by  pipelines.  The  Commission’s  recent
Communication  on  energy  policy  for  the  enlarged  European  Union19  sets
guidelines  to  face  up  to  the  challenges  of  growing  external  energy  dependence
between  the  EU  and  its  neighbouring  countries.  It  also  examines  the  need  to
address infrastructure issues on a regional level, to diversify sources of energy, at
both  geographical  and  technological  level,  and  to  broaden  the  basis  for  energy
trade in Europe and its adjoining countries.

(cid:1)  Continued  preparations  for  an  electricity  connection  (Power  Bridge)  between

Lithuania and Poland.

(cid:1)  Further  encouragement  to  the  development  of  mutually  beneficial  regional
electricity  market,  through  European  Commission  participation  in  the  joint
committee  of  Baltic  Sea  states  on  electric  power  industry  BALTREL20,  on  the
basis of the 2002 study: “Towards a Common electricity Market in the Baltic Sea
region”, which presented an analysis of the main issues for the development of an
open electricity market in the Baltic Sea region.

(cid:1)  Further  encouragement  to  the  work  of  Baltic  Gas  with  thirteen  participating  gas
companies to further develop the gas pipeline and gas storage infrastructure in the
region.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  dialogue  in  the  framework  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  Energy  Co-
operation (BASREC), encompassing Denmark, Poland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania,  Russia,  Finland,  Sweden,  Norway  and  Iceland.  The  European
Commission is represented by the Directorate General for Energy and Transport.

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  projects  such  as  BalticCHAIN21  (funded  by  the
INTERREG  Programme)  on  provision  of  legislative  information  to  generate
concrete  projects  and  establish  structures  such  as  a  Project  Preparation  Fund  or
Guarantee Agencies.

The European Union and the Russian Federation will continue their work to strengthen the
EU-Russia Energy Dialogue22, launched at the EU-Russia Summit of October 2000 with the
purpose to improve energy cooperation.

19

20

21

22

Commission Communication On the Development of Energy Policy for the Enlarged European Union its
neighbours and partner countries, COM(2003)262 Final of 13 May 2003.
BALTREL – Baltic Ring Electricity Co-operation Committee, gathering 18 organisations with operations
in 11 countries. For more information : http://www.baltrel.com/.
BalticCHAIN – Baltic Clearing House and Information Network
http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/lpi_en_3.html.

21

                                                
(cid:1)  Continued  EU-Russia  dialogue  and  implementation  of  joint  projects  in  the
following  areas:  improvement  of  the  energy  legal  framework,  security  of  the
energy transport networks, new energy transport infrastructure, legal security for
long term energy supplies, technology co-operation and energy efficiency.

(cid:1)  Identification and development of opportunities for energy saving initiatives in the
Russian  Federation  using  Kaliningrad,  Archangelsk  and  Astrakhan  (the  latter
outside  the  Northern  Dimension  region)  as  pilot  regions.  A  huge  potential  for
energy saving exists in the Russian Federation amounting to an estimated annual
saving of 400 Million ton oil equivalent (Mtoe).

(cid:1)  Implementation of the North European Gas Pipeline23, which is part of one of the
EU’s  TEN-E  priority  axes  and  also  one  of  the  projects  defined  as  being  of
“common  interest”  in the  EU-Russia Energy  Dialogue. An important  element of
the North European Gas Pipeline is the possibility of building spur lines, from the
main trunk, connecting with the Swedish East Coast close to Stockholm and to the
Kaliningrad Oblast. Spur lines to the new Member States should also be taken into
consideration.

To  ensure  that  the  development  and  utilisation  of  energy  resources  will  be  made  more
efficient  and  environmentally  friendly,  Northern  Dimension  partners  will  also  endeavour  to
ensure safe transportation of energy materials, to explore the possibilities for increased use of
renewable energy and to establish a testing ground for flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto
Protocol in the Baltic Sea Region.

(cid:1)  Continued attention to be paid to the safe transport of oil by ship from ports at the
Baltic  Sea,  such  as,  Ventspils  in  Latvia  and  Butinge  in  Lithuania,  Primorsk  and
potentially  from  Murmansk  in  Russia.  Concrete  initiatives  to  improve  the
situation are addressed under Maritime Safety (see below). This question will be
addressed more globally in the context of the projects of common interest  under
the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue.

(cid:1)  Continuation of the work of the Energy Efficiency Centres (Murmansk, Kirovsk,
Petrozavodsk, and Arkhangelsk), which are also Barents Energy Focal Points. The
centres  are  engaged  in  a  range  of  promotional  and  informational  activities,  and
they  serve  a  valuable  function  as  contact  points  between  energy  companies,
authorities, consultants and lenders.

(cid:1)  Promote and improve the use of wind energy, inter alia through the “Wind Energy
in the Baltic Sea Region” INTERREG project, which will run until January 2006,
promoted by the Northern German Laender.

(cid:1)  Increased  co-operation  among  all  Northern  Dimension  partners,  including
local/regional authorities, with a view to establishing a testing ground for flexible
mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol in the Baltic Sea Region as an instrument
for  deepened  energy  co-operation,  investment  and  policy  co-ordination  in  the
whole area.

23

The North European Gas Pipeline would bring gas from Northern Russia to Germany and then onwards
to the Netherlands and the UK.

22

                                                
1.3. Transport

To address bottlenecks  and  choke  points  in  the  Northern  Dimension  region,  creating  at  the
same time an environmentally friendly transport network integrating accession countries. The
basis for such a work will be provided by the Commission revision of the Guidelines for the
Trans-European  Transport  Network  (TEN-T)  and  the  Commission  White  Paper  “European
Transport Policy for 2010”24.

(cid:1)  Continued  work  of  the  High  Level  Group,  established  by  the  European
Commission  and  chaired  by  K.  Van  Miert  (former  Vice-President  of  the
Commission),  composed  of  representatives  from  Member  States  and  Accession
countries.  The  Group  will  assist  the  Commission  with  the  preparation  of  a
proposal  for  a  far-reaching  revision  of  the  Decision  (1692/96)  related  to  the
Community priorities for the development of the TEN-T.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  integration  of  accession  Countries  in  the  TEN-T  system,  in
in  a  Commission

accordance  to  the  principles  and  objectives 
Communication to be issued in 2003.

laid  out 

(cid:1)  Strengthened  implementation  of  Pan-European  Corridors  and  Areas,  notably
Pan-European Corridors I and IA (Helsinki to Warsaw and to Gdansk, via Tallinn,
Riga  and  Kaunas),  and  Corridor  IX  (Helsinki  to  St  Petersburg,  Moscow  and
Pskov,  Kiev,  and  on  to  Chisinau  and  to  Alexandropoulis),  as  well  as  the  links
from Kaliningrad and Klaipeda via Vilnius to Minsk.

