Interview with Uffe Ellemann Jensen

CO-FOUNDER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BALTIC SEA STATES AND THE BALTIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM

BCB: If looking from the time when the iron curtain fell, the development until now would have been impossible to imagine. The EU enlargement is in many ways also a very significant historic moment. Can you give us some vision on the coming ten-twelve years? (we will of course confront you with your reply in ten years time...)

U.E. Jensen: Well, you are very welcome. My overall vision for the Baltic Sea area is that we at some point create a huge free-trading zone between the EU and Russia and in time a real single market. Think what an encouraging and constructive achievement that would be both for Russia and for Europe as a whole.

However, my vision demands action and political leadership. The sooner someone takes action, the better. The first step is WTO membership for Russia. WTO membership is, of course, no cure for all of Russia's ills. But it does seem well suited to address many of them.

The second step could very well be establishing a Joint Investment Area as proposed by the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Then we can move on from there by drafting a road map for a Baltic Sea Single Market. This road map should use the methodology of Jacques Delors White Paper on the Single Market from 1985.I have been in politics long enough to know that you need concrete deadlines to get anywhere. Jacques Delors White Paper gave us exactly that - so why not just copy that idea?

I truly believe we can create a Baltic Sea Single Market between the EU and Russia - but it can only be done if the politicians can agree upon a scheme with clear deadlines for implementation and indications for performance. And if they can't agree, I urge the business community to take action. I'm sure that my organisation, Baltic Development Forum, would help them along. It's ambitious but we stand ready to assist.

BCB: The proposed EU Constitution contained several things that has not been widely discussed in the public and did not cause the failure during the Brussels summit last year. For example new initiatives on dialogue between EU and sub-national governments - this of course is interesting for UBC members. If taking that into account, how does that influence the vision you stated in the previous question? Or is it such a dialogue of minor importance when looking from government level perspective?

U.E. Jensen: The Baltic Sea cities, sub-regions and metropolises are increasingly gathering attention in the region's business community, in the media and within the EU. Therefore, Baltic Development Forum puts special emphasis on the cooperation between the cities in an organisation like your own and also, the Baltic Metropolises Network, which was set up in 2002 in Copenhagen at the opening of the Baltic Development Forum summit. Cooperation is important and the cooperation must have a wide global perspective.

The smaller cities in our region are also important. They also have to be committed to promote the common political interests of the Baltic Sea Region. In that regard, I think the UBC is an important platform for contacts, joint projects and activities. And I hope you share my belief that my vision can be achieved, if we want to. All actors must be involved if we are to succeed.

BCB: Russia is one of the future problems in the enlarged EU - or perhaps we should regard Russia as an asset? What role can Russia play in a European Baltic Sea Region?

U.E. Jensen: A European Baltic Sea Region? I like that term. And I think that is also how our Russian friends see it. They see the Baltic Sea a gateway to Europe and they see themselves as a Baltic Sea country and a European country. And we need Russia, we need them as partners, we need their engagement in the regional cooperation and, most importantly, we need them to help put the region on the global map.

I believe Russia is a great, great asset for our region. Think about it, despite all the challenges and the setbacks, and despite the enormity of work that still remain for Russia in its social, political and economic transition, the fundamental direction of Russian policies are in general good and moving forward in the right direction. What they have accomplished is just as great as what the Baltics and Poland have accomplished.

BCB: And vice-versa, what role can the European Baltic Sea Region play in Russia?

U.E. Jensen: The Baltic Sea cooperation can provide a platform for Russian ideas. For Russian politicians. For Russian businesses. It is important that we have forums where we can discuss our differences and find common solutions. This is among other things what Baltic Development Forum aims to provide.

But Russia is a Baltic Sea country just like Estonia, Sweden, Germany and so on and should not be treated any different. Nor should they behave in a different way. I say, let's cooperate regional when it makes sense and let's do it on equal terms.

BCB: Some people fear that the Baltic Sea Region is torn into two parts - one centred on Stockholm-Helsinki-St Petersburg, and with Berlin-Hamburg as the centre of gravity in the other part. Is this good or bad, and if it is bad, what can we do about it?

U.E. Jensen: I am glad you mention Hamburg and St. Petersburg. They have increasingly become important European cities. Baltic Development Forum has already had a summit in St. Petersburg and this year we choose Hamburg because Hamburg is a very important centre for international business.

But there's nothing to fear. It's true that we see an emerging but sound competition between German metropolises on one side of the Baltic Sea, with Stockholm-Helsinki-Tallinn on the other side and then the Oresund region around Copenhagen and Southern Sweden in the middle. But that's very good for our area. We shouldn't try to change this competition, rather embrace it. Because it is not a zero-sum-game.

The ability to survive lies in the ability to compete. But the metropolises must remember to cooperate on all reasonable levels and where they can benefit from each other's experiences and competencies. However, I think the Baltic Sea cities, metropolises and subregions know that already.

BCB: If looking at EU policy, there are several policy areas, which do not fit very well in the reality of the Baltic Sea Region, such as EU Transport Policy, EU Cross-border project policy or the strong local authorities and weak regional authorities compared to other parts of Europe. What can we do about it?

U.E. Jensen: It's true that we need to get better when it comes to telling Brussels that ferry transportation is a vital part of the transport network in the Baltic Sea area. However, let's not forget that road, railway and air transport are also very important in the Baltic Sea region. As I see it, it's all about being better in bringing the Baltic Sea region into focus.

We must put the region on the map in Brussels and formulate common visions and strategies and present them to the European Union.

That's why Baltic Development Forum has been in contact with a number of stakeholders with an interest in the development of a coherent transport system. We simply set up a Round Table to get things going. And the mission and the preliminary work of our Round Table actually filled a gap in the activities of many actors in this field.

Today, it is widely appreciated that the Round Table has initiated a process towards a formulation of a policy statement and documentation of a transport strategy backed by actors in the private sector. It's quite unique. And even Brussels has endorsed the initiative. So, as you see, it's not impossible, but it takes an effort and it takes commitment, also financially, from the actors involved.