Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference

Landtag

The 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference 30th August - 1st September 2015 in , – BSPC in a Nutshell –

Baltic Sea Region – A Role Model for Innovation in Social- and Healthcare

The 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary bour and city tour as well as a recep- „Accordion meets string quartet” per- Conference took place in Ros- tion at the town hall provided the par- formance in the Boat House. tock-Warnemünde. Around 180 de­ ticipants with insight into the cultural legates met in the Yachting & Spa Re- wealth and architecture characteristics On Tuesday, 1st September, Ms Sylvia sort, Hohe Düne, right on the edge of of this part of Germany. A reception Bretschneider, BSPC Chair and Presi- the Baltic Sea. The aim of the confer- hosted by Mr Erwin Sellering, Prime dent of the Landtag Mecklen- ence was to pass a resolution on the Minister of -Vorpom- burg-Vorpommern, gave a commem- Baltic Sea Region as a role model for mern, closed the first day. orative address on the beginning of innovation in social and healthcare. the 2nd World War. Ms Manuela On Monday, three sessions took place Schwesig, Federal Minister for Fami- The participants arrived on Saturday that focused on cooperation in the lies, Senior Citizens, Women and and the BSPC Drafting Committee Baltic Sea Region, on cross-border co- Youth, held a keynote speech to open and the BSPC Standing Committee operation in healthcare and on health the fourth session and this was fol- held their first sessions on Sunday, and economy. In the evening, a prize- lowed by a roundtable discussion. The 30th August. Parallel sessions were or- winner of the Mecklenburg-Vorpom- final version of the resolution was ganized by the NDPHS secretariat on mern Festival, Martynas and the Sin- adopted at the closing of the confer- health. In the afternoon, a guided har- Chronic Quartet, gave an impressive ence. 2 The 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference | Sunday, 30th August 2015

Extracts from the Welcoming Speech given by Mr Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

„I bid you all a very warm welcome to in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and a Rostock-Warnemünde, here in Meck- priority in the work of the state govern- lenburg-Vorpommern. I am very ment. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has, pleased to be able to welcome so many therefore, taken an active role in the co- prominent guests from all Baltic Sea operation of the Baltic Sea states from countries, along with representatives the very beginning. Mecklenburg-Vor- from Iceland and Norway and observ- pommern works with the Council of ers from other countries such as Hun- the Baltic Sea States, in cooperation gary and Turkey. with the sub-regions, in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions and 2015 is a very special year for us here in Mr Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister also in the Baltic Commission. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: this year of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Ms we are celebrating 25 years of German Sylvia Bretschneider, President of the In the last 20 years, we have developed unity and 25 years of Mecklen- Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern many good contacts with our neigh- burg-Vorpommern. And we can and Ms Rimantė Šalaševičiūtė, Min- bours in the Baltic region, contacts be- proudly say that we have made really ister for Health from Lithuania tween schools, universities, businesses good progress in these 25 years. and chambers, between cities and towns, in the fields of sports and cul- We have achieved a lot since 1990: our social insurance contributions has in- ture. We have close partnerships with towns and villages shine in new splen- creased. All this is the result of an un- regions in Sweden, Finland and Po- dour; we have a modern infrastructure; precedented construction process. A land, with good economic coopera- and we have developed very well – es- great achievement of the people in our tion, especially in the port industries pecially from an economic point of state, to whom I, as Prime Minister, am and logistics, in the tourism and health- view. In the meantime, we have be- very grateful and of whom the people care industries. come strong in many industries: in here with us in Mecklenburg-Vorpom- tourism in any event – this federal state mern can rightly be proud. However, the Baltic region offers its is simply beautiful – as well as in the residents not only economic opportu- food industry, in the health sector and From the outset, good cooperation nities. Our co-operation is also an ex- in renewable energies. The unemploy- with our neighbours around the Baltic cellent example of living European in- ment figure is at its lowest level since Sea has always been one of the major tegration, of an intensive exchange in ; the number of political and economic prospects for us peace and freedom.”

Opening of the Conference: Ms Sylvia Bretschneider, Chair of the BSPC, Mr Bodo Bahr, Head of BSPC Secretariat, Mr Armin Tebben, Director of the Landtag Mecklenburg- Vorpommern and Vice-Chair of the BSPC Prof. Dr. Jānis Vucāns Sunday, 30th August 2015 | The 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference 3

Harbour Tour and Guided Tour of Rostock Old Town Hanseatic city and a seaside resort

On Sunday afternoon, there was a President of the Bürgerschaft, wel- delegates to have a look at some of the boat trip from the conference ven- comed the BSPC delegates to the large churches, towers, city gates, ga- ue, Hohe Düne. The delegates were historic town hall of Rostock famous bled houses, warehouses and many taken around the harbour to see the for its seven towers. In a welcome ad- examples of northern German Brick moles, lighthouses and enormous dress, Mr Jochen Schulte, Member Gothic architecture. ships and cruise liners. The sail of the Landtag Mecklenburg-Vor- along the Warnow provided a splen- pommern, stressed the importance did view of the German Baltic of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Re- „Health is wealth and coastline and the Hanseatic town of gion as all the partners shared similar wealth is health” Rostock. societal challenges. A guided city tour provided insight into the histori- During a reception and on behalf of the cal background of the Hanseatic Lord Mayor, Dr Wolfgang Nitzsche, town and was an opportunity for