(cid:1)  Implementation of the satellite navigation system Galileo, which can have a huge
potential impact on the transport infrastructure in the Northern Dimension region.
The  shortcomings  of  currently  available  satellite  navigation  services  are
accentuated  under  the  particular  geographic  and  demographic  conditions  of  the
Northern  Dimension  countries.  Support  will  have  to  be  given  by  the  European
Commission and EU Member States to the implementation of Galileo, designed to
overcome  these shortcomings  and to boost  innovation in  the  region.  The  system
will  significantly  improve  the  availability  of  reliable  open  and  protected
navigation  services  for  transport  and  search  and  rescue  operations.  Moreover,
Galileo  will  reduce  dependence  of  critical  infrastructures  (power  generation,
banking etc) on time synchronisation services of the GPS system controlled solely
by the US government.

(cid:1)  Continued implementation of the 2003-2005 Barents Euro-Arctic Transport Area
(BEATA),  aimed  at  producing  a  series  of  studies  and  plans  covering  coherently
the  entire  Barents  Region  (forecasts  and  models  of  passenger  and  freight
transport).  This  will  eventually  lead  to  a  compilation  of  national  transport
investment  programs  that  support  the  regional  perspective  and  elimination  of
border  constraints.  The  activities  will  contribute  to  the  development  of  an
efficient, sustainable transport system focusing on the improvement of necessary
east-west  transport  possibilities  in  the  Barents  region.  Funding  provided  by

24

European Transport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide, COM(2001)370 final, 12 September 2001,
available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/lb_en.html.

23

                                                
national  and  county  financial  resources  and  the  INTERREG  III  B  programme
Baltic Sea Region.

(cid:1)  Promotion  of  cross-border  rail  transport,  addressing  gauge  incompatibility
through  the  standardisation  of  changeable  railcar  axles.  A  full-scale,  2-year
demonstration  project  will  commence  in  autumn  2004  on  the  Finland-Sweden
border. When economically feasible, the construction of standard European track
gauges  (e.g.  between  the  Polish  border  and  Kaunas,  Lithuania)  could  also  be
considered.

To  increase  safety  levels  within  all  modes  of  transport.  High  priority  will  be  attributed,  in
particular,  to  maritime  safety,  with  a  view  to  protecting  the  marine  environment  from
accidents  that  threaten  sea  and  coastal  ecosystems  as  well  as  the  socio-economic  life  of
populations involved. Scientific research will support such activities.

(cid:1)  Implementation of the Commission proposal25 on accelerated phasing in of double
hull  oil  tankers26,  issued  following  the  Prestige  accident27.  The  Commission’s
proposal  is  based  on  three  main  elements:  (1)  a  provision  that  heavy  fuel  and
heavy  grades  of  oil  cannot  be  carried  in  single  hull  tankers  when  visiting  EU
ports,  (2)  an  acceleration  of  the  calendar  for  the  phasing-out  scheme  for  the
various  categories  of  single  hull  tankers  and  (3)  a  broader  application  of  the
technical inspection regime (the so-called Condition Assessment Scheme or CAS)
applying  to  that  type  of  vessels.  Attention  will  be  paid  to  other  maritime  safety
requirements stemming from the severe ice conditions in some parts of the Baltic.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  dialogue  and  co-operation  with  Russia,  accession  countries
bordering the Baltic Sea and third countries, since a significant share of the threat
of  oil  spills,  which  could  affect  European  shores,  originates  from 
the
transportation of heavy fuel and heavy grades of oil in sub-standard tankers flying
the flag of third countries. Such polluting oils shall only be carried by double hull
tankers.  This  is  in  line  with  the  suggestions  made  by  the  Commission  in  its
Communication  mentioned  above,  the  Conclusions  of  Copenhagen  European
Summit, the Conclusions of the Transport Council of 5–6 December 2002 and the
Resolution of the European Parliament of 19 December 200228.

(cid:1)  Implementation of concrete initiatives such as the INTERREG project “Northern
Maritime  Corridor  (NMC)”,  aimed  at  establishing  a  closer  partnership  between
national/regional  authorities  (including  port  authorities)  and  with  the  business
community  (manufacturers,  shippers,  oil  companies,  etc.)  to  maximise  the
regional  development  effect  in  the  north,  the  south  and  along  the  corridor.  The
Northern  Maritime  Corridor  is  essentially  the  western  extension  of  the  Northern
Sea Route as defined and long promoted by the Russian Federation. As with the
NMC, 
the  Northern  Sea  Route  contains  strong  elements  of  economic
development,  navigational  and  environmental  safety,  in  particular  as  oil  tanker
traffic from Murmansk increases in the future.

25

26

27

28

I.e. amendment of EC Regulation 417/2002
COM (2002) 780 final of 20 December 2002
COM (2002) 681 final of 3 December 2002
PA5 TA PROV (2002) 0629 On measures to alleviate the effects of the Prestige disaster.

24

                                                
(cid:1)  Carrying out of research projects such as ARCOP (ARCtic Operational Platform)
that commenced in January 2003 under Finnish co-ordination and concerned with
maritime  transport  of  oil  in  Arctic  waters  or  SAPITS  (SAfety  of  northern
PIpelines  and  associated  Transport  Systems)  currently  under  consideration  for
Tacis funding.

1.4. Telecommunications and Information Society

To  promote  the  co-ordinated  development  of  telecommunications,  information  society
networks  and  services  in  the  Northern  Dimension  region,  including  the  regulatory  and
administrative framework. A co-ordinated effort should be made to support Information and
Communication  Technologies  (ICT)  development  in  Northwest  Russia,  to  help  avoid  the
development of a technology and infrastructure gap.

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  the  Northern  eDimension  Action  Plan  (NeDAP)
through EU programmes and public/private funding at national and regional level.
In particular,  implementation of  co-operative  activities with  a  clear  focus  on  the
following priority action lines:

–  Infrastructure and faster Internet access;

–  Skills and Internet Usage for business, citizens and government; and

–  Stimulating the use of the Internet.

(cid:1)  Effective implementation of NeDAP activities in key sectors such as: High Speed
Research  Networks  and  advanced broadband  applications,  ICT  Security,  eSkills,
eCommerce,  eGovernment  eIndicators  and  eEnvironment,  needed  to  strengthen
the Northern region’s leading position in the Information Technology (IT) sector.
Continued  dialogue  and  networking,  involving  all  relevant  actors,  will  also  be
necessary in order to ensure an adequate follow-up of NeDAP, which expires in
2004.

(cid:1)  Improved planning by governments in the Northern Dimension region and the EU
neighbouring countries for the adoption of the Information Society and promotion
of new technologies by Governments, Business and Citizens.

(cid:1)  Promotion  of  policies  in  EU  neighbouring  countries  designed  to  attract
investments  into  the  IT  market  and  to  encourage  the  development  of  a  pro-
competitive  regulatory  framework  in  the  sectors  of  telecommunications  and
electronic commerce and reduce the East-West digital divide

(cid:1)  Promotion  and  support  to  regional  co-operation  for  the  inter-operability  of
networks  (including  research  networks)  and  services  in  the  Northern  Dimension
region  and  the  EU  neighbouring  countries,  including  e-commerce  services  and
electronic signatures.

(cid:1)  Continued implementation of Nordunet2, a Nordic Council of Ministers research
program on advanced Internet and Internet applications in the sectors of Research
and Development.

