VASAB Baltic Sea Region Ministerial Cooperation

1. VASABBaltic Sea RegionMinisterial Cooperation IX FORUM “Strategic Planning in the Regions and Cities of Russia” St. Petersburg 18-19 October 2010 Arve Skjerpen VASAB CSPD Chairman

2. VASAB A cooperation of 11 ministersof the Baltic Sea Region responsible for spatial planning and development

3. VASAB the organisation: intergovernmental network founded in 1992 to promote cooperation on spatial planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region main mission: to prepare policy options for the territorial development of the Region and to provide a forum for exchange of know-how on spatial planning and development between the Baltic Sea countries

4. VASAB • The highest decision making body of VASAB is the Ministerial Conference • Since 1994 ministers are supported by Committee on Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region (CSD/BSR) and permanent secretariat • Since 2009 Committee on Spatial Planning and Development • CSPD Chairmanship rotation similar to CBSS • Norwegian chairmanship July 2010 – June 2011 • October 2010 CSPD decision on VASAB closer connection to the CBSS umbrella

5. Key Milestones • Tallinn 1994 • Vision • 4 outline strategies • Tentative Action Plan • Paving the way to BSR integration, cohesion, sustainable development Gdańsk 2005 1. Connecting Potentials 2. VASAB input to the EU Cohesion Policy 3. Initiation of the Long Term Perspective Vilnius 2010 1. Long -Term Perspective 2. Policy Guidelines and Specific Actionsfor 3 prioritized issues 3. VASAB input to Maritime Spatial Planning Stockholm 1996 1. Summing up of the pilot projects 2. VASAB input to IR2C and B21 3. ICZM – common recommendations for the Region Wismar 2001 1. Action Programme(incl. definition of projects) 2. Key themes requiring common efforts 3. VASAB input to IR3B

6. The Vision and Strategies Tallinn 1994 I Pearls Urban network of international importance II Strings Effective and sustainable links between cities III Patches Areas supporting dynamism and quality of life IV System Comprehensive spatial planning in function

7. 1. Co-operation of urban regions on key issues of sustainable development 2. Strategic spatialdevelopment zones important for transnational integration within the BSR 3. Transnational transport links important for cross-BSR and cross-Europe integration 4. Diversification and strengthening of rural areas 5. Development of transnational green networks incl. cultural landscapes 6. Integrated development of coastal zonesand islands VASAB 2010 PLUS 6 KeyThemes Wismar 2001

9. VASAB ACHIEVEMENTS 15 YEARS OF AFTER TALLINN Defined common vision and principles for sustainable spatial development in the BSR Inspired transnational spatial planning policy documents within the framework of CEMAT/Guiding Principles for Sustainable Spatial Development of the European Continent/ and EU /European Spatial Development Perspective/ Provided forum for discussions on the spatial policy issues within the BSR Improved basic knowledge onspatial development processesandchallengesin the BSR Generated transnational cooperation projects Supported partnership between EU and non-EU countries Contributed to the INTERREG IIC and INTERREG IIIB operationalprogrammes for the BSR and to overcomingincompatibilitiesamong the INTERREG, Phare and Tacis programmes

10. The VASAB 2010 process served as an eye-opener for Europe It demonstrated : - transnational political interest in shaping common territorial strategies for a macro-region – the Baltic Sea Region - thehigh spirit of transnational cooperation between stakeholders representing different sectors, regions and cities, enforcing the competitive potential of the region This drive stimulated the decision at European level to enlarge the EC INTERREG Programme with a new strand for transnational cooperation, leading to pan-European coverage of transnational areas of cooperation Peter Mehlbye, Director of the ESPON Coordination Unit Danish official in the VASAB process 1992-1997

11. Substance of the LTP Vilnius 2009 Rationale and focus of the LTP 1.Trends and conditions for territorial development 2. Territorial cohesion perspective of the Baltic Sea Region 2030 3.Policy guidelines and specific actions to achieve the territorial cohesion perspective • Urban networking and urban-rural • relations9 actions • Accessibility issues9 actions • Sea space planning and • management 3 actions Appendix: Synthesis document (summary of trends and challenges resulting from East West Window project analyses)

12. The 2030 Perspective In the year 2030 the Baltic Sea Region is a well integrated and coherent macro region, with overcome socio‐economic development divides between its individual parts and with the global challenges turned into assets It is regarded a model for successful implementation of the territorial cohesion policy and effective cooperation between European Union countries and the neighbouring countries for the development of a transnational area It features a well balanced setup of metropolitan centres, which act as global and BSR gateways, and small and medium size cities and towns, which secure a high life quality to residents in both urban and rural areas It accounts for fast, reliable and environmentally efficient technologies of transport, information and communication that link the territories along and across the Baltic Sea, making the community of the Baltic Sea Region well connected and highly accessible in the contacts both internally and with the outside world It has an integrated energy production and supply system with well diversified sources of energy, including renewable energies It is a veritable European sea macro region, which demonstrates an integrated land and sea space planning and management, The Baltic Sea is acknowledged as a common asset and a development resource of all the countries, and the maritime spatial planning principles alleviate potential sea use conflicts for the present and future generations

13. 2030 : Territorial development perspective

14. Vilnius Declaration 2009 • Promoting urban networking and urban-rural co-operation • Pan-Baltic Conference to counteract the impact from the demographic trends and labour market development on the urban-rural polarization and social cohesion (2011/2012) • - VASAB Expert and Stakeholder Meeting on Demographic Trends and Labour Market Development, Kaunas, 8 June 2010 • - VASAB Expert Workshop "Urban-Rural Partnerships in the Baltic Sea Region“, Minsk, 21 September 2010 Improving internal and external accessibility - Dialogue with the EC, relevant national ministries and stakeholders towards improving external and internal accessibility Enhancing maritime spatial planning and management - - -Joint, co-chaired VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Working Group (2010) - Pan-Baltic Conference to develop a common approach for the Baltic Sea MSP (2012)

15. VASAB 2010 VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC - Periodical Ministerial Conferences - Recognition by the Council of the Baltic Sea States - Senior Officials Committee – Committee on Spatial Planning and Development in the Baltic Sea Region - Rotation of the Chairmanship on yearly basis - Close cooperation with the European Commission VASAB is implementing horizontal action of the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy POLITICAL ANCHORAGE

16. VASAB 2010 VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC Role of VASABamong the BSR countries • Forum for exchanging of experience between key spatial planners in the BSR on professional issues (methodology development) • Forum for harmonisation of spatial development policies and spatial plans in the BSR (recommendations of transnational policy measures) • Common Baltic voice on spatial issues • Forum promoting strategic projects, monitoring their results and disseminating the most strategic ones

17. www.vasab.org VASAB Secretariat in Riga Elizabetes str.19, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia Tel: +371 67350630, Fax: +371 67350626 E-mail: info@vasab.org