CLOSED SESSION, 16 March
The 30th meeting of the Executive Board of the Union of the Baltic Cities was held on the 16-17th of March 2001 in the City of Cēsis, Latvia, upon the invitation of Mr Janis Beikmanis, Mayor of Cēsis.
The first part of the meeting (closed session) was attended by the Members of the Executive Board. The second part of the meeting (open session) was open to all Member Cities.
1. Opening of the meeting and adoption of the agenda.
The 30th meeting of the UBC Executive Board was opened by Mr Anders Engström, the President of the Union. Mr Engström greeted all participants and wished them a successful meeting.
Mr Janis Beikmanis, Mayor of Cēsis, welcomed all delegates and wished them the fruitful discussions and a pleasant stay in Cesis.
Mr Engström informed that UBC Vice-President Eugenijus Gentvilas has become a Minister for Economics of Lithuania. Mr Gentvilas sent a letter to the Board explaining that due to this fact he is no longer able to serve as UBC Vice-President. The Board expressed sincere thanks to Mr Gentvilas for his outstanding contribution to the UBC work during last years and wished him a lot of success in his new challenging and responsible post.
2. Election of two persons who, together with the President, will check the minutes.
Ms Edvins Drigins, Deputy Municipal Director, Liepāja and Mr Alfredas Lankauskas, Councillor, Šiauliai, were elected to check the minutes.
3. New Member Cities.
Mr Paweł Żaboklicki, Secretary General, informed the Executive Board about the application for Union membership submitted by the city of Międzyzdroje, Poland.
Decision:
The Board decided to accept the city of Międzyzdroje as a Member of the Union of the Baltic Cities and wished Międzyzdroje a fruitful cooperation with other UBC member cities. The updated list of Member Cities is enclosed.
4. Report from the meeting of the Presidium.
Mr Anders Engström reported from the meeting of the UBC Presidium held in Turku on 5 December 2000, attended by President Anders Engström, Vice-President Eugenijus Gentvilas, Ms Cay Sevon, Liaison Officer and Mr Lasse Hallamurto, Mayor’s Adviser (on behalf of Vice-President Armas Lahoniitty). Presidium discussed inter alia such issues as: Northern Dimension, enlargement process, cooperation with other Baltic organisations, situation in Belarus, General Conference 2001, meeting with the Board of Audit and others.
The Board took note of the report.
5. Statement on cities involvement in the EU enlargement process.
Almost all areas of city activity are influenced by the EU accession. The cities in applicant countries will be forced to change policy, working methods and priorities in many areas. This is a great challenge for the cities. The situation today regarding the involvement of cities in the EU enlargement process is not satisfactory. The discussion is carried out almost entirely between the European Union and the national governments. The cities virtually are not involved in the process.
Mr Engström proposed the Board to issue a statement calling for the cities involvement in the EU enlargement processes and send it to the EU Commissioner on Enlargement, Committee of Regions, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of all Baltic Sea countries and for information to: BSSSC, CPMR BSC, Eurocities, ISPA, Phare, Interreg and to all UBC member cities.
Decision:
The Board accepted the draft statement and decided to spread the final version to mentioned above institutions.
6. VI General Conference in Rostock, 12-13 October 2001.
6.1 Status of preparations.
Ms Petra Hamann, Rostock, introduced the preliminary programme of the conference. First day of the conference (Friday) will be devoted to “Social justice in the new millennium”. The second day (Saturday) of the conference – the General Assembly – is devoted to internal UBC matters such as reports, elections etc.
The organisers succeeded to attract very important speakers for the first day ie. Ms Anna Diamantopoulou, EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Ms Maj-Britt Theorin, Chairperson of the European Parliament’s Committee of Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities, Dr. Martina Bunge, Social Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Dr Harald Ringstorff, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and others.
After the speeches five workshops are planned: 1. Social policy in the light of enlargement, 2. Employment policy in the light of enlargement, 3. Gender equality, 4. Participation of youth, 5. Health, handicapped and chronically ill.