25

Bearing  in  mind  the  importance  of  ICT  in  helping  the  Northern  Dimension  region  to
overcome  the  disadvantages  caused  by  long  distances  and  a  harsh  climate,  Northern
Dimension  partners  will  make  every  effort  to  accelerate  the  transition  of  the  region  to  an
information  society,  to  ensure  better  living  conditions  and  access  to  modern  services,
including telemedicine and e-learning.

(cid:1)  Further  promotion  of  the  use  of  telemedicine  by  extending  a  project  covering
hospitals in  Arkhangelsk  and  Tromso  into  other  areas  of  Russia.  At  present,  the
project  includes  building  a  telemedicine  studio  in  Arkhangelsk,  as  part  of  a
network  of  16  studios  in  the  oblast.  Initiative  financed  by  the  INTERREG
programme, Norway and Russian partners.

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  projects  on  e-learning  such  as  the  Barents  Virtual
University,  the  University  of  the  Arctic  and  the  Baltic  Sea  Virtual  Campus,  a
common  systems  platform  for  e-learning  and  virtual  study  courses,  funded
through the INTERREG III B programme.

(cid:1)  Promotion of the eBarents Action Plan to survey the possibilities of access to the
Internet  in  remote  areas,  facilitate  development  of  broadband  networks  crossing
the borders of the Barents Region and develop a plan for wider dissemination of
ICT knowledge.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  attention  to  be  paid  by  all  Northern  Dimension  partners  to  make  sure
that plans for developing Telecommunications and Network infrastructure as well
as e-business take proper account of the interests of indigenous communities and
institutions.

2. HUMAN RESOURCES, EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

2.1. Human Resources, Education and Culture

To  promote  the  creation  of  a  “knowledge-based  region”  by  promoting  joint  projects,
networking  and  mobility  in  the  fields  of  education,  research,  culture  and  youth  and  by
bringing learning to remote areas through Internet-based tools.

(cid:1)  Continued support to curriculum development, development of teaching methods
and  material  as  well  as  to  the  improvement  of  university  management  through
multilateral co-operation projects involving higher education establishments from
EU  Member  States  and  the  Tempus  Partner  Countries  (including  the  Russian
Federation)  as  well  as  to  the  mobility  of  academic  staff  in  the  said  countries
through the Tempus III programme; continued support to multilateral projects and
student  mobility  in  the  field  of  education  and  vocational  training  through
Community  instruments  such  as  Socrates  and  Leonardo  da  Vinci  which
encompass  EU  Member  States,  Acceding  and  Candidate  Countries  as  well  as
Norway and Iceland. All these programmes will run until 2006

(cid:1)  Continued use of the Nordic Grant Scheme of the Nordic Council of Ministers to
develop  long-term  collaboration  projects  in  the  fields  of  higher  education  and
research,  and  in  the  voluntary  sector,  through  the  NORDPLUS  Neighbour
initiative.  The  focus  will  be  on  Nordic  languages,  culture  and  society,  and
environmental  technology.  Annual  funding  of  €1.3m  from  2004-2006  will  be

26

provided  by  partner  countries  in  the  Northern  Dimension  and  the  Nordic
countries.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  co-operation  and  networking  with  Russian  institutions  through  the
Barents  Virtual  University29  and  the  University  of  the  Arctic’s  multi-lateral
structures30.

(cid:1)  Launch and implementation of a NCM  Action  Plan  for  Education  and Scientific
Research  co-operation  with  Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania  and  Northwest  Russia
aimed  at  developing  a  common  Nordic-Baltic  region  for  education  and  research
and  to  further  develop  Nordic  co-operation  with  Russian  authorities  and
institutions.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  development  of  curriculum,  teaching  methods  and  materials  at
Kaliningrad  State  University,  offering  a  model  for  other  Russian  institutions,
through  the  EuroFaculty-Kaliningrad  Project,  funded  by  Denmark,  Germany,
Norway and Sweden in the CBSS framework.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  support  to  the  Baltic  Sea  Secretariat  for  Youth  Affairs,  a  hub  for
information  distribution  and  co-ordination  for  all  youth  issues,  including  the
development  of  a  regional  youth  identity  and  the  encouragement  of  youth
involvement  in  civil  society/business.  Funding  provided  by  Sweden,  Finland,
German Estonia, Lithuania, Norway and Russia.

(cid:1)  Continued  provision  of  information  on  opportunities  through  the  Barents  Youth
Co-operation Office in Murmansk, co-financed by Norway, Sweden, Finland and
Russia in the BEAC framework.

(cid:1)  Enhanced mobility for students, teachers, researchers and academic personnel by
applying  the  Swedish  experience  of  the  Visby  Programme31  elsewhere  in  the
Northern Dimension region.

(cid:1)  Promotion of co-operation through the use of e-Learning, Virtual Study facilities
and  cross-border  joint  curricula,  through  the  Baltic  Sea  Virtual  Campus,  a
common  systems  platform  for  e-learning  and  virtual  study  courses,  funded
through the INTERREG III B programme.

To  promote  a  dialogue  that  enables  them  to  develop  the  region  as  a  dynamic  and  open
cultural area, raising awareness of cultural heritage, including as a promoter for local and
regional development.

(cid:1)  In  the  BEAC  framework,  preparation  of  joint  actions  by  national  and  regional
organisations, such as the Barents Regional Council’s action plan for multi-lateral
co-operation,  which  includes  projects  such  as  the  Barents  Portal  of  Cultural
Networks and Gateway to Barents, a training  centre  for  project leaders,  some  of
which are funded through INTERREG.

29

30

31

http://www.bvuniversity.org/.
http://www.uarctic.org/.
http://www.si.se/e_visby/2544.cs?dirid=11608.

27

                                                
(cid:1)  Promotion  of  multilateral  co-operation  and  dialogue  on  cultural  projects  around

the Baltic Sea through the Ars Baltica network32.

(cid:1)  Continued use of the Nordic Council of Ministers Culture Programme for Saami
cultural  co-operation,  for  providing  grants  to  young  artists,  for  supporting
translation of literature from a Nordic to a Baltic language and vice versa and for
supporting seminars on inter-cultural co-operation.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  regional  co-operation on the basis of the  report  to  be  presented  by
the Baltic Sea Monitoring Group on Heritage Co-operation at the 2003 meeting of
Ministers of Culture in St Petersburg, including the establishment of a Baltic Sea
Forum, as a platform for effective co-ordination of activities.

2.2. Scientific Research

To  improve  communication  and  information  exchange  among  all  sectors  of  the  scientific
community  in  Russia  (including  Kaliningrad)  and  in  the  enlarged  EU,  encouraging  at  the
same  time  the  involvement  of  young  researchers.  They  will  improve  the  dissemination  of
information  to  the  scientific  community  at  large  in  the  region  and  create  a  mechanism  for
stimulating co-operation between the many scientific institutes and universities in the North.

(cid:1)  Creation of a Northern Dimension Research Network for Science and Technology
for  the  longer-term  strengthening  and  promotion  of  scientific  capacity  and  co-
operation  in  the  north,  particularly  in  view  of  the  enlargement  process  and  the
participation  of  Russia  in  the  6th  EU  Framework  Programme  on  Research,
Technological Development and Demonstration33 (RTD).

