print version
email this link

Latvia's Presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers

Priorities in 2007

Foreign Affairs

Co-operation within the framework of the EU Neighbourhood Policy

Energy

1. Finalising of the Common Baltic Energy Strategy
2. Ensuring further development of the construction of a new nuclear power plant
3. Co-operation in the sphere of energy supply security
4. Co-operation and exchange of information on topical EU issues

Home Affairs

1. Co-operation in the process of accession to the Schengen area
2. Combating cross-border organised crime and other offences
3. Preventing and combating illegal migration
4. Development of Joint Baltic States Team of Rapid Response to Emergencies

Defence and security

1. Political control of trilateral defence projects:
• Harmonization of Long-term Development Priorities
• Exploration of joint defence procurement possibilities
• Development of Land Forces co-operation
2. Co-operation in the sphere of Air Policing
3. Combating international terrorism and sources of political support for this

Environment

1. Protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea:
• Co-operation in elaborating the EU Marine Environment Strategy and Directive
• Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive
2. Co-operation in the sphere of climate change and emission trading:
• Implementation of requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol  
• Implementation of emission trading schemes
3. Support policy of renewable energy resources
4. Co-operation and exchange of information within the framework of the EU
   

Transport and communications

1. Co-operation in the sphere of the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica projects
• Exchange of information about the development of Via Baltica
• Reviewing the results of the Feasibility Study on the Rail Baltica project and agreement on the following actions
2. Co-operation in the field of road traffic safety
• Establishing a road traffic safety expert group and exchange of information
• Elaborating guidelines for a common road traffic safety campaign
3. Co-operation within the framework of the EU