Ms Hamann informed that conference fee will be 200 Euro for western countries and 100 Euro for eastern countries. As usual one participant from each eastern member city will be fully sponsored by UBC ie. accommodation, transportation, meals.
Mr Arno Pöker, Rostock, expressed an opinion that due the tight and long programme of the conference thematic day it is very difficult to hold the meetings of UBC Commissions already on Friday and suggested to hold these meetings on Saturday morning. He stressed that the conference speakers have been already invited and now it would be very unpolite to refuse them.
Mr Engström expressed an opinion that the Commissions could meet during the first day (like at the V GC in Stockholm) so they could adjust their Action Plans during the night, if necessary.
Mr Pöker put forward an idea to include one more speaker representing the city point of view or a speaker from the NGO working with the social matters. The Board supported the idea and authorised Rostock to appoint a speaker.
Ms Stella Fare, Stockholm, proposed to arrange a study tour to see the daily social life in Rostock. The Board considered the idea as interesting but due to the tense conference programme the study tours will not be possible. The Board suggested Rostock to organise optional excursions for the participants on Thursday and on Sunday.
Decision:
The Board asked the City of Rostock and the Secretariat to continue the preparations to the General Conference.
6.2 UBC Social Charter.
Ms Petra Hamann informed that the Social Charter would be the first charter in the UBC history.
Already two years ago Mr Michael Bouteiller, former Vice-President of the UBC, made a draft of the social charter but it was not developed at that time. The draft of the social charter could be ready for the next UBC Executive Board meeting in Malbork in June. The document would be officially adopted at the VI General Conference in Rostock.
Decision:
The Board decided to create a working group led by Rostock to prepare the draft of the UBC Social Charter by 25 May 2001. The Board authorised the city of Rostock, to appoint, together with the Presidium, other members of the group.
6.3 Conference resolution.
Mr Anders Engström stressed that it is very important to prepare a conference resolution that might be presented to other authorities, organisations and institutions. The resolution would deal with such important questions as the Northern Dimension, the EU enlargement, the Interreg III etc.
Decision:
The Board decided to create a working group led by UBC-EU Coordinator to prepare the draft of the GC Resolution by 25 May 2001. The Board authorised Mr Janusson, to appoint, together with the Presidium, other members of the group. A letter concerning the resolution will be sent to the Board members and to the chairmen of the Commissions and Networks.
6.4 Strategy and Statute.
Mr Anders Engström reminded that at the last General Conference in Stockholm, the revised Statute and the new Strategy were adopted. Having in mind above, the President said, that in Rostock we can probably expect only small amendments to the Statute and the Strategy.
Decision:
The Board authorised Mr Paweł Żaboklicki and Ms Ewa Kurjata, Szczecin, to make adjustments in the UBC Strategy and UBC Statute in case there are proposals to do so.
6.5 Elections.
President Engström reminded that the new UBC Presidium will be elected in Rostock.
Mr Engström maintained his decision not to candidate as a President in the forthcoming elections. Mr Armas Lahoniitty declared his readiness to serve as UBC Vice-President in the next period.
The Board agreed that the candidate to the Presidium does not have to be a Mayor but must be an active politician.
Decision:
The Board appointed a working group responsible for preparation of the elections. The group consists of: Mr Anders Engström, Mr Edvins Drigins, Mr Maciej Lisicki and Mr Arno Pöker.
7. UBC 10th Anniversary.
7.1 10th Anniversary booklet.
President Engström put forward an idea to publish a small booklet on the occasion of the 10th UBC anniversary. The booklet would present Union’s achievements in last ten years. The publication would also contain stories written by the persons who were involved in UBC work for many years. Mr Engström offered to look for potential sponsors of the booklet in Sweden and encouraged the Board members to do the same in their countries.
Decision:
The Board decided to publish the booklet on UBC 10th anniversary. The Board asked all member cities to try to arrange sponsors to cover the costs of the booklet.
7.2 Arrangements during the General Conference.
The Board expressed an opinion that main anniversary celebrations should be held during the General Conference in Rostock. The arrangements could include for example: exhibition of photographs, culture events, etc. The President proposed to create a special working group responsible for the anniversary arrangements.
