The UBC Board met in Brussels
The 51st meeting of the UBC Executive
Board was held in Brussels on 8 February 2008 in the premises
of the Committee of the Regions. The Board members participated
as observers in the Committee's 73rd Plenary
Session. Mr Uno Aldegren, Chairman of Relex, informed the
Board about creation of "Interregional Group Baltic"
within the Committee of the Regions. The task of this group
is to lobby for BSR interests. He also added that the European
Commission was considering a special "Baltic Sea Programme/
Strategy" which was to be announced at the end of 2008.
Among the political issues discussed in Brussels
there was the UBC's input to the EC Blue Paper 'An Integrated
Maritime Policy for the European Union'. Mr Mikko Lohikoski,
Turku, reminded that in the first half of 2007, UBC took
position on the EU maritime policy and passed comments on
Green Paper on European Maritime Policy to the European
Commission. On the basis of wide consultation, the EC published
on 10 October 2007 a paper entitled "An Integrated
Maritime Policy for the European Union" (Blue Book).
The UBC is working now on its comments to the Blue Book.
The Board decided to establish the Task Force with Turku
as its chair to follow development in this field. Moreover,
the climate change problems were discussed Together with
CPMR Baltic Sea Commission, UBC responded to the EC Green
Paper "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options
for EU action", emphasizing the key role of local authorities
when dealing with the effects of the climate change. The
UBC contribution to the EC Green Paper on Urban Transport
(Mobility) promoting the Sustainable Urban Transport Planning
was another important issue in the agenda of the Board meeting.
 The
Secretary General Pawel Zaboklicki presented the draft of
the UBC Action Plan for 2008-2009. The policy priorities
of the Union are listed in the blue frame. The Board approved
the Action Plan. Mr Zaboklicki presented also the budget
for 2008 which was approved. The participants were acquainted
with the results of the questionnaire on the UBC further
development. According to Mr Lohikoski, they are creating
a good basis for the further development of the priorities
and structures of the Union. It was decided to continue
the mandate of the Working Group.
The Board decided to accept Halmstad as a
new member of the UBC.
Ms Urve Tiidus, Vice-President of the Union,
Mayor of Kuressaare, invited the Board to Kuressaare in
June 2008.
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