During the conference parallel sessions of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS) were organized by the NDPHS secre- Mr Jochen Schulte, Member of the Landtag tariat. A number of parliamen- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, addressed the dele- tarians took part in the meet- gates in the Town Hall of Rostock and under- ings and received an overview lined the town’s role as Mecklenburg-Vorpom- of the very strong association be- mern’s gateway to the Baltic Sea and the neigh- tween health and the economy boring regions. and other policy areas. 4 Opening of the 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference | Monday, 31st August 2015

Opening Words by Ms Sylvia Bretschneider, Chair of the BSPC

sea that connects our countries. In featuring very similar problems at this sense I hope for a constructive the same time, will help us to this conference that is held in the spirit of end. […] friendship and harmony. We are all gathered here to work together on I am looking forward to our discus- challenges we more or less all share. sions and which demands we will And we are here to think about joint formulate for our governments. I strategies to tackle these challenges. am pleased that the draft resolution also contains many concrete ideas The conference is titled „Baltic Sea for future joint initiatives in the „It is my distinct honor to welcome Region – A Role Model for Innova- area of Innovation in Social- and you to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, tion in Social- and Healthcare”. In Healthcare. Our work on this im- host of the 24th Baltic Sea Parliamen- the social- and healthcare sector, portant field shouldn’t end with tary Conference. Again I would like there are many challenges: an ageing this conference. It should be the to thank our Prime Minister for the population, inequalities in health- starting point of a much deeper and excellent reception yesterday. care, an increase in lifestyle-related more concrete cooperation in this diseases, financial pressure on the field, which is so important for all I am very happy to see so many fa- service systems and others. the people in our countries. It miliar faces today and I look forward should be supported by joint initia- to our discussions both in the plena- In a number of sessions we will dis- tives and be followed up on a regu- ry and in the Drafting Committee, cuss these challenges from different lar basis. today and tomorrow. […] perspectives. We will also highlight how innovation can help to cope I wish us all a very successful confer- We have come together in the most with these challenges. The Baltic ence and that we will continue to in- northern tip of the city of Rostock. I Sea Region possesses profound crease public awareness and prepare am very pleased that we managed to knowledge in this area. It should be joint opinions on current issues in hold our conference here. It is the our ambition to establish the Baltic the Baltic Sea Region. I am confi- perfect location for a conference that Sea Region as a role model for in- dent that we will – and I am now brings together parliamentarians novation in this field. I think that honored to yield the floor to the from all around the Baltic Sea. Sure- the combination of our different Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vor- ly, we couldn’t be any closer to the traditions and experiences, while pommern, Mr Erwin Sellering.” Monday, 31st August 2015 | Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region – FIRST SESSION 5

FIRST SESSION Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region

Chair – Mr Ryszard Górecki, MP, Poland Vice-Chair – Ms Giedrė Purvaneckienė, MP, Lithuania

Mr Raul Mälk Mr Michał Czyż Mr Jørn Dohrmann

The first session of the conference in- sador of Poland and Current CBSS formed the participants about the troduced the „Cooperation in the Bal- Chair, presented an update on the strategy of socio-economic develop- tic Sea Region”. The session was priorities of the Polish CBSS Presi- ment of the North-West Federal chaired by Mr Ryszard Górecki, dency stressing sustainability, crea- District. Member of Parliament from Poland, tivity and safety. and Ms Giedrė Purvaneckienė, Mr Harry Liiv, Chair of the Baltic Member of Parliament from Lithua- Mr Jørn Dohrmann, Member of Marine Environment Protection nia as vice-chair. the European Parliament, presented Commission - Helsinki Commis- information on the EU strategy for sion (HELCOM) gave a report on Starting off in this first session Ms the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Sylvia Bretschneider reported its external aspects, health coopera- Plan regarding the protection of the from the BSPC Chair. Following tion and on the Northern Dimen- marine environment of the Baltic this Mr Raul Mälk, Ambassador of sion policy. Sea Area. Estonia and outgoing chair of the Council of the Baltic Sea States Ms Valentina Pivnenko, Member Ms Daria Akhutina, General Di- (CBSS), informed the delegates on of the Duma of the Federal Assem- rector, reported from the Baltic Sea activities. Mr Michał Czyż, Ambas- bly of the Russian Federation in- NGO Forum and Network.