To strengthen research and technology-development activities, particularly in sectors relating
to  climate  change,  environmental  protection,  sustainable  management  and  utilisation  of
natural  resources,  safety  and  security  of  energy  supplies,  maritime  safety,  social  and
economic developments in the region.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  targeted  research  within  a  largely  northern  European  consortium  will
provide  a  scientific  basis  for  increasing  the  safety  of  ice  bound  shipping.  It  is
expected that this research will be supported within the thematic research priority
1.6.2  Sustainable  Surface  Transport,  objective  4.11  of  the  in  the  6th  EU
Framework  Programme  on  Research,  Technological  Development  and
Demonstration (RTD) and will provide a major contribution to the establishment
of  a  solid  knowledge  base  for  the  design  and  maintenance  of  ice  strengthened
vessels operating within northern waters.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  support will be provided for  the integration  of  risk based  ship  design.
This will focus on strategies and technologies to improve maritime safety in terms
of  new  ship  designs,  operational  procedures  and  risk-based  regulations.  A
systematic  and  all-embracing  approach  to  ship  safety  will  lead  to  a  strategic
overview  of  safety  and  effective  use  of  critical  technologies.  Important  for  the
environment  and  also  for  the  northern  shipping  industry.  The  participation  of

32

33

http://www.ars-baltica.net/.
More information on the 6th EU Framework Programme on RTD is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/index_en.html.

28

                                                
Russia  and  Baltic  countries  is  possible  within  the  financial  rules  of  6th  EU
Framework  Programme  on  Research,  Technological  Development  and
Demonstration (RTD).

(cid:1)  Enhanced research activity in the High-North, building inter alia on UK research
into  the  role  of  the  high-latitude  ocean  in  decadal  climate  variability,  the
sensitivity  of  marine  eco-systems  to  environmental  change,  fluctuations  in  the
mass of sea ice and ice sheets, and the role of boreal forests in the Earth System.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  emphasis  on  the  circumpolar  Arctic  through  International  Polar
Year  (2007).  Discussions  are  already  underway  in  the  international  scientific
community to define priorities and collaborative efforts. Activities of interest are
related  to  climate  change  and  its  impacts,  adaptation  measures,  indigenous
communities,  pollution  pathways,  new  technologies,  etc.  In  particular,  Russia
aims to play a strong and visible role in the IPY and is supported in this aim by
the European Commission.

(cid:1)  Development  of  the  knowledge  required  to  establish  a  more  harmonised  and
effective  monitoring  regime  for  illicit  oil  discharges  through  the  OCEANIDES
project (3-year duration) that commenced in December 2002 as a contribution to
environmental  protection  in  the  entire  maritime  territories  of  Germany  in  the
Baltic and North Seas and part of the Finnish maritime territory in the Baltic Sea.
Co-ordinated  by  the  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC)  of  the  European  Commission,
the project includes German, Finnish, Norwegian and British partners.

(cid:1)  Improved effectiveness of fisheries monitoring in the Baltic through a 3-year JRC
project to commence during 2003. Providing support to the enlargement process,
customers are the fisheries monitoring authorities of Latvia, Poland, Lithuania as
well  as  Denmark,  Finland,  Sweden  and  Germany.  The  effort  will  focus  on
integration  of  monitoring  technologies  (remote  sensing,  JRC  software  tools  and
modelling activities relating to cod stocks in the Baltic Sea).

(cid:1)  Strengthened  international  networking  on  sustainability  research,  through  the
Virtual  Research  Institute  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  and  the  Baltic  21  Institute
for Sustainable Industry.

2.3. Public Health

To  address  the  challenges  linked  to  the  fight  against  major  communicable  diseases,  and
particularly tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. In addition to this, special attention will be paid to
health problems in children and young people, addressing also the social and economic roots
of such diseases.

(cid:1)  Enhanced dialogue and effective implementation of concrete activities through the
Task  Force  on  Communicable  Diseases  Control  established  in  the  CBSS
framework, through which 150 projects have been undertaken involving regional
organisations in disease surveillance, HIV and tuberculosis control, prevention of
antimicrobial resistance, support to primary health care and health in prisons.

(cid:1)  Implementation of the BEAC 2003-2007 programme on health and related social

issues, principally funded by participating countries.

29

(cid:1)  Establishment of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social
Wellbeing and rapid implementation of concrete projects in the region to address
the  problems  related  to  communicable  and  lifestyle-related  chronic  diseases.
Building  on  a  joint  concerted  action  at  international  level,  the  Partnership  will
strongly  emphasise  the  necessity  of  prevention,  working  to  re-orient  public
policies and strategies as well as health and social services. The Partnership will
have to integrate some existing co-operation systems and structures, with a view
to maximising their overall effectiveness on a regional scale.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  region-wide  projects  covering  EU  Member  States,  accessing
countries,  Iceland  and  Norway  on  improving  information  and  knowledge  on
public  health  issues,  enhance  the  capability  of  responding  rapidly  and  in  a  co-
ordinated way to health threats, promote health and prevent disease by addressing
the health determinants.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  exchange  of  information  among  all  partners  of  the  region  on  the
promotion  of  healthier  lifestyles,  the  role  of  education  and  training  on  health  of
children/young  people.  Development  of  high  quality  statistics  comparable
between countries through the NCM committees on health and social statistics.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  some  400  projects  between  2004-2006  through  the  NCM
Action  Plan  for  Children  and  Youth  in  the  3  Baltic  Countries  and  Russia,  to
improve  the  health  of  children  in  Russia,  particularly  street/prison  children.
Funding provided by central and local authorities and partner NGOs.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  co-operation  between  the  5  Nordic  countries,  Estonia,  Latvia,
Lithuania  and  North  West  Russia  in  the  framework  of  a  Partnership  and  Action
Plan  on  combating  use  of  narcotic  drugs,  funded  by  the  Nordic  Council  of
Ministers.

To  enhance  and  extend  international  cooperation  on  public  health  issues  beyond
communicable  diseases  as  such,  in  order  to  address  also  the  social  determinants  of  health
problems,  the  impact  of  the  environment  on  citizens’  health  and  the  structural  reform  of
health services across the region.

(cid:1)  Promotion  of  the  establishment  of  a  Northern  Dimension  partnership  in  Public
Health and Social wellbeing to support concerted and wide-ranging joint actions
to  overcome  the  serious  health  and  social  problems  in  the  area.  The  partnership
could  reinforce  wide  collaboration  of  countries,  organisations,  financial
institutions,  business  and  industry,  communities  and  civil  society.  It  should  be
based on long-term sustained commitments by equal partners, with initial impetus
coming from the Northern Dimension partner countries themselves.

(cid:1)  Through  the  6th  EU  Framework  Programme  on  RTD  and  national  research
programmes, promotion of research on the relationship between the environment,
pollution  and  health,  notably  by  monitoring  human  exposure  to  mercury,
persistent organic pollutants and other chemicals.

