WRITTEN QUESTION E-2263/99 by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) to the Council. Promoting cooperation in the Barents Sea region.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/131 Questions concerning the work undertaken by this working party should be addressed to the Council. (1) OJ C 269, 28. 8. 1998. (2) OJ C 179, 24. 6. 1999. (2000/C 219 E/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2263/99 by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) to the Council (13 December 1999) Subject: Promoting cooperation in the Barents Sea region Cooperation in the Barents Sea region is a very important part of the Nordic dimension as far as security is concerned. The region also presents many challenges in terms of environmental, social and transport policy, which must be met if common security is to become a reality in our part of the EU and of the world. Will the Presidency therefore state what conclusions, with a view to promoting development, cooperation and security in the Barents Sea region, it draws from the conference on the Nordic dimension held on 11-12 November 1999? Reply (14 February 2000) It is well known that the Union attaches great importance to its Northern Dimension Initiative. The overall aim of the Unionís ND initiative is to work with the non-EU countries in the region to enhance European Security, stability, democratic reforms and sustainable development in Northern Europe. The non-EU countries of the Barents Sea region, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation are important ND Partners. All three participated constructively in the Helsinki Ministerial Conference and will of course foreseen in the Chairmanís conclusions from the Helsinki be included in the deeper cooperation, Ministerial. These conclusions stressed that the Northern Dimension Initiative aimed to promote develop- ment, cooperation and security in the Barents Sea region, and the greater Northern European region. The European Council in Helsinki has invited the Commission to develop, in close cooperation with the Council, and in consultation with the Northern Dimension Partner countries in the region, an action plan for the Northern Dimension. The Chairmanís conclusions from the Ministerial Conference furthermore emphasises the role of the existing regional bodies, i. a. the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in the future work of the Northern Dimension Initiative. The regional bodies are, in the conclusions from the Helsinki meeting, considered to have a specific role as instruments identifying and implementing joint Northern Dimension priorities. Promoting development, cooperation and security in the Barents Sea region is consequently an integral part of the future work within the Northern Dimension Inititive