Baltic Rim Economies Quarterly Review
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Baltic Rim Economies Quarterly Review ISSUE NO. 3, 31 OCTOBER 2011 EXPERT ARTICLES: Eero Heinäluoma: The Nordic-Baltic cooperation Page 1 Guido Westerwelle: The importance of the Baltic Sea region for Germany – priorities of the German presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) 2011/2012 Page 2 Ingrid Nestle: Germany’s future energy policy Page 3 Mikko Pukkinen: Finnish business and the Baltic Sea region Page 4 Timo Rajakangas: Instead of three no’s it is four aye’s that apply to the EUSBSR Page 5 Sten Nordin: Stockholm calls for greater commitment to the well-being of the Baltic Sea Page 6 Vladimir Kuzin: Post crisis economic growth in Kaliningrad region Page 7 Andrey Klemeshev: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University as an example of EU-Russia cooperation Page 8 Bernard Lammek: The University of Gdańsk – the largest institution of higher education in Northern Poland Page 9 Edgar Öhberg: The importance of fishery Page 10 Mika Vehviläinen: The Baltic Boutique and the future of air travel Page 11 Anneli Pauli: EU-Russia cooperation in promoting innovation Page 12 Riitta Mustonen: Significance of international activities to the research system Page 13 Michael Schlicht and Marion Mienert: German-Russian collaboration in research and innovation Page 15 Vladimir V. Okrepilov: Economic development based on the economics for quality Page 16 Frank Schauff: Russia-EU partnership for modernisation – words and reality Page 17 Oleg Luksha: Russian Technology Transfer Network – gate to Russia’s innovations Page 18 Igor Kuprienko: Finnish-Russian Innovation Centre – main results of activities Page 19 Turo Uskali: Innovation and journalism – convergence Page 20 EXPERT ARTICLES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE To receive a free copy, print or register at www.tse.fi/pei Baltic Rim Economies Quarterly Review ISSUE NO. 3, 31 OCTOBER 2011 EXPERT ARTICLES CONTINUED: Hanna Mäkinen: Innovations – a key to the future competitiveness of the Baltic Sea region Page 21 Richard Connolly: Financial constraints on the modernization of the Russian economy Page 23 Alexander Chulok: Using Foresight as an instrument for constructing future vision for key sectors of Russian economy – results and lessons Page 25 Anders Björnsson: Science as an engine of integration – academic environments as common public spheres Page 28 Klaus Schuch, George Bonas and Jörn Sonnenburg: International science and technology cooperation in Eastern European countries Page 29 Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius: War and conflict in the Baltic Sea region – a historical perspective Page 31 Artur Usanov: Kaliningrad Nuclear Power Plant – economics and geopolitics Page 32 Pekka Salomaa: The electricity market around the Baltic Sea – still political Page 34 Bo Petersson: Master of the house – Putin, the presidency and political myth in Russia Page 36 Konrad Popławski: Is Russia still a bric country – exports to Russia during the global crisis from German perspective Page 37 Urban Wråkberg: The challenges of forecasting Arctic energy projects Page 38 Mai-Brith Schartau: The work of German environmental organization in the Baltic Sea region Page 39 Timo Korpela: Joint Biotechnology Laboratory, twenty-two years Finnish-Russian successful collaboration in biotechnology Page 40 Erik Bonsdorff: Some ecological and political challenges for the Baltic Sea Page 42 Mia Crawford: Baltic Sea region rides on the green economic wave Page 43 Eero Yrjö-Koskinen: From voluntary to legally binding measures in the Baltic Sea Page 45 Níels Einarsson: Fisheries governance, equity, and externalities in post-crisis Iceland Page 46 EXPERT ARTICLES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE To receive a free copy, print or register at www.tse.fi/pei Baltic Rim Economies Quarterly Review ISSUE NO. 3, 31 OCTOBER 2011 EXPERT ARTICLES CONTINUED: Wolf Born: After two years of implementation – The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region at a crossroads? Page 47 Juha Aaltonen: Turku Airport Page 48 Arto Asikainen: Russian tourists in Finland – national success story of Finland Page 49 Juhana Tuomola: EU information services in the Baltic Sea region Page 51 Petteri Siika-aho: Multidisciplinary university and societal interaction Page 52 Timo Koivumäki: Industrial business parks – SMSE employment platform in Russia Page 53 Tero Vauraste: Efficiency gains through combination of oil spill recovery, icebreaking and cross-border cooperation Page 54 Tero Hemmilä: Towards environmental friendly and productive agriculture – Yara’s solutions for a cleaner Baltic Sea Page 55 Pasi Lähdetie: Enough food to feed the world? Page 56 Elisabeth Lind: Affect peoples energy consumption by design? Page 57 Katri Savijärvi: A better solution for waste management Page 58 To receive a free copy, print or register at www.tse.fi/pei Expert article 783 Baltic Rim Economies, 31.10.2011 Quarterly Review 3ƒ2011 The Nordic-Baltic cooperation By Eero Heinäluoma 2011 is a year of special significance for Nordic-Baltic where the salary and working conditions are dependent of cooperation. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania celebrate the your country of origin. Therefore, the issue should be put 20th anniversary of regained independence and the on the agenda of the NB8 cooperation. restoration of diplomatic relations between Nordic countries. Twenty years ago the path for new cooperation Environment and sustainability was opened. Economic growth can be sustainable only when it is The Nordic Countries were among the strongest socially just and environmentally sound. The Baltic Sea is supporters of the Baltic countries twenty years ago. They common to all NB countries and it is made unique by its were the first to open their borders and re-establish low salt content and shallow waters. In this regard, any diplomatic relations. changes in the ecosystem will take long to have an effect. In the early years of regained independence the Nordic Right now the Baltic Sea is burdened with decades of countries supported the integration of the Baltic countries environmental degradation. The tide has to be turned and into the European and transatlantic structures, particularly provided with decades of environmental rehabilitation. the European Union and NATO. Agriculture and poor waste water management are major Consultation mechanisms between the countries were sources of the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea and this developed. The "Nordic –Baltic eight" (NB 8) cooperation must be addressed. found its form, and the gradual integration of the three The Nordic-Baltic countries all operate in several Baltic states into the existing frameworks of Nordic different forums around the globe. The countries have a cooperation began. The five Nordic countries have a common ground to rely on; they have shared values and history of cooperation which dates back several decades common interests. In several multilateral organizations and reaches into all levels of society. The Baltic countries regular NB consultations take place. These include the were welcomed to this family of nations. European Union and the United Nations, but also the World The Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB 8 format) is flexible. Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It also expands to include third countries when appropriate. Simple mathematics prove that eight votes are better Certain topics are discussed in a format including Germany than one, and eight voices in unison carry further than eight and Poland, some others with the United Kingdom or the voices separately. Nevertheless, there is one forum where United States. NB coordination is lacking. I.e. within the European Parliament. The significance of the European Parliament is Economy and democracy continuously growing; an increasing number of important The NB countries are world leaders in regional cooperation, decisions is passing through Brussels and Strasbourg. It social and environmental sustainability, and in economic would be fruitful to introduce Nordic-Baltic cooperation prosperity. Together they are also influential and highly there as well. regarded players in the global political and economic fora. The future of Nordic-Baltic cooperation is described in The Nordic economic model has proven to be the so called "Wise Men Report". The report, compiled by functional. For decades it has combined high taxation rates Mr Birkavs from Latvia and Mr Gade from Denmark, with high competitiveness, and it has been very successful. contains 38 concrete recommendations on how to enhance The Baltic countries on the other hand have time and again the NB 8 cooperation. Finland is firmly committed to take overcome great economic difficulties and proven to be forward the recommendations of the report. among the most dynamic economies in the world. The Nordic-Baltic cooperation has grown and expanded To combine those two aspects would be remarkable. in the past twenty years. In the future, the cooperation will The combined Nordic-Baltic economic model would create give excellent opportunities for strengthening openness, societies which are open, tolerant and equal; societies that tolerance and equality in the societies of NB countries. keep everybody on board and spur economic activity, entrepreneurship and investment. Economic integration offers great opportunities and benefits, but it also poses many challenges. One of the most important challenges is the transformation that already takes place in the labor market. Also in Finland Eero Heinäluoma there are numerous examples of underpaid and undervalued labor flowing in. These workers end up in Speaker of the Parliament questionable conditions