Ms Valentina Pivnenko Mr Harry Liiv Ms Daria Akhutina 6 SECOND SESSION – Cross-border Cooperation in Healthcare | Monday, 31st August 2015

SECOND SESSION Cross-border Cooperation in Healthcare

Chair – Ms Valentina Pivnenko, MP, Russian Federation Vice-Chair – Mr Franz Thönnes, MP, Germany

Ms Rimantė Šalaševičiūtė Mr Dmitry Kostennikov Ms Annette Widmann-Mauz

The second session was chaired by Ms Mr Dmitry Kostennikov, Dr. Nedret Emiroglu, Deputy Di- Valentina Pivnenko, Member of the Vice-Minister for Health and rector of the WHO Regional Office State Duma of the Federal Assembly State-Secretary, Russia informed the for Europe, gave an overview of the of the Russian Federation, and Mr participants about Russian coopera- MDGs in working towards the new Franz Thönnes, Member of Parlia- tions. European policy for health in sup- ment from Germany, as vice-chair. port of national health policies and The speakers presented their views and Ms Annette Widmann-Mauz, Par- strategies. statements on „Cross-border Coopera- liamentary State Secretary at the tion in Healthcare”. Federal Ministry for Health, Ger- Mr Bo Könberg, former Minister many, reported on initiatives taking for Health from Sweden and author Ms Rimantė Šalaševičiūtė, Minis- place in the Northern Region. of the report „The Future Nor- ter for Health from Lithuania, high- dic-Co-operation on Health” re- lighted possibilities for cross-border ported on how the Nordic coopera- cooperations. tion in the health field can be devel- oped in the next 5-10 years.

Dr. Nedret Emiroglu Mr Bo Könberg Monday, 31st August 2015 | Health & Economy – Paving the Way for Innovation in Social- and Healthcare – THIRD SESSION 7

THIRD SESSION Health & Economy – Paving the Way for Innovation in Social- and Healthcare

Chair – Mr Pyry Niemi, MP, Sweden, Nordic Council Vice-Chair – Mr Jörgen Petterson, Member of Parliament from Åland Islands

Mr Günther Oettinger Prof. Dr. Dr. Horst Klinkmann Dr. Jaanus Pikani

The chair of the third session was Mr Prof. Dr. Dr. Horst Klinkmann, Dr. Dennis A. Ostwald from Pyry Niemi, Member of Parliament President of BioCon Valley, ex- WifOR, an independent economic from Sweden, and the vice-chair was plained the role of Mecklen- research institute, presented an Mr Jörgen Petterson, Member of burg-Vorpommern as a leading overview of the economic foot- Parliament from Åland Islands. The health region in the context of life prints of the healthcare sector in discussion evolved around “Health & sciences and health economy. the Baltic Sea Region and of health Economy – Paving the Way for Inno- economics. vation in Social and Healthcare”. Dr. Jaanus Pikani, Vice-President of ScanBalt, described the Baltic Sea Prof. Dr. Martin Mielke, Head of Mr Günther Oettinger, European Region as a test site for the develop- the Department of Infectious Dis- Commissioner for Digital Econo- ment of health care products and eases at the Robert Koch Institute, my and Society, presented the latest services with the goal of turning reported on battling the spread of development on eHealth in a Euro- Northern Europe into a globally multi-resistant bacteria. pean dimension. competitive BioRegion.

Dr. Dennis A. Ostwald Prof. Dr. Martin Mielke 8 Impressions | Monday, 31st August 2015 Monday, 31st August 2015 | Impressions 9

Martynas and the SinChronic Quartet – „Accordion meets string quartet” Martynas Levickis, the Lithuanian accor- dion virtuoso and prizewinner of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival and SinChronic, the string quartet, gave a stunning performance on Monday evening in the Boat House. The ensem- ble transported the audience on a colour- ful musical journey, their diverse reper- toire evolving from splendid baroque pieces to the hits of today’s pop music. The group is comprised of Giedrė Žarėnaitė (Violin), Simas Tankevičius (Violin), Mintautas Kriščiūnas (Viola) and Ignė Pikalavičiūtė (Violoncello). 10 FOURTH SESSION – Tuesday, 1st September 2015

FOURTH SESSION Sustainable and Accessible Social and Healthcare - At the Crossroads of Healthcare Provision, the Demographic Shift and Shrinking Budgets.

Chair – Mr Per Rune Henriksen, MP, Norway Vice-Chair – Ms Carola Veit, President of the Hamburg Parliament

The fourth session was chaired by Mr Ms Sylvia Bretschneider, Chair of followed by a keynote speech by Ms Per Rune Henriksen, Member of the the BSPC and President of the Parlia- Manuela Schwesig, Federal Minis- Norwegian Parliament and Ms Car- ment of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ter for Families, Senior Citizens, ola Veit, President of the Hamburg started the day with a commemorat- Women and Youth, on “Demographic Parliament. ing speech on 1 September 1939 Challenges and Care”.