30

3. ENVIRONMENT, NUCLEAR SAFETY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

3.1. Environment

To  strengthen  the  EU-Russia  dialogue  on  environmental  issues  in  the  framework  of  the
Partnership  and  Co-operation  Agreement,  and  work  for  the  full  respect  of  international
conventions on environment.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  co-operation  of  all  partners  to  ensure  convergence  of  environmental
legislation, standards  and norms throughout  the  region, including  Environmental
Impact Assessment.

(cid:1)  Improved  enforcement  of  laws,  environmental  monitoring  and  capacity  building

of environmental administration at regional level in Northwest Russia.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  commitment of all  partners  for  the  implementation  of  the  HELCOM34
Copenhagen Declaration on  maritime safety  and reduced  pollution and  the rapid
ratification  of  the  Kyoto  Protocol,  UN/ECE  Espoo,  Aarhus  and  Stockholm
Conventions.  Cooperation  on  Kyoto  Protocol  implementation,  in  particular  via
Joint Implementation projects and via the EU initiative on the Global Monitoring
for Environment and Security (GMES)35, identified as a joint EU-Russia field of
cooperation in the space sector36.

To monitor and tackle pollutants throughout the region, principally chemicals, POPs, heavy
metals, toxic and urban waste, in order to reduce their impact on the Barents and Baltic Seas,
on inland waters and on the Arctic. Particular attention will also be paid to the problem of air
pollution and to the promotion of cleaner production systems.

(cid:1)  Enforcement  or  development  of  national  legislation  ensuring  convergence  with
European  regulations  or  directives  on  (inter  alia)  chemicals,  toxic  and  urban
waste, water and sea pollution, safety of oil transport by sea.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  attention to the monitoring of pollutants in the region, on the basis  of
reports  and  researches  carried  out  by  the  European  Environment  Agency,  the
Arctic  Council,  HELCOM  and  Baltic  2137.  Of  particular  relevance  in  this
framework:

34

35

36

37

The Helsinki Commission, or HELCOM, works to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution through intergovernmental co-operation between Denmark, Estonia, the
European Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. HELCOM is
the governing body of the "Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea
Area" - more usually known as the 1992 Helsinki Convention, entered into force on 17 January 2000.
More information available at: http://www.helcom.fi/.
COM(2001)609 final
A joint statement was signed in 2001 between the European Commission, the European Space Agency
and the Russian Aviation and Space Agency under the EU-Russia Partnership and Co-operation
Agreement (PCA).
More information on Baltic 21, the CBSS initiative aimed at developing and implementing a regional
Agenda 21 in the Baltic Sea Region is available at: http://www.ee/baltic21/.

31

                                                
–  AMAP38 monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in  the Arctic, studying their

effect on Arctic species and integrate information on the effects on health.

–  PAME39 Working Group strategic plan to be developed over next 2 years, led by

Iceland and Canada.

–  Update  of  the  NEFCO/AMAP  report  on  priority  environmental  hot  spot  in  the
Russian part of the Barents region, to be presented by NEFCO in August 2003.

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  projects  financed  in  the  framework  of  EU

programmes such as Tacis, LIFE and INTERREG. Among others:

–  Tacis  €24  M  contribution  to  the  construction  of  a  South  West  Wastewater
Treatment Plant in St Petersburg. Support to similar activities in Kaliningrad.

–  Improve Water Quality Management in coastal zones through INTERREG project

due for completion by 2005.

–  Integrate coastal zone development through “BaltCoast” INTERREG project, due

for completion in 2005.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Joint  Comprehensive  Environmental  Action
Programme (JCP), aimed at reducing pollution in the Baltic Sea catchment area in
order to restore the ecological balance of the  Baltic Sea. Participants: HELCOM
Contracting  Parties,  other  countries  in  the  catchment  area,  NGOs  and  IFIs.
Individual  Hot  Spot  owners  in  co-operation  with  local,  regional,  national
programmes  and  international  donors  and  financing  institutions  finance  the
activities encompassed by the programme.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  projects  in  the  framework  of  the  2001-2004  Nordic
Environmental Action Plan of the Nordic Council of Ministers Projects, including
inter alia:

–  Nordic-Baltic  co-operation  on  chemicals:  EU  Accession  Support  Workshop
Programme  on  actual  Chemicals  Control  Issues,  in  the  framework  of  the  Baltic
countries Regional Projects on Chemicals Control (BACCON).

–  Air  Quality  Assessment  in  the  Baltic  Countries,  as  a  Consequence  of  Local
Pollution and Long Range Transport – a Co-operation between Nordic and Baltic
Countries within the Framework of EMEP’s 20 Years Assessment40.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  the  Arctic  Council  Action  Plan  to  Eliminate  Pollution  in  the
Arctic41,  established  by  the  Arctic  States,  entailing  several  projects  including  on

38

39

40

41

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, a working group of the Arctic Council
(http://www.amap.no/).
Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment, a working group of the Arctic Council
(http://www.pame.is/).
EMEP: Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-Range Transboundary Air
Pollutants in Europe
More information on the Arctic Council Action Plan To Eliminate Pollution of the Arctic (ACAP) is
available at: http://www.arctic-council.org/activities.html#acap.

32

                                                
cleaner  production,  and  control/elimination  of  PCBs,  obsolete  pesticides  and
dioxins.

To  make  full  use  of  multilateral  funding  mechanisms,  such  as  the  Northern  Dimension
Environmental Partnership and the Nordic Environmental Development Fund.

(cid:1)  Continued  effective 

implementation  of 

the
“Environmental Window” of the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership
Support  Fund.  Strengthened  dialogue  and  co-operation  among  the  International
Financial Institutions operating in the region, and especially NIB, EBRD, EIB and
NEFCO.

the  projects 

included 

in 

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  environmental  projects  in  the  framework  of  the  Nordic
Environmental  Development  Fund  (NMF)  established  by  the  Nordic  Council  of
Ministers  in  1995  and  managed  by  NEFCO.  The  fund  has  a  total  capital  of
approximately  €  40  million.  The  annual  contribution  to  the  fund  amounts  to
around  €  5  million.  The  fund  is  intended  to  complement  and  supplement  other
financing organisations, particularly IFIs and bilateral sources. Local participation
in the financing is required.

3.2. Nuclear Safety

To  implement  the  projects  included  in  the  Nuclear  Window  of  the  Northern  Dimension
Environmental  Partnership  Support  Fund  without  delay,  following  the  signature  of  the
agreement  establishing  a  Multilateral  Nuclear  Environmental  Programme  in  the  Russian
Federation  (MNEPR).  Priority  will  be  given  to  the  management  of  spent  nuclear  fuel  and
nuclear waste, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and nuclear powered submarines.

(cid:1)  Conclusion and implementation of the MNEPR agreement, which provides for the
necessary  legal  framework  for  carrying  out  multilateral  and  bilateral  nuclear-
related projects in the Russian Federation.

