Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the 'Communication from the Commission on A northern dimension for the policies of the Union'
23. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374/1 II (Preparatory Acts) COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Communication from the Commission on A northern dimension for the policies of the Union’ (1999/C 374/01) THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS, having regard to the Communication from the Commission on A northern dimension for the policies of the Union (COM(1998) 589 final); having regard to the decision taken by the Bureau on 10 March 1999, under the fourth paragraph of Article 198C of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an Opinion on this subject and to instruct Commission 1 ‘Regional Policy, Structural Funds, Economic and Social Cohesion and Cross-border and Inter-regional Cooperation’ to draw up the relevant opinion; having regard to the Draft Opinion (CdR 107/99 rev. 1) adopted by Commission 1 on 30 June 1999 (Rapporteurs: Mr Kauppinen (FI/ELDR) and Mr Virtanen (FI/PES); having regard to the Committee of the Regions Opinion on The northern dimension of the European Union and cross-border cooperation on the border between the European Union and the Russian Federation and in the Barents region (CdR 10/96 fin) (1); having regard to the Committee of the Regions opinion on Current and future EU policy on the Baltic Sea region with specific reference to local and regional aspects (CdR 141/96 fin) (2); having regard to the Committee of the Regions opinion on Spatial Planning in Europe (CdR 340/96 fin) (3); having regard to the Committee of the Regions Opinion on Cross-border and transnational cooperation between local authorities (CdR 145/98 fin) (4); having regard to the report by DG XVI of 28 July 1997 on the Commission’s first meeting on the Northern Dimension held in Rovaniemi on 18 March 1997; having regard to the report of the European Parliament on the new strategy for arctic agriculture (1999); having regard to the draft report of the European Parliament on the Commission Communication on A northern dimension for the policies of the Union, (1) OJ C 337, 11. 11. 1996, p. 7. (2) OJ C 42, 10. 2. 1997, p. 6. (3) OJ C 116, 14. 4. 1997, p. 1. (4) OJ C 51, 22. 2. 1999, p. 21. C 374/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 12. 1999 adopted the following opinion at its 30th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 1999 (meeting of 15 September). General comments The Committee of the Regions is pleased to note that in accordance with the proposals adopted by the Committee at its plenary session on 12 June 1996, the Commission has taken steps to define a European Union action programme on the northern dimension. The Finnish government’s initiative of 12 December 1998 and the European Council decision relating to it provided a good basis for the proposal by the Committee of the Regions to draw up a definition of the EU’s northern dimension and for the northern dimension to be taken into account in the EU’s policies. 1. Introduction: acquiring a northern dimension 1. 1. Finnish and Swedish accession to the European Union meant that the EU acquired a new northern dimension. The region is significantly different in terms of climate, location, economic geography and geopolitics from other EU regions. Northern regions are characterised by low population density and long distances, which also differentiate local and regional authorities in Nordic countries from those in the rest of Europe. In geographical the northern dimension terms 1. 2. encompasses regions with difficult conditions. The northern periphery is a long way from the centre of the EU, which entails higher costs for operators in the region. For example, the natural environment and weather conditions are harsh and unproductive. Taken together the above factors mean that the economy and industry in these regions have not reached the same level as in the EU’s wealthiest regions. The participation of these regions in the single market therefore requires special resources and support in the same way as in other less developed regions. With regard to EU policy, this raises the question of how the special requirements of the northern dimension should be taken into account in internal policies, as well as in external relations. 1. 3. Austrian, Swedish and Finnish accession have had a significant impact on the European Union’s geopolitical pos- ition, as will the upcoming accession. As a result of Finnish membership the European Union now has a 1 300 kilometre long common border region with the Russian Federation. This border region is unique because of the enormous gulf in standards of living and its cultural significance, as well as the natural resources and environmental problems of north-west Russia. This region has its strengths and weaknesses, which both need to be taken into account when it is being developed. A specific issue which relates to the external relations of the northern dimension is how the EU-Russia border region and cross-border cooperation should be developed. 1. 4. Closer links with north-west Russia and greater cooper- ation with the EU are, however, also extremely important to the EU as a whole, particularly as regards energy, transport, environmental and security policy, as well as the removal of obstacles to trade. 1. 5. Besides Malta and Cyprus, the next enlargement of the EU will be to the east and the north, and the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea will fall within this area. The Baltic will become an internal sea of the EU. As the accession of Finland and the other new Member States has given the EU a common border with Russia and many of the CIS states, it has been argued that a Mediterranean-style strategy is also necessary for the north. 1. 