Liberal Democrat Member of the European
Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber
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Diana Wallis Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber |
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| Speech given by Diana Wallis MEP at the Seminar: 'The High North, the EU-Northern Dimension and the Arctic Window - Challenges and Policy Options' 29 April 2003 30/04/2003 |
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I would like to share some thoughts with you as a Parliamentarian about the nature of the Northern Dimension on the eve of the historic enlargement of the European Union.
The Northern Dimension has developed since the mid nineties, reflecting the changed geography of the EU which, following the accession of Finland and Sweden, has given the EU a border with Russia. It has become an integral and accepted part of the EU's external and crossborder policy in the region. But just as that original enlargement helped to provide the initial impetus, the enlargement, of which stand on the threshold, will have vast consequences for the northern region. Up until now the Northern Dimension has been a fairly unique structure, reflecting the needs of a particular region of the Union. Needs arising from both the physical and geographical nature of the region and its political history and close proximity to Russia. It is fair to say that forthcoming enlargement will mean a real step change in the Northern Dimension programme though. This is in part due to the fact that several countries to whom the Northern Dimension was originally aimed at will become members of the EU in their own right, not least the Baltic States and Poland. It will also mean that the Northern Dimension programme will have to compete with other existing programmes, such as Euro-Med, for resources for which strong arguments will be made. In addition, new member states such as Malta and Cyprus, may well argue that, given their geographical and cultural position as bridges to North Africa and the Near East respectively, the EU could sensibly build new initiatives in those regions too. There will be pressure from the Balkan countries too many of whom, such as Croatia, have already indicated their interest in joining the EU in the future. The EU's other near neighbours, Russia and the Ukraine, will have differing relationships in the short to medium term, some of which may overlap the Northern Dimension programme but much that will not. And even within the countries broadly under the headings of the Arctic or 'High North' there are differing relationships: Russia I've mentioned, Norway and Iceland have a long relationship with the EU and might over time become members; and of course there are the USA and Canada. Given the asymmetrical nature of the Northern Dimension and its partners it's fair to say that this is a real exercise in governance and cross border co-operation. To some extent the changed nature and the need to cooperate at different levels is acknowledged in the guidelines for the New Action Plan. In this respect I should pay tribute to the Danes for their initiative in giving momentum to the process and for the Ministerial meeting in Illuset and the wide consultation that has continued thereafter. Indeed I hope some of the more detailed discussions from today's programme will help feedback further. Let me underline and emphasise one thing, the issues - which bear the tag 'regional issues'- born of climate and history in any one part of Europe affect us all, indeed affects all our citizens. That is why I as an MEP from the north of England find it important to take an interest in the Northern Dimension. Nothing could be of more future importance to all our citizens than the health of the Arctic environment - we ignore it at our peril. We are all aware of the dramatic affect of pollutants and climate change. But it is not only about environmental matters, it is also about social solidarity in Europe and indeed beyond - we know always that the success of the EU has been built on trade and prosperity and at the same time, through regional policy, addressing social imbalances that the market does not always recognise. Environmental issues, regional policy, infrastructure, health and education - these are all matters that the European Parliament deals with - that elected representatives deal with. That is why I believe it is so important that Parliament should have a clear voice in the Northern Dimension process. To this end the Parliamentary delegation of which I am vice President Switzerland Iceland Norway (JOKE!) and which has a keen interest in the Northern Dimension programme felt it important to raise the matter for discussion and debate. So through the rather odd structure of a delegation of the foreign affairs committee and with the help of the President of the Parliament we got onto the plenary agenda, unusually and I would say uniquely, a resolution on the Northern Dimension. The text reflects the importance of the issues: nuclear safety and the environment matters that you are going to discuss later but it also reflects the changing nature of the Northern Dimension post-enlargement. The European Union can act as an umbrella providing a legal framework backed by democratically elected voices in which Norway and other states can grapple matters on an international stage. Particularly topical at the moment over environmental activity such as with the UK over discharges from Sellafield. Again as a further example the Small Arms initiative is a long established campaign in Norway with many high level backers. How much better would that be debated and actioned within the EU? Ministerial meetings and contacts cannot always achieve the desired outcomes. I have had the privilege to represent the European Parliament at three ministerial meetings dealing with the Northern Dimension. I have sometimes mused that I am one of the few participants who can say that I have attended all three and perhaps therefore have a clearer view of the evolution. But I also have a growing sense that whilst the ministerial level meetings lend weight to the importance of the Northern Dimension this is not really the right forum. The Northern Dimension should not remain a matter of high foreign policy. It is about real issues affecting the daily lives of our citizens. It therefore cries out for treatment and involvement of elected representatives at a more immediate level. It is more regional policy than foreign policy. But it also affects our neighbours and we have to find working methods. As an illustration of this it is perhaps striking that today the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, will welcome the Presidents of the Saami Parliaments and the President of the Greenland Parliament as a symbol of the need to involve all people in our policies and governance. This was one of the clear underlying themes of our parliamentary resolution. I would love to think that one day I will discuss the Northern Dimension in the EP with Norwegian and Icelandic MEPs, although even I know that not even in my life time will I sit down to discuss that topic with Russian MEPs although... Therefore, we have to find appropriate and practical ways of working in this area. It is a challenge of governance for the coming years - I firmly believe that the enlarged union must play a leading role, through both the Commission and most importantly to me, through the Parliament. (Diana Wallis is author of the book 'Forgotten Enlargement: Future EU Relations with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland' published by the Centre for Reform - www.cfr.org.uk) |
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