7.3 Working group on UBC 10th Anniversary
Decision:
The Board decided to create a working group on 10th anniversary arrangements, led by the Secretary General Paweł Żaboklicki. The Board authorised Mr Żaboklicki to appoint, together with the Presidium, the other members of the group.
8. Financial matters.
8.1 Financial report from 2000.
Mr Paweł Żaboklicki, Secretary General, submitted UBC financial report for 2000. Mr Żaboklicki underlined that all member cities but one paid their membership fees and the financial position of the Union is secure. The financial report displays: UBC incomes, expenditure, table with membership fees, expenditure of the Commissions, costs of the secretariats, UBC projects with external funding and member cities contributions to the UBC events. The only one city which has not paid the membership fee was the city of Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad explained, that the reason was, the extremely difficult financial situation of the city.
8.2 Adjusted budget for 2001
Subsequently Mr Żaboklicki presented the adjusted version of UBC budget for the year 2001. UBC budget 2000-2001 was adopted by the V General Conference in Stockholm in September 1999.
Decision :
The Board took note of the financial report for 2000 and adopted the adjusted budget for 2001. The Board commissioned the city of Kaliningrad to pay the membership fee for 2000 together with the fee for 2001. The Board decided that due to tense budget for 2001, the Commissions can not use in 2001 the money unused in 2000.
8.3 Re-engagement of the UBC EU-Coordinator.
President Engström informed that UBC has received the donation of 250.000 SEK (27.800 Euro) from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue the financing Mr Juhan Janusson, UBC EU-Coordinator. Further 15.000 Euro UBC shall obtain from SIDA for Mr Janusson’s work within UBC-LVRLAC project. Mr Engström proposed to assign 23.000 Euro from UBC budget to assure Mr Janusson’s employment within the period 1 October 2000 – 31 October 2001.
Decision :
The Board decided to prolong the engagement of Mr Janusson till 31 October 2001 and assigned 23.000 EURO for this purpose.
9. Proposal to create the Commission on IT.
Mr Valentin Makarov submitted the proposal of the city of St.Petersburg to create the UBC Commission on Information Technology. Mr Makarov stressed that the IT is a strategic sector for the whole Baltic Sea region. The IT development in the BSR should foster the development of the whole region. Some countries in the BSR like Finland and Sweden are the world leaders in the IT. The goal of establishing the IT Commission is to build up a virtual network around the Baltic Sea and to foster the experience and information exchange. The Commission could also facilitate contacts between the IT companies (mainly SME) from all Baltic countries.
Mr Aulis Laaksonen, Pori, informed that a “Macropilot” project is carried out in Satakunta region, Finland. The aim of the project is to find new fields for the use of information technology eg. in welfare services. Pori is taking part in the project and supports the creation of UBC Commission on IT.
Mr Mikko Jokinen, Turku, noticed that the development of IT is not the task for the cities. IT mostly concerns the business sector and therefore this question might be of interest of the UBC Commission on Business Cooperation. In the application there is very little about the usage of IT in the work of municipality and its institutions. Mr Jokinen stressed that it is necessary to know more about the initiative before the decision.
Mr Edvins Drigins, Liepāja, supported Mr Jokinen, pointing out that cities do not decide about the IT development – the market decides. Mr Drigins said it is difficult to figure out from the application whether it describes the Commission or the project. He also indicated that the application does not show the benefits for the cities resulting from the creation of such Commission. Mr Drigins invited Mr Makarov to attend the meeting of the Commission on Business Cooperation to be held in Liepāja on 19-22 April 2001, to discuss how to include IT questions in the activities of Business Commission.
Mr Juhan Janusson noticed that the basis for the idea to create the IT Commission was the “Baltic Pallete” project carried out by the cities of Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki, and St.Petersburg.
Mr Arno Pöker suggested that as a starting point, the conference on IT should be arranged. During such a conference, to be held preferably in St.Petersburg, member cities could discuss the need to create the IT Commission and scope of its activities.
Mrs Stella Fare, Stockholm, supported the idea of connecting IT questions with business development activities.