6. The northern dimension has emerged in many different policy contexts. Because of low population density and climatic factors, the northern dimension already became an issue during Finnish and Swedish membership negotiations. Regional, structural and agricultural policy support has been directed at the region on the grounds of its remoteness, severity of climate, particularly low population density and border coop- eration with Russia. The Agenda 2000 decisions taken in spring 1999 guaranteed the continuation of these measures. The role of northern regions overall has grown con- 1. 7. siderably during the last decade. By now the cooperation in the Baltic Sea region has developed into an outstanding example of regional cooperation in Europe, encompassing nearly all areas of politics, society and the economy. 2. Northern regions and their special conditions 2. 1. The concept of the Northern Dimension covers the following area: from Iceland in the West across to North-West Russia, from the Norwegian, Barents and Kara Seas in the north to the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The geographic focus of the Northern Dimension concept is understood to be on the countries bordering the Baltic Sea and on the North/ West Russian regions, as well as Kaliningrad. 2. 2. In terms of surface area, Sweden and Finland are strikingly large Member States, representing 800 000 sq. km of the EU’s surface area. The northern regions make up 2,5 % of agricultural land in use in the EU and 38 % of forests. 23. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374/3 2. 3. The average population density of EU Member States is 115 inhabitants per sq. km. Norrbotten and Lapland, the northernmost regions of Sweden and Finland, each have a surface area of about 100 000 sq. km. This region is thus larger than Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland put together. The average population density of these countries is 184 inhabitants per sq. km, compared to a figure of just two inhabitants per sq. km in two of the northern provinces of Sweden and Finland. Low population density means that local markets are small and far from their export markets, which restricts economic development. Equally, the costs of maintaining public and basic services for citizens, as well as infrastructure, are inevitably higher than in more densely populated regions. At 60o latitude there are about 170 days in the growing 2. 4. season, and in the EU’s northernmost parts there are only 130. The EU’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions include Finland, the part of Sweden north of Stockholm, parts of Scotland and certain parts of the Alps, in which total annual temperatures remain as low as 1 300-1 400 degrees centigrade. The climatic difficulties for agriculture in these regions with their short growing and grazing seasons constitute a permanent obstacle to competitiveness, in addition to which their small popu- lations, remoteness and fragmented agricultural land increase production costs. The strengths of Arctic agriculture are the clean environment, special growing conditions, a low level of livestock density, ethically viable and humane treatment of animals, as well as the low use of pesticides and antibiotics. 2. 5. Finnish and Swedish membership have led to a large increase in the EU’s forestry resources, with the result that the EU is now self-sufficient in wood production. The EU gained a completely new northern coniferous forest belt, a region in which reforestation and sustainable use have been a pillar of both the regional and national economy. These regions are also home to Western Europe’s last areas of wilderness, the recreational value of which is considerable for Europe as a whole. 2. 6. The northern natural environment has special charac- teristics and is highly vulnerable, as well as being rich in natural resources. 2. 7. In northern conditions, the construction of infrastruc- ture, buildings and technical maintenance networks has to take account of the climate, and this raises costs. Heating costs and the problems posed by winter transport are restrictive for individuals as well as companies. Harsh climatic conditions, especially in the northern parts of Sweden and Finland, have given rise to specialised skills, working methods and technology which might also be of benefit to other regions with difficult climatic conditions. The natural environment of the northern regions of Finland and Sweden provides a particularly good laboratory for resolving the specific problems of the north and for developing specialist skills. 2. 8. Maritime transport in winter is a specialist area in itself. For example, the majority of Finnish exports are transported by sea. Ensuring regular transport requires the existence and use of effective ice-breaking equipment. The regions of the Russian Federation which are 2. 9. directly adjacent to the EU include St. Petersburg (4,8 million inhabitants), the surrounding Leningrad Oblast (1,7 million inhabitants) and the regions of the Karelian Republic (750 000 inhabitants), as well as the Murmansk Oblast (1,1 million inhabitants). This region effectively includes the Archangel region bordering Murmansk (1,6 million inhabitants). In total, about 10 million people live in these north-western Russian border regions, making up 6,7 % of the entire population of the Russian Federation. The Kaliningrad region, an enclave on the Russian Baltic coast between Lithuania and Poland, has a further 913 000 inhabitants. 2. 10. The circumpolar region is divided into the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Economically diverse groups — according to estimates, between 600 000 and 800 000 indigenous inhabi- tants — have lived, and continue to live in this vast region. These include hunter-fishermen, hunter-reindeer-herders, and large lake fishermen. The traditional lifestyle of these peoples partly illustrates how people have adapted to natural con- ditions. For as long as can be remembered, northern indigenous peoples have lived off the land, the sea, the ice and renewable natural resources. 