In a moving speech the Chairman of the BSPC, Sylvia Bretschneider, commemorated the 60 million victims of World War II at the beginning of the BSPC plenary on 1 September. Following the speech, Ms Bretschneider led the other delegates in song, beginning “We shall overcome” and finished with the third verse “We shall live in peace”, followed by a minute of silence by all participants. Extracts from the Speech Commemorating the Start of World War II on 1 September 1939

“1 September is the day which tough in the discussions, we should makes us pause and remember the always be fair, focusing on what we horrors of war, which still deeply have in common. Honoured partic- shocks us to this day. […] 76 years ipants of the Baltic Sea Parliamenta- after World War II was provoked ry Conference, let us jointly seek by the German National Socialists answers to the questions we are con- and 70 years after its end, which cerned about. Let us continue to did not immediately bring justice, work together in learning from his- freedom and self-determination tory, which is not merely a chapter for all, it is clearer than ever before historical responsibilities and in of the past. We bear special respon- that all of us are still facing a chal- our political, economic and social sibility – in particular as members lenge in society: to keep up aware- interests. Our declared goal is to of parliament, as democratically ness of the crimes, committed by ensure that the Baltic Sea remains a elected representatives of the people Germany’s National Socialists, to sea of peace. We can and will in our countries – to ensure that we learn from our history, and most achieve this goal by promoting our live in real peace in our own coun- importantly to let it guide our po- common identity, while respecting tries and with our neighbours. We litical and social actions. […] For national self-determination, inde- bear responsibility for the dignity of all of us here today, the Baltic Sea pendence and human rights. How- all human beings and for preserving – where the first shots were fired ever, we will only be able to achieve the memory of those who suffered which led to World War II – is this if we engage with each other in then. Please rise and observe a mo- what connects us. We have come discussions and if we work together ment of silence for all the victims of together despite differences in our to find solutions. While we may be World War II.” Tuesday, 1st September 2015 – FOURTH SESSION 11

Extracts from the Keynote Speech on „Demographic Challenges and Care” given by Ms Manuela Schwesig, Federal Minister for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

„[…] The conference subject this introduced legislation that entitles all year is the effects of demographic employees to take 10 days leave with- change in the Baltic Sea Region. out a reduction in their wages. It is Dealing with population growth is clear that these 10 days are not ade- one of the biggest domestic political quate for the care of the care recipi- challenges in Germany, even if we ent – the father or mother. But it are happy about the last measured gives the person time to become in- increase in the birth rate. formed about other possibilities for […] This conference here in Rostock care and to organise support. is an excellent opportunity for col- A person that is fostering, must not lecting the various experiences of this In this connection the head of the lose his or her job. Therefore we en- common challenge in the countries social department of an administra- courage employees to reduce the and regions and to discuss new ideas. tive district in Mecklenburg-Vor- number of hours worked per week I thank you for the invitation! The pommern has said: „We are ready to for two years to have more time for a second big political challenge that take in more young refugees. These family member in need of care. To cannot be seen in isolation from de- young people provide us with an op- compensate the loss of income in mographic change is human interac- portunity.” […] In my opinion, this that time we offer a loan with no in- tion with the big number of refu- is not only a human but also a far- terest. Beyond the two years another gees. […] My question is: Can the sighted and strategical point of view. family member may resume nurture. North help? Can the Baltic Sea Re- The refugees are not only a burden. […] A large part of the effects of the gion, for example, be a new home- They can also be a benefit if the prob- demographic change is borne by the land for a number of the refugees? lem or situation is properly handled. families. This is a wonderful achieve- The answer must be a clear YES. We […] In Germany two thirds of all ment on the part of families. And my must distribute the responsibility for the people who depend on care are aim is to strengthen the families, refugees more fairly. […] taken care of in their own house- while we help them to keep a balance Recently I presented a law to im- holds – one third exclusively by between care, family and their occu- prove the conditions for young un- members of the family. We want to pation.” accompanied refugees in Germany. support them. First of all, we have (Check against delivery)

Ms Olaug Bollestad, Member of the BSPC Working Group on Inno- presented a detailed report about Parliament from Norway, Chair of vation in Social and Healthcare the result of two years work.

Ms Madara Muižniece and Mr Maximilian Priebe, Representa- tives from the 24th BSPC back-to- back event “Kiel Week Youth Fo- rum on Innovation in Social- and Healthcare” reported on the discus- sions of the young participants and the recommendations of the young people. Ms Olaug Bollestad Ms Madara Muižniece and Maximilian Priebe, 12 FOURTH SESSION – Tuesday, 1st September 2015

These presentations were followed by a Mr Jörg Heydorn, Member of Parlia- Health Economics Division of Social roundtable discussion moderated by Ms ment, Chairman of the Study Commis- Medicine and Global Health (SMGH), Susanne Kluge, Television Presenter and sion on Ageing in Mecklenburg-Vorpom- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund Medical Journalist with Ms Olaug Bolles- mern; Ms Riitta Työläjärvi, Senior Advi- University and Prof. Dr Marek Zygmunt, tad, Member of Parliament from Norway, sor Health and Social Policy, Finnish Con- Supervisory Board of BioCon Valley as Chairman of the BSPC Working Group federation of Salaried Employees STTK; participants and a vivid discussion of par- on Innovation in Social and Healthcare; Mr Björn Ekman, PhD, Researcher, liamentarians.

