EU Enlargement and the Protection of the Baltic Marine Environment

1st of May 2004 four of HELCOM's Contracting Parties - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland - will officially join the European Union. What does EU enlargement mean for the Baltic Sea?

"The EU enlargement on the 1st of May 2004 is a major development for the whole Baltic region that will certainly have many far-reaching implications – not only concerning the protection of the marine environment.

Environmental standards in the new EU member countries have already been harmonized with those of EU during the accession process. These standards will further improve as EU funding becomes available for major environmental projects. EU enlargement also means that the same strict environmental requirements will apply to a much larger proportion of the Baltic Sea’s catchment area than before. This will pave the way for HELCOM to concentrate more on specific issues affecting the Baltic Sea environment."

After 1st of May Russia will be the only non-EU country in HELCOM. Will this affect the cooperation with Russia?

"HELCOM is an outstanding example of good co-operation over three decades. Consensus based decisions are implemented through national legislation, also in Russia. Of course, the new political situation requires new approaches, and within HELCOM plans for the future have been made. An outline for the “Future Role of HELCOM and its Organizational Structure” was finalized and approved in March 2004. Focusing on priority areas and keeping in mind the specific needs of the Baltic, we are well prepared for future co-operation involving all States bordering on the Baltic Sea, including Russia as an equal partner."

What challenges are related to the EU enlargement?

"The new EU Member States are expected to experience considerable economic growth in the coming years. Although everyone understands the importance of economic development to the welfare of people living around the Baltic Sea, we must ensure that these increased economic activities are sustainable, and do not lead to increased pressure on the environment."

How do you see the role of HELCOM in the new political situation?

"The environmental problems of the Baltic Sea will not magically disappear after the EU enlargement, even though many environmental issues will be beneficially addressed at EU level. It is clear that still there is a need for HELCOM, especially where tailor-made regional solutions to specific threats are necessary, or when the unique needs of the Baltic have to be brought to the attention of other international organisations. We should not forget that EU covers a large geographical area with a very wide range of different environmental conditions and problems. The Baltic Sea countries need to maintain well co-ordinated positions to ensure that decisions in EU and other international fora are made according to the interests of the Baltic Sea. With its vast wealth of knowledge and experience, HELCOM will continue to take an active part in such processes.

EU policies and legislation still do not cover the whole Baltic Sea catchment area, therefore further measures are urgently needed to combat pollution also in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. With Russia as a Contracting Party and a well functioning network of contacts and joint ongoing projects in Belarus and Ukraine HELCOM is ideally placed to carry on this work."