Mr Engström supported the idea to organise a conference in St.Petersburg to discuss the ways of UBC involvement in the IT sector.
Decision:
The Board asked St.Petersburg to organise, in cooperation with the Secretariat, a conference to discuss the ways of UBC involvement in the IT sector. The Board requested member cities interested to participate in the working group on IT, to take a contact with St.Petersburg.
10. Cooperation with Eurocities.
President Engström reminded that the draft agreement of cooperation between UBC and Eurocities was discussed at the last Executive Board meeting in Kolding, but it was not approved. The document was further discussed at the Presidium meeting in Turku. The text of the agreement was changed. The document will be adopted by the UBC General Conference in Rostock in October and two weeks later by the Eurocities General Meeting in Copenhagen.
OPEN SESSION, 17 March
In the beginning of the open session Mr Eugenijus Misiunas, Advisor for Foreign Affairs in the city of Marijampolė, made a presentation introducing his town. The city of Marijampolė was accepted as a UBC member at the last UBC Executive Board meeting in Kolding held in November 2000. The Board thanked Mr Misiunas for the presentation and wished Marijampolė a fruitful and long-lasting cooperation with other UBC member cities.
1. Report from the closed session of the Board.
President Anders Engström summarised questions discussed by the Board during the closed session on the previous day.
2. Report from the meeting of Commissions Chairpersons and report from the meeting Presidium-Commissions.
The meeting of Chairpersons and Coordinators of the Commissions was chaired by Mr Sławomir Szafrański, Chairman of the Commission on Culture.
The participants discussed mostly the issues related to the General Conference.
The conclusions are as follows:
- the Commissions would like to have a space to exhibit materials and posters presenting the Commissions activities;
- the Commissions would prefer to have their meetings at the first day of the Conference, but it is still open question and it depends on the organisers and the Presidium. In case the meetings are held in the morning of the second day, most of the Commissions would like to have a break between the meetings and the reports to the General Assembly, in order to have time to adjust the action plans if necessary;
- the actions plans of the Commissions should be discussed already before the General Conference, during the Commissions annual meeting
Also a question concerning the creation of the new Commission on IT was discussed. The proposal was to discuss this matter in April, at the meeting of the Commission on Business Cooperation in Liepāja, as the IT sector is connected to business.
President Engström informed the Board that during short meeting between the Presidium and the Commissions, the chairpersons informed the Presidium about questions discussed by the Commissions.
3. Statement on cities involvement in the EU enlargement process.
President Engström informed the participants of the open session that the day before the Board decided to issue a statement calling for the cities involvement in the EU enlargement processes and send it to the EU Commissioner on Enlargement, Committee of Regions, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of all Baltic Sea countries and for information to: BSSSC, CPMR BSC, Eurocities, ISPA, Phare, Interreg and to all UBC member cities.
4. Information on ISPA programme.
The Board invited to the meeting Mr Gunter Weiss, Head of European Commission delegation in Latvia. Mr Weiss introduced the new EU programme ISPA – Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession. ISPA is one of the EU’s three financial assistance programmes set up to assist the 10 candidate countries in CEE to prepare for accession. Program supports infrastructure projects in the fields of transport and environment. ISPA’s budget in the period 2000-2006 is 1.040 million Euro. The proposed projects must fit into a national strategy of each candidate country.
The presentation of Mr Weiss was followed by the lively discussion. The Board members asked Mr Weiss a number of questions concerning the ISPA programme.
The Board warmly thanked Mr Weiss for his interesting presentation and for his detailed and competent answers to the questions posed by the Board members.
5. Reports from the Commissions.
Representatives of the UBC Commissions submitted activity reports from the period June 2000 – February 2001.
The report of the Commission on Business Cooperation was prepared by the city of Kolding which was chairing the Commission in 2000. In 2001 the chairmanship was taken over by the city of Liepāja. Mr Edvins Drigins from Liepāja warmly invited all member cities to attend the meeting of the Commission on Business Cooperation to be held in Liepāja on 19-21 April 2001.