Ms Annette Holm- Ms Jette, Waldinger- Mr Veiko Spolītis, Member Ms Silke Gajek, Landtag berg-Jansson, Åland Thiering, Landtag of Parliament of Latvia Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Parliament Schleswig-Holstein

CLOSING OF THE 24th BSPC Closing Words by Ms Sylvia Bretschneider, Chair of the BSPC Thank you everyone for your great work pass the baton over to the incoming Chair- everything possible together with all our during this conference, as well as during this man, our colleague Jānis Vucāns. But before colleagues. Thank you very much. past year. The resolution of the 24th Baltic I do this, I would like to express that I am And now let’s do the last step. Jānis, Sea Parliamentary Conference is adopted. I very, very proud of my staff. (Applause). would you please come forward to receive hope that the contents of this resolution will They worked very hard, they did a very, the baton of the BSPC chairman? be acted on by our governments, ministries very good job. Dear Jānis, I hand it over to you. I wish you and other institutions around the Baltic Sea. Not only our Secretary Bodo Bahr, who is all the best and I am sure, the next confer- working with the conference for a very long ence will be a successful one as well. Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, time, but also the staff off my parliament, And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time It has been a true honor to be your BSPC with the director Mr. Armin Tebben, the for our new Chairman to take over and to Chairman. And now I’m very much looking chief of the parliament staff,who organized address us. forward to follow a good BSPC tradition to everything during the year and made Please Jānis, you have the floor. Tuesday, 1st September 2015 – FOURTH SESSION 13

Speech by Professor Dr. Jānis Vucāns, incoming Chairman of the BSPC on the occasion of the transfer of the Chairmanship of the BSPC

Honourable Chairman of the BSPC, ic of the Working Group on Innova- Presidency will continue to make good dear colleagues, tion in Social- and Healthcare we had on this promise. I also underline this ladies and gentlemen quite a novel item on our agenda. point because I believe that the BSPC is a unique forum that has an even greater First of all, I would like to congratulate The Baltic Sea Region faces longterm significance in the current situation, our German friends and especially the challenges and problems, and the which is no longer as stress-free, as be- Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern BSPC together with other regional in- fore. The disagreement between most as they conclude their presidency of the stitutions must strive to protect citi- part of western countries and Russia in a Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. zens` interests by promoting their wel- number of regional cooperation direc- You addressed many important issues fare, safety and competitiveness. In- tions cannot be denied and ignored. which will promote welfare, competi- habitants of the Baltic Sea region are tiveness and prosperity of the Region. interested in having asecure, predicta- What sets the BSPC apart from other ble and growing political, economic, platforms is the fact that we still up- Dear Sylvia, you devoted yourself to social and cultural environment. hold the banner of cooperation, with- the parliamentary cooperation of the Therefore during the Latvian Presiden- out turning a blind eye to differences in Baltic Sea Region not only during the cy we would like to focus our common opinions that we could also witness presidency. We all know that you have work on the issue which is a funda- during this conference. I believe that been the captain of the Baltic Sea co- mental cornerstone for the wellbeing we must continue our work, if we want operation for many, many years. We of the region - Education and Labour to live in peace and maintain a good truly appreciate your contribution to Market Policy. We believe it is impor- neighbourhood. I am glad that we have strengthening the cooperation of the tant to look for political answers to the once again proven that we are capable countries around our Mare Nostrum. following questions: How to ensure ef- of working together. And I am proud fective correlation between the labour that Riga will be the host city of the Today, Latvia takes over the presidency market and education sector? What Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer- policy measures should be taken to 25 years after East and West had over- ence. To assume the duties of the Chair- promote investment in skills and train- come confrontation. In this spirit I man is an enormous challenge and a ing of workers? How to deal with hope that we will contribute to making great honour for me. On behalf of the youth unemployment and the mobili- the region more secure and prosperous. Latvian parliament and the Latvian del- ty of the labour force? Our main goal as elected representa- egation, I would like to attest that we tives of our countries was and still is: will perform our duties very responsibly I am glad that after all the discussions we to keep up the dialogue, because we are committed to improve had in our Standing committee meet- to conduct an active peace policy, the quality of the Baltic Sea and ensure ings about the next Working group we to establish the Baltic Sea as a Sea of sustainability of the Region. 25 years af- reached the decision that the next two Peace. ter the Fall of the Iron Curtain, and the years we will have a Working Group on first conference of the Baltic Sea parlia- the issue of Sustainable Tourism with a Dear Ms Carola Veit, the President of mentarians in Helsinki, we are very set of sub-focusses, including maritime the Hamburg Parliament, I want to proud to be the hosts of the Silver Jubilee spatial planning a central pillar. Sylvia congratulate you for becoming the Vice of the BSPC. The baton has now passed Bretschneider agreed to lead this Work- President of the Baltic Sea Parliamenta- on from Rostock to its sister city Riga. ing Group and I am very happy about ry Conference for the next year, and I Even though these two cities may be far that. It is important that the BSPC ad- hope on our successful cooperation. apart, they are connected by our com- dresses concrete issues of Sustainable mon home,the Baltic Sea, and by the Tourism , and continues to move from Finally, I would like also to thank Hanseatic League heritage. the general idea, that cooperation is im- everybody who took part in the work portant, to concrete projects of mutual of our conference and made it so suc- Traditionally, the BSPC has dealt with interest, where cooperation can give real cessful. Thank you very much for your economic and environmental issues; improvements. This has been the attention, and see you next year in Lat- with this year’s conference and the top- BSPC’s goal all along, and the Latvian via, in Riga! 14 CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