3. Natural resources and energy networks Europe’s northern regions possess significant natural 3. 1. resources with enormous economic potential. These natural resources consist of huge forests, ore, mineral, oil and gas reserves as well as fish stocks. 3. 2. The EU is increasingly dependent on imported energy. By the year 2020 it is estimated that the EU will import over 70 % of the gas which it consumes and over 90 % of its oil. This underlines the need to diversify the EU’s energy pro- duction sources and networks. It also increases the strategic importance of energy sources located in North-West Russia. The EU is already the main purchaser of Russian energy and raw materials. 3. 3. Exploiting North-West Russian natural resources in a sustainable way requires extensive research as well as signifi- cant international funding to modernise existing production plants and for new investment. C 374/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 12. 1999 3. 4. When constructing energy networks, the most important thing is to create an extensive and comprehensive gas network. With the electricity network, the emphasis will be on the Baltic States and north-west Russia. Energy-saving measures also need to be promoted, as well as the use of alternative local and renewable energy sources. These measures would directly help to improve the local employment situation and to lower costs. 4. Security The aim of greater cooperation between northern 4. 1. regions is partly to increase political stability and civil and military security. Enhanced security is of central concern to the local population. 4. 2. Greater openness and cooperation has also brought an increase in crime. The fight against organised crime is important in the north for citizens as well as business cooperation. Drug use is another growing problem in Europe’s northern regions. The discrepancy in living standards between EU and 4. 3. Russian border regions creates problems in the field of health care and social welfare. Investment in the development of basic health care in the Russian border regions is of vital importance for the people living there and a prerequisite to foster social stability. 5. The environment The northern environment is highly vulnerable. Unfor- 5. 1. tunately, in many parts of north-west Russia, the Baltic and the Arctic, the environment is badly polluted. The problems stem from the exploitation of natural resources, agricultural pesticides, transport, and untreated waste. The local population experiences these problems directly. An issue which affects all of the EU is nuclear and 5. 2. radiation safety, the main problem being the partly defective safety measures in nuclear power stations. The storage of radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel is also often inad- equately handled. 5. 3. On the positive side, environmental cooperation in the Arctic — the so-called Rovaniemi process — has been happening within the framework of the Arctic Council since as early as 1990. Environmental questions are also a priority for Baltic and Barents cooperation. 5. 4. The work of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, Helcom, is also important. All the states round the Baltic and the European Commission are involved in these activities. 6. Transport networks and spatial planning 6. 1. An economic and logistical problem for Europe’s northern region is its remoteness from the core of the EU. It is, therefore, extremely important to establish good connections between the transport infrastructure of northern Europe and that of the rest of Europe. In the northernmost part of Europe the problem is one of poor east-west links. Therefore the EU is further developing the concept of TENs (Trans-European Networks). The Barents Euro-Arctic transport region is one of the 6. 2. new groups of projects aimed at developing east-west links. The Archangel and Barents corridors are part of this. Another important priority for development is air transport, the lack of which makes it difficult to develop business cooperation in particular. The Via Baltica and Pohjola triangle transport region are other important projects in need of development. Another priority for the north is the development of rail transport and improving the operational compatibility of networks. 6. 3. The long distances, the location on the periphery, the central role of sea transport in trade, and the need for fast connections impose special requirements on the northern dimension, and must be taken into account both in the development of the TEN network and in the exploitation of information technology. 6. 4. In future, the northern dimension should also be explicitly included in the implementation of the recently completed programme on the guidelines for European spatial development (the European Spatial Development Perspective — ESDP). This applies to transport and energy networks in particular. The northern dimension policy should also be used to contribute to the creation of a polycentric, competitive region in this periphery. 7. Obstacles to trade 7. 1. Trade between the EU and Russia is beset by structural and technical obstacles, as well as those traditionally encoun- tered in border trade, and those related to crime, education and culture. One of the greatest structural obstacles is obtaining 7. 2. reliable information about economic operators. The risks are, therefore, large, and business costs in Russia are high. 23. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374/5 There is no legislation in Russia which makes it 7. 3. possible in practice to sell, buy or invest in land. 9. Existing development instruments 7. 