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Check against delivery/Det talte ord gælder
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,
When I was invited to speak to you here today I could not foresee the tragedy, the act of terrorism, which unfolded itself during the first few days of September. No one could. It was beyond all our imaginations. All of us who have children, wives, husbands, sisters or brothers could not fail to identify with the people of Beslan - their fear and the sheer horror of what took place. I offer all Russians my sincere condolences. The hostage taking and murder of innocent children was a crime so barbaric, so outside the bounds of human understanding, that it will forever remain a symbol of shame. Let us work together to ensure that such an act can never be repeated. I truly believe that by talking together and trading together we can make a start. It is far better for goods to cross borders, to our mutual benefit, than violence. And I think I can safely say that Hamburg, where we are gathered today, provides a vivid illustration of what I mean by the mutual benefits of free trade. I just have to look around me. It is a particular pleasure to be sitting here with President Adamkus of Lithuania and Prime Minister Emsis of Latvia - my partners and colleagues in the European Council and in Baltic Sea co-operation. And to have the meeting chaired by Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, who played such a crucial role in the rebirth of the Baltic Sea Region.
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Uffe Ellemann-Jensen once told us of his vision of the Baltic Sea Region as the most dynamic region in the world. I can only subscribe to that vision. And we are lucky in having every opportunity to make this vision come true. The Baltic Sea Region has the potential for being the new centre of European growth – the powerful engine pulling Europe’s economy forward.
But to do this we need a strategy - a strategy that starts and ends with private enterprise. So what must we do? Well, first we must create the World’s best framework for conducting business.
“The State of the Region Report 2004” tell us that while the business environment is already quite good in many parts of the region there are considerable differences.
Some areas are distorted by subsidies, protective measures or a simple lack of local competition, allowing a just few companies to dominate the market. In others corruption, an inadequate legal framework or unnecessary bureaucracy hinder foreign investments. And some labour markets are still not sufficiently flexible.
Of course, such frameworks remain first and foremost the responsibility of national governments, but we can, and should, inspire each other. Perhaps we need a “Chief Whip” an “overseer” to identify problems, breathe down the necks of all public authorities and to come up with practical, workable solutions. A role perfect for this very organisation.
Secondly we must remove all unnecessary barriers to trade, travel and investment. For those of us who are members of the EU, the Internal Market will ensure this. Or so we thought. But when we built a bridge between Copenhagen and Malmoe and expected people to flock across the Oresund to work and live, they didn’t.
Why? Well, for instance, we learned that if a Dane called his tax office and asked how he would be taxed or if he could deduct transport or travel - he couldn’t get a straight answer.
So we dealt with the problem and the bridge has turned out to be a resounding success - an example of how regional integration can be promoted if governments are fully committed to do so.
But close as we are as countries and as old neighbours, we haven’t solved all the problems. Some barriers still remain. Which is why the Nordic Council has asked Former Prime Minister Poul Schlüter to systematically identify these barriers and suggest how to eliminate them. Why not make a similar effort and commitment at the Baltic level.
One goal could be to have a single access point to every local and regional administration for both businesses and individuals. A single point where companies may apply for building permits; obtain operating licences and information about local or regional restrictions.
We cannot harmonise every single piece of legislation and I don’t think we should. But at least we should make it easy for companies to manoeuvre through the maze of laws, rules and directives.
Thirdly people and goods must be able to circulate quickly and smoothly within the region.
Today you can drive from Stockholm to Rome on the European road network. You don’t even notice the borders. Driving from Hamburg to Sct. Petersburg is a very different story. It is not enough to increase road speed if crossing borders remains painfully slow. My hope is that, in future we will be able to drive from Oslo to Helsinki. All the way through Denmark, Germany, Poland, the Baltic States and Russia. On a modern Baltic road network. With a minimum of time spent at the borders. Let us join forces to ensure that this becomes a major priority for the European Union.
Germany and Denmark have made their first contribution. We have just taken the first steps to bridge the Fehmarn Belt. To create a landline between the Danish island of Zealand and Germany.
In the Baltic Sea we bridge distances with our ships and the key to reaching the full potential of the shipping in the Baltic is, of course, the efficiency of our ports. But getting to and from the ports by road or rail is equally important.
However, large infrastructure projects have many enemies. We therefore need organisations like yours to provide the necessary pressure in favour of these essential long-term investments.
Fourthly we need to be at the forefront in education, research and development. Tomorrow belongs to the innovators - and we face pretty tough competition in the global market place. Which is why I have proposed the creation of an internal market for research and development in the EU and to improve EU-funding in this area. I have also suggested a European outreach in education and research to our strategic partners, including Russia. Such an initiative would greatly benefit the Baltic Sea Region.
An interesting finding of the “State of Region Report” is that we score high on innovation indicators close to the scientific discovery but that we are lagging behind in transforming scientific achievements into marketable goods and competitive production. Thus the potential for rapid progress is already there and I therefore particularly welcome that the new Baltic Sea Initiative will focus on strengthening the Regions competitiveness and innovative potential. This could be one of the instruments to broaden our basis of strong business oriented innovation performance beyond the present core of mainly Swedish multinationals.
My fifth and final point is not just about economics. For obvious reasons we should expand our cooperation on the Environment. To put it bluntly we are polluting our own pond and it has to stop.
It’s not just a question of quality of life and the heritage we leave our children. We can profit in more ways than one. According to the OECD the global market for environmental technology is in rapid growth. The wind turbine industry in Europe already shows that there are profits and jobs in this sector.
So by focusing on new environmental technologies we can be at the technical leading edge while moving towards a cleaner environment.
Ships leaking oil or chemicals in the Baltic Sea could develop into a veritable nightmare. Though maritime safety is not only about single or double hull ships. It won’t help if ships are packed with every conceivable safety gadget if they continue to sail into each other, on onto the rocks.
So we must continue our efforts for a common approach to the use of pilots. A further step could be regional cooperation to find affordable technological solutions to control and guide shipping through narrow and vulnerable straits.
The Baltic Sea is also struggling to overcome large amounts of waste and residue from fertilizer. It is suffering from a severe case of indigestion. Local, regional solutions are no longer enough. Our vision should be to make our waterways as clean and clear as a Norwegian “foss”. What we need is a Baltic Clean Water Action Plan. Another area in which we can work together.
Ladies and gentlemen, Being here in Hamburg, one of the old Hanseatic towns, one cannot fail to be inspired by the Hanseatic League - a unique commercial organisation and part of our history. Centuries ago the Hanseatic League succeeded creating an integrated economy in the Baltic Sea Region. Something, which we aspire to emulate today.
Look around at the wealth created by the Hanseatic League. The evidence is still visible in many places. As is the potential. Let us realise this potential and make the Baltic Sea Region the centre of growth in Europe.
Let us talk together. Let us trade together.
Thank you.