Drafting Committee The BSPC Drafting Committee was responsible for developing the political recommendations of the annual parliamen- tary conference during the three-day consultation. (The conference report, the speeches and the presentations will be available on http://www.bspc.net/)

Conference Resolution Adopted by the 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)

The participants, elected representa- to the parties to provide comprehen- of the ministerial meetings of the tives from the Baltic Sea Region sive support to the work of the OSCE; Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS). States*, assembling in Rostock, Meck- This will foster the dialogue and lenburg-Vorpommern, 30 August – 1 expect all Baltic Sea States to make strengthen cooperation; September 2015, every effort to ensure that the Baltic Sea region will continue to be a region discussing Cooperation in the Baltic welcome, against the background of of intensive co-operation and good, Sea Region, Cross-Border Coopera- the crisis in Ukraine, the agreements peaceful neighbourliness. To this end, tion in Health Care, Health and concluded in Minsk, which may lead they will use all the opportunities of Economy – Paving the Way for Inno- to a peaceful solution of the conflict, parliamentary, governmental and so- vation in Social and Health Care, and and insist on their thorough and un- cial exchange and dialogue. For this Sustainable and Accessible Social and wavering implementation and appeal reason, they also call for a resumption Health Care – at the Crossroads of Health Care Provision, the Demo- graphic Shift and Shrinking Budgets;

reiterating their support for the Coun- cil of Baltic Sea States (CBSS), wel- coming the new long-term priorities of the CBSS, as well as the efforts of the Polish CBSS Presidency to im- prove coherence in Baltic Sea regional cooperation, and acknowledging the progress and achievements of CBSS in fields such as sustainable economic growth, clean shipping, labour market

*Parliaments of Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, Federal Republic of Germany, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Iceland, Latvia, Leningrad Region, Lithuania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, City of St. Petersburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Sweden, Åland Islands, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Baltic Assembly, Nordic Council CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 15

mobility, research and development, able economy, capable of boosting the future and to reaffirm the com- transport and communications, cul- competitiveness and opening up new mitment for the continued improve- tural heritage, trafficking in human opportunities for business and em- ment and modernization of the waste beings, and civil security, and support ployment; water treatment capacity throughout the entire Baltic Sea Region, in com- the CBSS practical approach to the 4. co-operate in order to strengthen implementation of the new CBSS pliance with the stricter threshold val- the Baltic Sea Region as an important ues agreed by HELCOM; long term priorities; competitive knowledge region with expressing against the background of an excellent higher education and re- 9. enhance macro-regional capacity to the current situation their solidarity search infrastructure; respond to major emergencies based on all-hazards approach and joint, with the refugees which are forced to 5. encourage co-operation in the fields flee their homelands, being aware of cross-border preparations to protect where mutual benefits and synergies lives, health and wellbeing of citizens; the big challenge to secure a safe resi- e.g. between the EU Strategy for the dence; Baltic Sea Region and the Strategy for 10. strengthen and further develop call on the governments in the Baltic the socio-economic development of HELCOM as the main coordinating Sea Region, the CBSS, the World the North-West Federal district of body in the effort to protect the Baltic Health Organisation (WHO) and the Russia can only be achieved by identi- marine environment, and to strongly European Union (EU); fying common priorities and by devel- support the implementation of the oping respective regional strategies Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), and to to ensure the decent treatment of the and action plans; stress the importance of BSAP as the refugees especially concerning hous- environmental pillar of the EU Strate- ing and healthcare; 6. evaluate the effects and promote gy for the Baltic Sea Region; the extension of the new regulations on SECA (Sulphur Emission Control 11. deepen the political exchange Regarding Cooperation in the Bal- Area), in force since 1 January 2015, among young people in the Baltic Sea tic Sea Region, to to other sea basins, including outside Region and to support the permanent of the EU, and support efficient -en establishment of a Baltic Sea Youth 1. strengthen the cooperation in the forcement of these regulations on Forum; ships, regardless of which flag they Baltic Sea Region including the 12. support the Nordic Bioeconomy might fly, to ensure the improvement Northern Dimension and the EU Initiative by the Nordic Council of of the environment, human health Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and Ministers; other regional actors for a stable foun- and to secure the competitiveness of dation of relations and encourage fur- the shipping sector in the region; Regarding Cross-border ther development of the structural di- 7. promote close cooperation between Co-operation in Health Care, to alogue and cooperation between each cruise operators, ports and other and every regional organization and coastal tourism stakeholders such as in format leading to creation of a com- 13. expand, strengthen and deepen the recently launched Pan-European mon Baltic cooperation space; cross-border cooperation in social and Cruise Dialogue and actively partici- health care and the strategic planning 2. support any cooperation that marks pate in transnational projects to un- of health services and continue with the Baltic Sea Region as a model re- lock the full potential for sustainable strong effort the development of a gion with equal access to health for all blue growth in the maritime and “Baltic Sea Health Region”, to de- and with a special obligation to sup- coastal tourism sectors; crease inequality and lift the general port the dissemination and develop- welfare as a common challenge all Bal- 8. continue work to upgrade recep- ment of health and well-being by tic Sea Region Countries face; tion facilities for sewage in passenger playing a key role in the realization of ports to ensure a timely activation of the new sustainable development 14. support the Northern Dimension the special area status of the Baltic Sea goals of the United Nations; Partnership in Public Health and So- under Marpol Annex IV of the Inter- cial Wellbeing (NDPHS) as a highly 3. reaffirm the pursuit of the entire re- national Maritime Organization, with valued and innovative regional net- gion to co-operation aimed at becom- the aim to hinder the release of un- work, significantly contributing to the ing a role model region with a sustain- treated sewage from passenger ships in improvement of peoples’ health and 16 CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