4. A key problem in obtaining both short- and long-term financing in Russia is that no security can be given for credit. Uncertain ownership rights and the absence of registered ownership rights makes it impossible to invest in property. The possibility of foreigners obtaining security for loans is, indeed, extremely limited. 7. 5. Russia’s excessively stringent standards and certifi- cation requirements complicate trade. In addition, certification costs can be surprisingly high and exceed prior estimates. 7. 6. Of the traditional obstacles to border trade, the main ones are the long duration and high cost of customs clearance, excessive charges and difficulties at border crossings, as well as high and continually fluctuating tariff levels. 8. Geographical definition and existing cooperation organisations 8. 1. The concept of the northern dimension has been geographically defined as the following: from Iceland in the west across to North-West Russia, from the Norwegian, Barents and Kara Seas in the north to the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. 8. 2. The main cooperation bodies for these regions are the intergovernmental Council of Baltic Sea States, the Barents Euro Arctic Council, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Arctic Council and the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. Another example of bilateral cooperation is the intergovernmental Finnish-Russian working group on in which the border developing neighbourly cooperation, provinces are also represented. The main equivalent cooperation bodies at regional 8. 3. level are the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation, the Baltic Sea Commission, the Barents Regional Council, the various cooperation bodies of the Baltic Sea region, regional cooperation bodies working with the Nordic Council of Ministers, such as the Nordic Arctic Council, and the inter- national Northern Forum organisation of northern regions, as well as the North Sea Commission (NSC). In addition to these bodies, very important roles are played in practical regional cooperation by the committees responsible for monitoring and managing the Interreg programmes. In developing the northern dimension, the intention 8. 4. has not been to establish new forms of cooperation but rather to work within the existing structure. 9. 1. In the regions falling within the concept of the northern dimension many forms of cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation are taking place, with both EU and national support. The most important EU programmes are the Interreg II programmes aimed at the Baltic Sea region, the Nordic countries, and the Finnish and Russian border regions, as well as the Tacis and Phare external cooperation pro- grammes with Russia and the Baltic states. 9. 2. The EU Member States and, for example, Norway, have bilateral cooperation programmes with Russia and the Baltic states, which provide financial assistance, export credits and technical help. Even the USA has participated in, for example, development projects in the Barents Sea region. 9. 3. International financial institutions such as the EBRD, the EIB, NEFCO and NIB have also been involved in financing the development of the region. 9. 4. With Swedish and Finnish accession to the EU in 1995, the European Community introduced structural support specifically aimed at solving problems in the EU’s northern regions where population density is extremely low (objec- tive 6). The programmes under this objective play a key role in the development of these regions. According to the new Structural Fund regulations, in addition to the GDP criteria, objective 1 regions also include overseas territories and the northernmost, particularly sparsely populated regions, which do not qualify as objective 1 regions on the basis of the GDP criteria, but are currently objective 6 regions. 9. 5. Agriculture and forestry policy are closely linked to maintaining habitation and business activity in northern regions. The Commission’s decision has given Finland the right to provide long-term national financial support to regions situated north of 62o latitude, as well as to adjacent regions with a similar climate where farming is consequently very difficult. This support will also be necessary in the future in order to maintain a basic level of production and thereby support employment, the transportation of agricultural prod- ucts to markets and their processing, and in particular to ensure that the environment is protected and the countryside remains inhabited. 9. 6. The EU has adopted a forestry strategy programme which provides a common basis for ecological forestry and for the exploitation of forests as a resource for rural regions. The Commission supports the development of a pan-European certification process, which is based on the approval of national models. This will enable sustainable development to be defined according to country-specific conditions, making it viable for the northern regions, too. C 374/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 12. 1999 10. Developing the role of local and regional authorities 10. 1. The degree of development and effectiveness of local and regional authorities and the importance of their role in international cooperation varies enormously between the countries falling within the northern dimension. In EU Member States, it is true to say that the role played by the local and regional level has traditionally been a large one. In contrast, an important question, for example with 10. 2. regard to Russia’s transition to democracy and a market economy, is how Russia will succeed in its efforts to create an effective European-style system of local and regional government. At the end of 10. 3. the practical aspect of the day, development projects is always regional. As a consequence, the implementation of projects always falls to regional players. It is, therefore, extremely important to establish operational principles which will enable local and regional government, as well as national organisations, to take part in the operation and decision-making of the projects. 