The report of the Commission on Culture was presented by Mr Sławomir Szafrański, Szczecin, Chairman of the Commission. Mr Szafrański informed that the next (5th) session of the Commission will be held in Espoo, Finland on 8-10 September 2001 and the theme of this meeting will be the “Artistic Education in Baltic Cities”, which might be of interest also for the Commission on Education.
Mr Szafrański added to his report that recently the Commission included to its action plan the new interesting project called North European Youth Art Circle (NEYAC). Mr Illias Missyris from Vaasa briefly presented the content of the project. NEYAC is a harmonious collaboration between public cultural departments of 10 north European cities (9 Baltic cities) from 10 different countries. The project will, over a three years period, produce 10 international art-workshops involving more than 600 young participants aged 16-20 years old.
Mrs Riitta Hurme, Espoo, Vice-Chairman of the Commission on Culture warmly invited all member cities to attend the next session of the Commission to be held in September in her home city.
The report of the Commission on Environment was presented by Mr Risto Veivo, UBC Environmental Coordinator, Turku. Mr Veivo emphasised that not only the Commission lead city Turku but also other member cities are actively involved in the project generation and management. He also informed that the next meeting of the Commission will be held in Liepāja, right after this Board meeting.
Mr Mikko Jokinen, co-Chairman of the Commission added that the city of Turku is ready to keep the secretariat of the Commission for the next 3-year (2001-2003).
President Engström underlined that the Commission on Environment is the only one that seriously involves women and young people in the activities. He also stressed that the Commission has been very successful to get external resources for the projects financing.
The report of the Commission on Education was presented by Ms Monika Sodermann from Norrtälje. She admitted that the last year was not very effective for the Commission, however the Commission has managed to establish its secretariat in the city of Kärdla, Estonia. The next meeting of the Commission is to be held in Kärdla, on 20-21 April 2001.
Ms Sodermann completed the report with information about the project for students interested in the BSR, carried out by the city of Norrtälje. The project concentrates on culture, environment and history of the BSR. Within the project a Summer Camp is planned in August 2002.
The report of the Commission on Health & Social Affairs was presented by Ms Petra Hamann, Rostock. Ms Hamann informed that the city of Rostock is ready to lead the Commission and keep the secretariat of the Commission in the next period. Ms Hamann added that the next meeting of the Commission will be held in a week in the city of Karlstad, Sweden.
The Commission on Sport was not represented in Cēsis but provided a written report.
The report of the Commission on Tourism was presented by Mr Anders Engström. Mr Engström stressed that the city of Kalmar has succeeded to establish the secretariat of the Commission and the Commission is currently involved in many activities.
The report of the Commission on Transportation was presented by Ms Lisa Sundell, Göteborg, Chairperson of the Commission. She reminded that Goteborg took over the leadership of the Commission only in November last year. Ms Sundell warmly invited all member cities to the meeting of the Commission to be held in Göteborg on 25-26 June 2001.
The report of the Commission on Urban Planning was presented by Ms Inara Marana, member of the Commission’s Steering Committee from Riga. Ms Marana informed that the next seminar of the Commission titled “Waterfronts – development opportunities in cities” will be held in Gdańsk, on 19-21 April 2001.
President Engström informed that the Chairman of the Committee on Spatial Development in the BSR Mr Bemhard Heinrichs, requested UBC to comment on the VASAB 2010 Plus Spatial Development Action Programme. Mr Engström proposed to forward this question to the Commission on Urban Planning.
Decision:
The Board requested and authorised the Commission on Urban Planning to prepare, on behalf of UBC, comments to the VASAB 2010 Plus Spatial Development Action Programme and send them to VASAB Chairman or Secretariat.
The report of the Women’s Network was presented by Ms Hjördis Höglund, Network’s Leader from Sundsvall.
On behalf of the UBC Women’s Network and UBC LA21 Working Group, Ms Höglund proposed the Executive Board a joint proposal to introduce the “3R” method for analysing the Gender Equality aspect in all activities of the Union. UBC has decided in its strategic documents that Gender Equality shall be introduced in all levels and actions of the organisation. The “3R” method would help to evaluate how the Union follows these decisions. “3R” means Representation, Resources and Realia.