(cid:1)  Effective  and  rapid  implementation  of  the  first  projects  encompassed  by  the
Nuclear Window of the Northern  Dimension Environmental Partnership  Support
Fund, including42:

–  Infrastructure at Andreeva Bay;

–  Spent nuclear fuel management at Andreeva Bay;

–  Building 5 at Andreeva Bay;

–  Radioactive waste management at Andreeva Bay;

–  The Lepse;

–  Interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel;

42

More information on the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership, including details on the
projects mentioned in the text is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim/ndep/infomemo.pdf.

33

                                                
–  Interim storage facility for radioactive waste;

–  Repository  for  short  and  intermediate  level  short-lived  radioactive  waste  (at

Novaya Zemlya);

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  bilateral  (mainly  Norwegian-Russian)  projects  to
support the dismantling of Russian submarines and infrastructure development for
clean up at Andreeva Bay.

(cid:1)  Continued  implementation  of  the  programme  for  the  decommissioning  of  the

Ignalina (Lithuania) nuclear power plant.

To strengthen monitoring and the protection of environment from radiation through increased
co-operation,  including  improved  co-ordination  of  national  plans  for  dealing  with  nuclear
safety incidents in the region.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  networking  and  exchange  of  information  between  the  members  of
the CBSS on radiation monitoring data, on the basis of the Agreement  signed  at
the  CBSS  Ministerial  meeting  held  in  Hamburg  on  7  June  2001Continued
implementation of such agreement through the CBSS Working Group on Nuclear
and Radiation Safety, including common communication exercises with the CBSS
countries and CEC as participants.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  national  emergency  plans,  with  priority  given  to  preparedness  of
coherent  and  integrated  international  actions  within  the  region  and  increased
civilian  co-operation  with  Russia  to  improve  safety  and  safeguarding  of  nuclear
installations and waste sites.

(cid:1)  Enhanced role of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Arctic
Council  in  monitoring  the  radiation  levels  in  the  Arctic  region  and  providing
scientific  advice  to  decision-makers  on  the  initiatives  to  be  taken  to  combat
effectively these problems.

3.3. Natural Resources

To help ensure that Nordic and Arctic eco-systems and their bio-diversity shall remain viable,
vigorous and able to sustain human socio-economic needs, and to encourage the responsible
and  sustainable  utilisation  of  forests  and  fish  stocks,  with  the  active  participation  of  local
actors, communities, SMEs and indigenous peoples in the decision-making process.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  projects  within  the  framework  of  the  Nordic  Environment
Programme  for  Agriculture  and  Forestry  of  the  Nordic  Council  of  Ministers,
including:

–  Methanoxidation as integrated environment indicator;

–  Status for environmental regulations of Agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region;

–  Traditional Rural Biotopes and Landscapes- Management in the Nordic and Baltic

Countries.

34

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  projects 

the  Nordic  Forest  Research  Co-operation
Committee  (SNS)  of  the  Nordic  Council  of  Ministers.  Such  activities  include,
among others:

in 

–  Technology and the Nordic Forest Sector (a pilot study for 2003);

–  Nordic IUFRO thinning experiments in Norway spruce (2003-2005);

–  The potential of Larch wood for exterior use (2003-2005);

–  Structural  timber  quality  in  Norway  spruce:  Genetic  variation  and  rapid

measurement technique (2003-2005).

(cid:1)  Ensured follow up on the EU initiative on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance

and Trade (FLEGT) in the Northern Dimension area.

(cid:1)  Continued  development  of  the  NOVA-BOVA  University,  a  Nordic  Council  of
Ministers platform for Nordic co-operation and for exploring new ways to forge a
networking  university  without  boundaries)  NOVA  University  -  The  Nordic
forestry,  Veterinary  and  Agricultural  University  -  is  a  platform  for  efficient  and
innovative  Nordic  co-operation,  exploring  new  ways  to  forge  a  networking
university  without  boundaries.  The  BOVA  University  includes  NOVA  and  the
Baltic  countries.  The  aims  of  BOVA  is  the  same  as  for  NOVA.  The  BOVA
secretariat is placed in Lithuania.

(cid:1)  Enhanced  promotion  of  the  role  of  regional/local  administrations,  SMEs,  NGOs
and organisations of indigenous peoples in the conservation and sustainable use of
natural resources.

4. CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION

To  implement  cross-border  co-operation  initiatives  principally  on  priority  themes  such  as
economic 
and
telecommunication,  border  crossings  and  border  management,  public  health,  and  cultural
exchanges.

environmental 

development, 

protection, 

transport 

social 

and 

(cid:1)  Enhanced  co-operation  in  the  framework  of  the  present  INTERREG  III
programmes on the  Northern Dimension  Area,  including  the  participation  of  the
Russian partners.

(cid:1)  Support  provided  to  the  new  INTERREG  programmes  to  be  set  up  in  the  area
after 2004, especially those covering the new external border of the EU. Use as an
example  the  existing  well  functioning  structures  on  the  external  border.  These
INTERREG  programmes  more  fully  into  the  implementation  of  the  Northern
Dimension as well on the policy level as on the project level.

(cid:1)  Continued EU financial support for border crossings on the external borders of the
EU on the Northern Dimension area with a view of facilitating legal movements
of goods and people and prevention of illegal migration and smuggling.

(cid:1)  Continued  efforts  to  develop  within  these  programmes  joint  projects  with  a

genuine cross border or regional character, such as:

35

–  "The Gulf of Finland Growth Triangle" introduces a new concept of regional and
economic  co-operation.  The  aim  of  the  concept  is  to  promote  public-private  co-
operation,  trade  and  economic  development  between  Southern  Finland,  Estonia
and the St. Petersburg Area, i.e. across current and future external EU borders.

–  “Baltic  +”:  Southern  Baltic  Sea  with  participation  of  regions  from  Sweden,

Germany, Poland (duration until 2005).

–  “Via  Baltica  Nordica  Development  Zone”:  Northern  &  Eastern  Baltic  Sea
involving  regions  from  Finland,  Sweden,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Poland  and
the Kaliningrad Oblast (duration until 2005).

–  “SEAGULL DevERB”: South-Eastern Baltic Sea, a project related to Euroregion
Baltic:  local  and  regional  authorities  from  Sweden,  Denmark,  Latvia,  Lithuania,
Poland, and Kaliningrad (duration until 2005).

–  “Baltic  Palette  II”:  Central  &  Eastern  Baltic  Sea  with  regions  from  Sweden,
Finland,  Estonia,  Latvia,  as  well  as  the  Leningrad  Oblast  and  St  Petersburg
(duration until 2004).

–  South  Baltic  Arc”:  Southern  Baltic  Sea  coast  participation  of  regions  from
Germany,  Poland,  Lithuania,  Latvia  and  the  Kaliningrad  Oblast  (duration  until
2004).

–  “STRING  II”:  South-Western  Baltic  Sea  involving  regions  from  Germany,

Denmark, Sweden (duration until 2004).

–  “Metropolitan  Areas  (MA+)”:  Strengthening  competitiveness  of  metropolitan
areas  including  regions  and  municipalities  from  Germany,  Sweden,  Norway,
Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland as well as St. Petersburg and the Leningrad
Oblast (duration until 2005).