social wellbeing in the Northern Di- 22. intensify exchanges of experience 28. improve support for the develop- mension area, the new NDPHS Strat- and co-operation with the aim of ment of innovations in health care in egy 2020 and its Action Plan, as well fighting antimicrobial resistance as order to prevent a brain drain; as the Policy Area “Health” of the EU one of the main global challenges in Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region; health care, to implement research in 29. support the ScanBalt Strategy this area, and support and intensify all 2015-2018 and use synergies with ex- 15. support the EU´s cross-border efforts to develop and implement a isting strategies; co-operation programmes and other global action plan on antimicrobial 30. develop measures to improve the relevant programmes as tools contrib- resistance by WHO; uting to strengthening cross-border situation of the medical and care pro- fessions through – for example - and regional co-operation in health 23. reduce the usage of antibiotics – eHealth; care in the Baltic Sea Region; general – and for agriculture (livestock farming) to an absolute minimum in 16. launch and develop concrete 31. improve conditions to support the order to prevent further increase of transnational health care and social development of innovations in health antimicrobial resistance; wellbeing initiatives, such as ScanBalt care, including in the fields of eHealth or the WHO’s Healthy Cities project and telemedicine, whilst ensuring that 24. strive to introduce the same stand- investments in eHealth support the and to foster the development of the ards on a high level in the treatment of Baltic Sea Health Region by further adoption of standards and drive inter- contagious infectious diseases operability across the health sector to strategies and transnational projects, throughout the Baltic Sea Region; e.g. by a joint antibiotics strategy, by leverage the „eHealth European Inter- connecting the fields of health, tour- 25. broaden the scope of the Könberg operability Framework (eEIF)” and ism, information and communica- report to the entire Baltic Sea Region, observe the joint European initiatives, tions technology (ICT) and natural in order to gain a comparable over- such as the “Guidelines under eHealth resources; view of the status of health and care in Network” of the responsible member the Baltic Sea Region; state authorities; 17. spread innovative and best prac- 32. further strengthen measures for tices throughout the Baltic Sea Region 26. commission a regular report on collaborative implementation of a so to become a model region in health the status of health including disag- joint eHealth Innovation ecosystem care; gregated data and analysis for different based on a Baltic Sea Region coopera- population groups such as children, 18. co-operate on research and sus- tion platform for eHealth initiatives youth and senior citizens and particu- tainable strategies for promotion of built on smart specialization and mo- larly marginalized groups in the coun- cultivation and production of healthy bilize regional resources based on al- tries of the Baltic Sea Region, in order and organic food; ready existing structures and interna- to coordinate issues, definitions and tionally recognized standards; 19. make workplaces safer and health- emphases as a step forward in terms of ier and thus more productive and rec- comparability of different systems 33. improve the conditions to include ognize the important work of trade within the region and map commonly eHealth and telemedicine in the unions to promote a culture of risk shared challenges ahead; standard care; prevention to improve working con- ditions throughout the region; 34. improve early intervention to strengthen good public health through 20. improve transnational coopera- Regarding Health and Economy, to social investment such as vaccine pro- tion and medical specialization in the grams, and take strong measures to re- treatment of rare diseases, bearing in 27. appreciate that, whereas economic duce consumption of alcohol, tobacco mind the cost-effective usage of medi- prosperity is good for health, good and illicit drugs, and work towards cal equipment; health outcomes also favour economic stronger prevention of diabetes II and growth and development. To that other lifestyle illnesses; 21. regulate transnational emergency end, recognize the importance of care in a way that the fastest possible health and social wellbeing for the 35. support the usage of cost-reducing healthcare provision can be guaran- economy and other policy areas and methods for better quality of life, in- teed regardless of the healthcare pro- vice versa and consider health aspects cluding cultural and physical viders´ country of origin; in all policies; health-related activities in treatment; CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 17

