Speech by the Minister of the Environment of Sweden, Andreas Carlgren at the Baltic Sea Seminar, 4 February 2009

The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region - for a healthy sea and a prosperous region

I am very grateful to my Polish hosts, and to you Mr. Maciej Nowicki, that we could arrange this seminar today. This confirms that we - Poland and Sweden - have fruitful cooperation and a common interest to take action for the Baltic Sea environment and for the prosperity of the region.

It is important to make the link between a healthy and a prosperous Baltic Sea region. This reflects the broad approach taken by the EU-Commission in developing a EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. We expect it to have four themes:
. To make the Baltic Sea Region a environmentally sustainable place.
. To make the Baltic Sea Region a prosperous place.
. To make the Baltic Sea Region an accessible and attractive place.
. And, to make the Baltic Sea Region a safe and secure place.

Poland and Sweden
. have both been very active in contributing to the development of the Strategy, and
. will play key roles in carrying it forward the coming years. Let me tell you how.

Last fall, Poland and the city of Gdansk, were the hosts of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region stakeholder seminar on how to make the Baltic Sea Region a environmentally sustainable place. A broad range of stakeholders came to Gdansk and gave input to the Commission´s work. The message given by many at the seminar was clear: The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region should facilitate the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. Burdens should not become heavier, but easier to carry.

This fall, during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region will be one of our main priorities. And - if we look into the future - at the time of the first Polish Presidency of the EU in 2011, Sweden will be chairing HELCOM.

It is clear, that Sweden and Poland have a possibility as well as a responsibly to take the lead in our work within HELCOM and the EU, in making the Baltic Sea region prosperous with an environmentally healthy sea. It is in this context this seminar takes place.

When the Baltic Sea Action Plan was adopted in 2007, it was the first time the needs of the Baltic Sea environment set the framework for action. We face serious problems with eutrophication and water quality affecting our people and our economy. However the Baltic Sea Action Plan is a way forward, there are solutions to the problems.

The understanding of the challenges is crucial. And so are the ambitions to find possibilities to overcome them. Today, Poland is doing considerable investments to improve waste water treatment. A basis is being laid which will reduce burdens in the future.

In Sweden, we have a tough homework. Especially to take care of nutrient run-off from agriculture, which is a consequence of many decades of over-fertilization.

Sweden has introduced a ban for phosphates in detergents. This was much easier implemented than we thought! Industry has not had any problems in changing production. In our super markets today we find only phosphate-free detergents.

Well, it is not the answer to all problems with phosphates in waste water, but it gives a rapid and effective result for low cost. Germany and Latvia have also taken the decision to limit phosphates in detergents. I urge others to follow as soon as possible. We have close contacts with the EU-Commission to see if a ban on EU-level would be possible.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I am optimistic. Today, we are going in the right direction. Although the HELCOM process to review the load targets set in the BSAP is seriously delayed, it appears that considerable improvements actually have been achieved and the loads to the Baltic Sea have decreased significantly. It is clear that action taken in the Baltic Sea region actually has given positive results. This is good news for the Baltic, for us, and for the prosperity of our region.

The Baltic Sea is of great value to us. Our tourism, fisheries and transport depend on a healthy sea. To be aware of the benefits it brings us and the cost of inaction Sweden and Finland are making a report on the costs of inaction. It will be presented this month.

I welcome new initiatives to combat eutrophication coming forward. One example comes from the municipality of Trelleborg in the southern part of Sweden. Together with Polish local partners in Sopot municipality they have made an application for EU financial support. For a project testing new harvesting techniques in wetlands and of algaes in costal zones to use organic material for biogas production. This includes the establishment of wetlands to stimulate biological diversity and decrease nutrient load from farm land. Work has already started in Trelleborg and the aim is to use the biogas for transportation fuel and heating of houses in urban areas.

Today, for combating climate change emission trading is a corner stone in order to achieve cost-efficient emission reduction. Emission trading could also work for nitrogen and phosphorus. An effective tool that I want to see developed, also for our Seas.

There is also a growing awareness of better coordination between the HELCOM and EU processes. To reach our goals, the EU and HELCOM processes need to go hand in hand and reinforce each other.
As we implement the Marine Strategy Framework Directive ->close coordination is important with the work in HELCOM.
As we develop EU agricultural-and fisheries policies or chemical policy -> we must have the HELCOM targets in mind,
This is also important when using EU financial structural funds nationally as well as in regional programs.

I have high expectations for the Communication on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region later this Spring. We also want the EU- Commission to declare to make the Baltic Sea a pilot project under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. According to the Directive this can be done when a region has taken firm action. Making the Baltic Sea a pilot project would make supportive actions by the EU-Commission possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I look forward to hear more about the important work that is carried out here in Poland today. I welcome ideas on how we can intensify Polish-Swedish cooperation in 2009 and the years to come. Especially when it comes to our common Sea - the Baltic

(Ministry of the Environment of Sweden)