–  “Rural Development Connection”: Stimulate development in rural areas with the
participation  of  regions  and  municipalities  from  Germany,  Sweden,  Denmark,
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (duration until 2005).

–  “The PIPE project”: Attracting and involving youth for development in rural areas
with regions from Norway, Sweden,  Finland, Estonia,  Latvia  and  Lithuania  plus
the region of Murmansk (duration until 2004).

–  BALTCOAST especially its part (subproject) “The Vistula Lagoon / Baltijsk Spit
-common vision and ways of harmonisation different demands”. The Project aims
at demonstrating practical ways how to simultaneously promote development and
protection.  The  Project  is  led  by  Ministry  of  Labour  and  Construction  of
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany) and covers the coastal, as well as offshore,
areas all over the Baltic Sea (especially  in Denmark, Germany, Finland, Poland,
Sweden, Latvia, and Estonia).

To  strengthen  co-ordination  among  funding  programmes  operated  by  the  European  Union
and by other sources, including international financial institutions and the Nordic Council of
Ministers. The Russian Federation shall be involved in the co-financing of activities as much
as possible. The European Commission will make every effort to improve the co-ordination of
EU programmes, and particularly Tacis and INTERREG.

36

(cid:1)  Strengthened  co-ordination  between  national,  international  and  EU  financing  of

cross border and regional activities on the Northern Dimension Area.

(cid:1)  Continued efforts for the further consolidation of co-ordination between relevant
EU  instruments  which  promote  cross  border  and  regional  co-operation  on  the
Northern  Dimension  area 
the  possibility  of  creating  a  new
Neighbourhood Instrument which builds on the positive experiences of promoting
cross-border co-operation within the Phare, Tacis and INTERREG programmes.

including 

To further stimulate the close involvement of local actors, communities and administrations in
the whole process in order to strengthen subsidiarity and local ownership of projects. Better
results  will  be  achieved  by  building  on  existing  examples  of  tri-partite  co-operation  and  by
using  the  expertise  of  regional  and  sub-regional  bodies  such  as  the  Baltic  Sea  States  Sub-
regional Co-operation, the Union of Baltic Cities, the Barents Regional Council.

(cid:1)  Continued co-operation in the framework of the regional and sub-regional bodies
to  develop  the  local  and  regional  administration  in  the  neighbouring  Northwest
regions  of  Russia.  In  this  context  the  possibilities  offered  by  the  Institution
Building  Partnership  Programme  (IBBP),  which  is  funded  under  the  Tacis
Programme  and  aims  at  encouraging  the  submission  of  projects  proposals  by
NGOs,  Non  Profit  Organisations  and  local/regional  authorities  should  be  fully
exploited  as  well  as  the  different  twinning  programmes.  The  new  INTERREG
programme “Interact” could play a key role in this.

To address the key challenges faced by the Kaliningrad region in its future development as an
exclave  surrounded  by  the  European  Union.  The  EU,  the  Russian  Federation  and  other
partners will work on the implementation of cross-border projects dealing with economic and
social development, environmental issues, health issues, the fight against organised crime as
well as adequate infrastructure on the border crossings and efficient border management.

(cid:1)  Development  and  effective  implementation  of  the  trilateral  Poland-Lithuania-
Russia  INTERREG  III  A  programme  on  the  Kaliningrad  region  to  be  set  up  in
2004 in order to ensure the full commitment of the Kaliningrad regional and local
authorities to this programme.

(cid:1)  Cross border co-operation on this area to be promoted inter alia through:

–  A  joint  regional  development  plan  for  the  whole  area  on  the  basis  of  the

INTERREG III A programme.

–  Enhanced  co-operation  in  the  framework  of  the  Lithuanian-  Russian  “Nida”
initiative and the trilateral (Lithuania, Russia, Poland) INTERREG programme.

–  Provision  of  adequate  Tacis  funding  to  the  projects  related  to  this  trilateral

INTERREG programme through the Special Package for Kaliningrad.

–  Continued  financial  support  for  the  border  crossings  between  Kaliningrad  and

Poland and Lithuania.

37

5. JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

5.1. Prevention and fight against organised crime

To improve  the co-ordination among national  administrations  and police forces  in  order  to
optimise  the  use  of  resources,  develop  concrete  operational  measures  between  the  EU  and
Russia, and increase the effectiveness of law enforcement co-operation.

(cid:1)  Rapid and effective implementation of EU-Russia Action Plan  against  organised
crime. Use of the Community Programme AGIS43 to help legal practitioners, law
enforcement  officials  and  representatives  of  victim  assistance  services  from  the
EU  Member  States  and  accession  countries  to  set-up  Europe-wide  networks,
exchange  information  and  best  practices  in  the  field  of  cooperation  in  criminal
matters.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  the  Tacis  1  M€  project  on  organised  crime  in  Kaliningrad,

which will promote multi-disciplinary cooperation in the region.

(cid:1)  Strengthened  co-operation  between  the  Council  of  the  Baltic  Sea  States  Task
Force on Organised Crime in the Baltic Sea and other multilateral fora, in order to
avoid  duplication  and  improve  the  overall  effectiveness  of  the  actions  in  the
region.

(cid:1)  Continued dialogue and networking between Nordic Council and Baltic States in
the framework of Nordic-Baltic Co-operation, focusing in particular on legislation
shaping, co-operation between the supreme courts and training in this area, fight
against trans-national organised crime (including fight against terrorism and cyber
crime,  bio  terrorism  and  money  laundering),  co-operation  between  prisons
(NORD-BALT  follow-up)  and  trafficking  in  human  beings.  The  ministers  will
meet  regularly.  A  Nordic-Baltic  Contact  group  with  representatives  from  the
Ministries of Justice plans and co-ordinates the 5+3 meetings and are responsible
for the various implementation of actions decided by  the ministers. Such actions
involve seminars, conferences and networks. The Nordic Council of Ministers has
also financed a co-operation between prison administrations in northern Norway,
Sweden, Finland and Russia.

(cid:1)  Continued  support  for  police  forces  in  the  Baltic  States,  Kaliningrad  and  St
Petersburg  (e.g.  through  training,  transfer  of  knowledge,  combat  of  organised
crime  and  trafficking)  from  the  Ministries  of  the  Interior  of  Schleswig-Holstein
and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

(cid:1)  Continued  co-operation  between  the  penitentiary  authorities  in  Archangelsk  and
Schleswig-Holstein  on  e.g.  modernising  the  penitentiary,  training  of  personnel,
transfer of knowledge and expertise, material support.

43

More information on the EU AGIS Programme is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/agis/funding_agis_en.htm.

38

                                                
To  address  as  a  priority  trafficking  in  human  beings  and  drugs  and  tackle  crime  targeting
children and women.

(cid:1)  Exploration of the  possibilities  offered by the Community  Programme  Daphne44

to implement activities in the field of the fight against violence on women.

(cid:1)  Implementation of the 1 M€ Tacis Trafficking in Women project in Russia.