10. 4. Within the northern dimension, practical develop- ment work is often undertaken in extremely difficult con- ditions, with the result that the expertise and role of local and regional authorities is crucial. Above all, ensuring sustainable development requires the involvement of local and regional players. 11. Conclusions In summary, the Committee of the Regions is of the view that: 11. 1. As a result of the most recent enlargement, the EU has acquired a northern dimension and a closer relationship with the acceding countries and Russia. Northern Europe has special features which require special support measures, but at the same time the region has important development potential for the EU as a whole. Local and regional representatives in the northern Member States can contribute their significant experiences so as to establish an integrated platform for the northern dimension, which is of particular value in exchanges with the applicant countries. 11. 2. On the basis of the Commission communication, it is essential to broaden the northern dimension of the EU’s policies in order to exploit the existing potential for develop- ment and to solve serious problems which affect the EU as a whole. The EU must bring together development measures linked to cooperation under the northern dimension into a common approach, and improve the effectiveness of existing instruments. 11. 3. The northern dimension must be viewed as a broad geographical region, defined as the following: from Iceland in the west across to North-West Russia, from the Norwegian, Barents and Kara Seas in the north to the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The northern dimension must be viewed as an 11. 4. integral whole encompassing both external and internal affairs. With regard to internal issues, the special needs of the northern dimension should be reflected in regional, structural and agricultural policy, in particular. 11. 5. Reports must be drawn up on the use of natural resources in Europe’s northern regions, taking into account nature conservation issues, as well as the way in which the regions themselves — their population, including indigenous peoples as well as the region’s businesses — benefit from this use. When megaprojects are being implemented, the local and regional level must be closely involved from the outset. 11. 6. A system must be developed which will enable the EBRD and EIB to expand their funding to new areas and to take greater risks when financing development projects. A comprehensive plan must be drawn up to fight 11. 7. organised crime in the region. to start It implementing the recommendations of the Council of Baltic Sea States’ working group on organised crime and money- laundering. is important 11. 8. In developing the Barents Sea transport region, a system of logistical centres must be set up to promote the construction of missing links, as well as regular transport services between centres. Priority should be given to building the necessary road and rail links and improving existing ones between northern Scandinavia and the northern regions of Russia. Efforts must be made to maintain and improve east-west air links as well as to create a safe operational environment for air transport. Effective computerised systems must be set up to ensure that goods are moved quickly within the transport region. The use of the North-East Passage for trade must be promoted. 11. 9. Ensuring reliable transportation in the northern regions in the winter also requires the existence and use of effective ice-breaking equipment. To ensure accessibility by sea, it should be possible to finance these additional maritime transport costs from maritime, pilotage and other charges levied elsewhere. 11. 10. In connection with the further development of the Trans-European transport network, the Baltic region should also be included as a pan-European transport area, and the development of Baltic ports and their hinterland links should be supported in EU transport policy. 23. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374/7 11. 11. The peripheral nature of northern regions must be taken into account in development by permitting a transport support system which subsidises the cost to SMEs of trans- porting their products. This peripherality is a concept which applies to all of the EU’s outermost regions. 11. 19. With regard to the northern dimension area, pro- vision must be made for the Interreg III B programmes for the Baltic Sea region and the Barents Sea region. These pro- grammes would consolidate the successful cooperation under- taken so far in these regions. The role of the regional level in the Interreg III B programmes should be stepped up. 11. 12. To ensure air transport in the north it is necessary to adopt the principle that not all airports need to be financially self-sufficient; rather, their operation can be subsidised on regional policy grounds by transport levies from elsewhere. 11. 13. As far as transport is concerned, it is important for EU locations that the accession countries have actually adopted social, safety and other technical requirements (for all modes of transport), as well as the rules on market access and the relevant occupations (particularly as regards road transport) by the time they join. This requires placing particular emphasis on sticking consistently to the principle of ‘harmonisation before liberalisation’. This also applies to the principles and practical implementation of charges for use of infrastructure. 11. 14. To get hold of reliable information about economic actors in Russia, an up-to-date and user-friendly interregional information system should be set up to provide information on company ownership structure and credit ratings. 11. 