36. improve the national labelling rel- Ageing and especially considering ple in culture, sports, volunteering evant for a healthy lifestyle including public services with regard to rural and music in order to fight against labelling accessible to different popu- peripheral areas; stigmatization of disadvantaged lation groups such as child-sensitive groups; and child-specific labelling; 44. install geriatric health care centres and modify social rehabilitation cen- 52. create incentives to improve the 37. foster development of health-re- tres to ensure health care in rural are- conditions of the nursing and care lated services within the tourism strat- as as well as improving age-appropri- professions and to work towards in- egies of the Baltic Sea Region coun- ate medicine; tensified professional and vocational tries; training for people employed in the 45. ensure integrated services for health sector to significantly facilitate children consolidating health care 38. ensure global comparability of a cost-effective health system in the re- and social care services in a child-sen- health economy and measure the per- gion and foster understanding of the sitive way; formance and the impact of the health health sector as a cross-cutting issue; care systems via economic growth and 46. ensure support services for fami- employment by establishing a first re- 53. fully recognize the social partners lies, pregnant women and prospec- liable transnational method like “eco- in the social and health care profes- tive parents in support of families nomic footprint of health economy”; sions, protect their activities and en- and parenthood, provide an integrat- sure that social partners and trade ed package of services to families 39. check the possibility to establish a unions will be involved in the regula- with children in order to encourage “Baltic Health Forum”, to ensure and tory and implementation process on childbirth, childcare and child rear- improve a sustainable exchange and health issues as early as possible; networking in this policy field around ing with a view to counteracting the the Baltic Sea; current demographic trends and in- 54. carefully consider both physical vesting in families and fostering and psycho-social risks at work place, child-friendly communities and soci- against the background of a rising re- Regarding Sustainable and Accessi- eties; tirement age, strive for good working ble Social and Health Care, to conditions, wellbeing and a sustaina- 47. encourage patient responsibility ble work-life balance within the la- for people living in the Baltic Sea Re- 40. ensure affordable health care for bour force of the Baltic Sea Region; gion; everyone and emphasize the focus on 55. strive to establish laws for pa- the needs of patients with due regard 48. raise awareness especially amongst tients’ rights in all the countries of to age and gender and to warrant the youth in a healthier lifestyle and the Baltic Sea Region and mecha- equal and affordable access to to work on making education in nisms to ensure that those rights are high-quality health services through- healthy lifestyle mandatory in all fulfilled; out the whole Baltic Sea Region; schools and all school levels, a data- base on best practice examples on 41. ensure that a positive economic 56. establish a Working Group on how to improve education and development in the region promotes Sustainable Tourism – with focus on awareness should be created; high standards in health care and so- cultural, economic and labour mar- ket, maritime and coastal tourism as cial wellbeing; 49. carry out studies with the aim of well as ecological aspects and as a developing prevention strategies in 42. take strong measures to ensure central pillar of maritime spatial health care, such as the North-Trøn- equitable availability, access and use planning and with a view to develop- delag Health Study (HUNT); of social welfare and health care ser- ing synergies with the policy area vices, e.g. between urban and rural 50. establish a first aid system for “Tourism” under the EU Strategy for areas, between socio-economic mental health problems as the recog- the Baltic Sea Region - to submit a groups and with due regard to age nition, awareness and diagnostic of first report at the 25th BSPC; and gender; mental problems are still underde- 57. welcome with gratitude the kind veloped; 43. develop and strengthen strategies offer of the Parliament of Latvia to addressing demographic change, 51. support activities on Non-Gov- host the 25th Baltic Sea Parliamenta- such as the European Innovation ernmental Organizations focussing ry Conference in Riga on 28 - 30 Au- Partnership on Active and Healthy on non-formal education for exam- gust 2016. Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference

Landtag

Conference Site Yachting & Spa Resort, Hohe Düne, in Rostock on 30th August - 1st September 2015

Photo: Dr. Claudia Peters

Meet you next time in Latvia, hosting the 25th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Riga on 28th - 30th August 2016

Photo: shutterstock.com

Impressum

©Landtag Text: Dr. Claudia Peters, Bodo Bahr Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Editing: Bodo Bahr, Dr. Claudia Peters Schwerin 2015 Layout: Produktionsbüro Tinus Photos: Jens Büttner