(cid:1)  Prioritisation of co-operative work on reducing the risk to children’s safety from
emerging technologies, on the basis, inter alia, of the proposals elaborated by the
Council of the Baltic Sea States Working Group for Co-operation on Children at
Risk.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  anti-trafficking  public  and  media  campaign  in  Murmansk

oblast, including seminars and training, through SIDA45 funding.

(cid:1)  Strengthened dialogue and development of appropriate measures in the context of

the Nord-Baltic Co-operation between Nordic Council and Baltic countries.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  Nordic-Baltic  Contact  group  seminars,  conferences  and
networks.  The  Nordic  Council  of  Ministers  has  also  financed  co-operation
between prison administrations in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

(cid:1)  Delivery  of  co-operation  programme  against  prostitution  and  trafficking  in
women,  under  the  Swedish  chairmanship  of  the  Nordic  Council  of  Ministers,
planned  for  2003-2004.  A  survey  of  the  situation  concerning  prostitution  and
trafficking in women and of existing initiatives in the Region will be followed by
projects aimed at strengthening the situation of victims and potential victims and
at discouraging the demand for sexual services from women and children.

5.2. Integrated border management

To  combat  illegal  immigration  and  other  cross-border  crime  through  improved  and
integrated border management.

(cid:1)  Strengthened regional co-operation on issues such as the return of illegal migrants
between the participating countries, implementation of the migration and asylum
policy,  detention  of  illegal  migrants,  first  contact  standards  for  asylum  seekers,
issues  related  to  the  implementation  of  an  EU-Russia  readmission  agreement
when signed.

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  Polish  modernisation  of  its  border  crossings  in  2003-2005,
with a view to prevention of illegal migration and smuggling of goods, as well as
shortened  waiting  times.  Along  border  with  Kaliningrad,  Poland  to  start
construction  of  Grzechotki-Mamonovo  II  border  crossing  and  modernisation  of
Gołdap-Gusev crossing.

44

45

More information on the EU Daphne Programme is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/daphne/funding_daphne_en.htm.
Swedish International Development Agency

39

                                                
(cid:1)  Implementation  of  the  Tacis  projects  on  modernisation  of  the  border  crossing
points in Kibarti - Chernyshevsky (8 M€) and Bezledy - Bagrationovsk (3 M€).

(cid:1)  Implementation of bilateral pilot projects aimed at reducing number of authorities
directly present at the border, launched in the Barents Region, jointly financed on
a  cost-sharing  basis  by  participating  states,  in  the  Barents  Euro-Arctic  Council
framework.

(cid:1)  Implementation of proposal for Polish Border Guards to invite Russian partners to
study  experience  of  German-Polish  border  and  consider  the  possibility  of  using
parts of this experience at their border.

(cid:1)  Promotion  of  the  measures  exemplified  by  the  trilateral  border  management  co-
operation  structures  between  Finland,  Estonia  and  Russia  and  between  Finland,
Norway and Russia.

5.3. Civil Protection

To improve and encourage the convergence of safety procedures, promoting at the same time
civil protection, good governance and direct public participation in project planning.

(cid:1)  Continued  effective 

the  EUROBALTIC  Programme
(INTERREG IIIB) for Civil Protection, aimed at improving the regional capacity
to protect human life, the environment and cultural heritage.

implementation  of 

(cid:1)  Implementation  of  Barents  Euro-Arctic  Council-promoted  Barents  Rescue  2001
follow-up  project  to  prevent  and  limit  consequences  of  accidents  in  the  Barents
Region,  to  clarify  and  simplify  applicable  legal/administrative  frameworks,  to
develop  a  map  of  present  emergency  and  rescue  resources  in  the  Region  and
establish a list of regional contact points, to compile clear and simple instruction
manuals in all relevant languages for request/provision of rescue assistance and to
develop  and  deepen  contacts  between  actors  with  emergency  and  rescue
responsibilities. Project to last from January  2003-December  2005.  Total  budget
€689,636, funded from INTERREG III A programme Kolarctic with co-financing
from  Finland,  Norway,  Russia,  and  Sweden  (€589,636).  Additionally,  €100,000
applied  for  from  INTERREG  III  B  programme  Baltic  Sea  Region  within  the
Barents Regional Council’s umbrella project “Barents 2010”.

(cid:1)  In the EUROBALTIC framework, enhanced co-operation among emergency and
rescue services to improve regional capacity to prevent and respond to natural and
man-made  disasters,  support  for  institution  and  human  capacity  building  and
promotion  of  the  transfer  of  expertise  on  information  technology  and  decision-
making support systems.

(cid:1)  Active support for joint projects in the frame of the existing bilateral co-operation
agreement  between  Kaliningrad  and  the  Schleswig-Holstein  State  Parliament
(Landtag), 
for  civil  servants  and
parliamentarians on e.g. legislation, political, public or civil society.

including  seminars  and 

traineeships 

40

ANNEX 2

List of abbreviations

Arctic Council

Community  Framework  Programme  for  the  co-operation  in
criminal matters and the fight against crime

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme

Business Advisory Council

AC

AGIS

AMAP

BAC

BALTREL

Baltic Ring Electricity Co-operation Committee

BASREC

Baltic Sea Region Energy Co-operation

BCCA

BEAC

Baltic Sea Chambers of Commerce Association

Barents Euro-Arctic Council

BEATA

Barents Euro-Arctic Transport Area

BSCC

Baltic Sea Customs Conference

BSR-BCCC

Baltic Sea Region Border Control Conference

CBSS

CEES

Daphne

EBRD

EIB

EMEP

EU

Council of the Baltic Sea States

EU/Russia Common European Economic Space initiative

Community  Programme  to  combat  violence  against  children,
young people and women

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

European Investment Bank

Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-Range

Transboundary Air Pollutants in Europe

European Union

FLEGT

Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade

FP

Framework Programme

HELCOM

Helsinki Commission

IBBP

ICT

IFIs

Institution Building Partnership Programme

Information and Communication Technology

International Financial Institutions

41

INTERREG

Community  programme  aiming 
cooperation within the EU

to  stimulate 

inter-regional

IPY

IT

JHA

JRC

LIFE

MNEPR

NCM

ND

NDEP

NDF

NeDAP

NEFCO

NGOs

NIB

NMC

NMF

Nopef

PAME

PCA

Phare

POPs

RTD

SIDA

SMEs

SNS

International Polar Year

Information Technology

Justice and Home Affairs

Joint Research Centre

EU Financial Instrument for the Environment

Multilateral  Nuclear  Environmental  Programme  in  the  Russian
Federation

Nordic Council of Ministers

Northern Dimension

Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership

Northern Development Fund

Northern eDimension Action Plan

Nordic Environment Finance Corporation

Non-Governmental Organisations

Nordic Investment Bank

Northern Maritime Corridor

Nordic Environmental Development Fund

Nordic Project Fund

Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Programme

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

Community  assistance  programme  for  the  Central  European
candidate countries

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Research, Technological Development and Demonstration

Swedish International Development Agency

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee

42

Tacis

TEN-E

TEN-T

Community  Technical  Assistance 
Commonwealth of Independent States

programme 

for 

the

Trans-European Energy Network

Trans-European Transport Network

UN/ECE

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

WTO

World Trade Organisation

43