15. Russia must be given help as soon as possible to set up a practical and legally binding system of registering land ownership and real estate, as well as regulations to protect registered rights. It is appropriate that new Interreg programmes can 11. 16. be approved for regions which already enjoy established cooperation from an earlier programming period (continuity). It is important that the programmes are administered by the regions concerned. The development of new forms of cooperation is desirable, but diversity in administration and cooperation should be permitted (flexibility). 11. 17. The new Interreg Community initiative must put a clear emphasis, as in the past, on programmes for cross-border cooperation. The delimitation of the programming regions could be retained in principle. 11. 20. The administration of the Tacis programme should be improved and simplified, and its measures should be targeted, taking into account the views of the regions them- selves. The proportion of the Tacis border region programme (Tacis CBC) should be increased, and at the same time more decision-making power should be transferred to the regional level. 11. 21. Coordination between Interreg programmes and Tacis CBC/Phare CBC needs to be improved. The Tacis CBC programme should also be converted into a multiannual programme in line with the new Interreg programmes. If the Tacis CBC and Phare CBC programmes can be developed and simplified, it would be possible to appoint common decision-making bodies for the programmes in question. In this case it would also be appropriate to create a single fund for Interreg and Tacis CBC and Phare CBC programmes. 11. 22. Establishing a free trade zone across the Finnish- Russian border could considerably help to promote cultural, economic and environmental cooperation in the common border region between the EU and Russia. The Committee of the Regions feels that the EU should promote the ground work for the establishment of a free trade zone and participate in it. 11. 23. It is very important for Europe that the northern regions try harder to develop Arctic expertise, research, and technology as a part of common European expertise. This would boost not only the business and environmental develop- ment opportunities of the northern regions, but also Europe’s global position. In identifying the unexploited natural resources of 11. 24. the Arctic regions and making use of the environment in a sustainable way, research must be undertaken to ensure that, with any exploitation that occurs, care is taken to preserve the natural environment, biological diversity and genetic resources, as well as the rights of indigenous peoples and the vitality of northern cultures. Research on global change must focus on the reduction of biodiversity, the pollution of the atmosphere and soil, and to the strain on the northern natural environment as a result of transport, tourism and industry. 11. 18. To help the regional and local authorities in north- ern Poland, the Baltic Republics and Russia to cooperate with corresponding regions in the area of the northern dimension it is necessary to maintain a Baltic Project Facility under the EU Phare and Tacis programme. Furthermore, to strengthen the regional and local authorities in north-western Russia — as well as in other parts of Russia — special measures for ‘institution-building’ should be included in the Tacis programme. 11. 25. Research on Arctic communities should pay greater attention to the dynamic of the northern regional structure, as well as strategies for regional development, the aim being — with regard to every population group — to ensure well-functioning, diverse, viable and healthy communities. The research must provide information on how regional structural reforms can take place in an ecologically, economically and socially managed way. The social problems of communities should be identified and solutions developed. C 374/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 12. 1999 11. 26. The sustainable use of northern natural resources as an objective of economic and energy policy is important for all of Europe. Regional tourism and recreation should also be recognised as having clear development potential. 11. 27. Another problem for the development of northern regions relates to the distorted age distribution. Large migration flows are also affecting the current situation. Development measures should, therefore, support the improvement of job opportunities for women. The equal opportunities issue is also one which by its very nature requires greater respect for the subsidiarity principle in relation to the northern dimension. fields of activity. Thus, culture in its different forms should also be included on the agenda of the northern dimension. In the further development of the policy of the 11. 29. northern dimension it is important to offer regions and local authorities and/or their cooperative organisations the opportunity to contribute to the process. This could start at the ministerial conference on the northern dimension to be held next November in Helsinki. 11. 30. The Commission should consider taking part in the work of organisations which exist to promote the objectives of the northern dimension. 11. 28. Regions within the northern dimension differ from each other in many aspects, not only in terms of social development and standard of living but also in terms of culture. The mutual understanding of cultural diversities also enhances the possibilities for fruitful cooperation in different is necessary that To foster the EU approach to the northern dimen- 11. 31. sion it the new European Commission establishes an official unit, which also reflects the need for local and regional expertise, to co-ordinate the different EU policies dealing with this area. Brussels, 15 September 1999. The President of the Committee of the Regions Manfred DAMMEYER