Mr Engström proposed that the “3R” questionnaire will be sent to the chairmen of the Commissions and to the Board members. Results of the questionnaire shall be evaluated, if possible, before the General Conference.
Decision:
The Board decided to adopt the “3R” method to analyse the Gender Equality in the UBC activities. Women’s Network shall send the “3R” questionnaire to the Board members and to the Commissions.
6. UBC LA21 Action Program – update.
Mr Risto Veivo, UBC Environmental Coordinator, reminded that the UBC LA21 Action program 2000-2002 was approved by the V UBC General Conference held in Stockholm in 1999. He stressed that the overall implementation of the program has been successful. Mr Veivo presented the list of projects being implemented within the program. Two projects are finalised, seven are on-going and two more shall start this year.
Mr Veivo said that it is necessary to prepare a new action program for 2002-2003 for two reasons. Firstly the implementation of projects of current action program has been successful. Secondly the policy developments in the BSR and on the European level have partly outdated the contents of the current program.
Having in mind above Mr Veivo proposed that a new UBC LA21 Action Program for the years 2002-2003 shall be elaborated.
Decision:
The Board authorised the Commission on Environment Secretariat and the UBC LA21 Working Group to start preparations on the new action program for the period 2002-2003.
6.1 UBC Environmental Award 2001.
Mr Veivo reminded that the Best Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities Award was organised for the first time in 1999. The award ceremony was held during the General Conference in Stockholm. The first winner was the city of Tartu for its Agenda 21 programme. An intention has been to organise the award contest every second year. Mr Veivo proposed to hold the second edition of the contest in connection with the General Conference in Rostock.
Decision:
The Board endorsed the idea of the award and authorised the Commission on Environment to appoint an award committee and implement the proposal.
7. Report from the UBC EU-Coordinator.
7.1 Country meetings on Interreg III B.
Mr Janusson informed the Board that this year he already had three national meetings about the Interreg III B ie. in Tartu (Estonia), Gdańsk (Poland) and Cēsis (Latvia). The next one shall be held in Šiauliai (Lithuania), right after the Board meeting. During these meetings cities from applicant countries discussed project proposals to Interreg III B. Mr Janusson said that Estonian cities were very optimistic to get the funding, Polish cities were rather pessimistic and Latvian cities have not heard too much about the Interreg III B.
7.2 UBC-LVRLAC cooperation – update.
Mr Janusson informed that SIDA has already transferred this year 500.000 SEK for the project activities. In February Ms Hjördis Höglund, Women’s Network and Ms Iwona Śmigerska-Belczak, UBC Secretariat, visited Uganda. Ms Hoglund’s task was to help to create the Women’s Network in LVRLAC. Ms Śmigerska-Belczak transferred the knowledge about the work and tasks of UBC secretariat in order to develop the secretariat of LVRLAC. Also in February Mr Magnus Ryden, Kalmar, visited Uganda, in order to prepare the basis for the communication and internet system to be used by LVRLAC. All costs were covered by SIDA.
Mr Janusson added that the study tour in the BSR for 15 high-level city decision makers from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania is scheduled in April 2001. The representatives of LVRLAC will visit Stockholm, Nacka, Turku, Kalmar, Gdynia and Gdańsk. The study tour will concentrate on environmental protection issues.
It is also planned that Mr Guldbrand Skjönberg, Nacka, will start an environmental pedagogical centre in Uganda. It is impossible to organise it in the same way as in Sweden, but the most important thing is the method of work.
7.3 UBC EU-Coordinators Network.
Mr Janusson announced that the UBC EU-Coordinators Network has a new leader – Ms Charlotte Pedersen from Aalborg. He informed that the Network has recently printed a leaflet in Gdańsk. The Network’s internet homepage is almost ready and soon it will be accessible.
Mr Janusson invited all member cities to the next meeting of the EU-Coordinators Network, that will be held in Kotka, Finland, on 6-7 May 2001. All interested cities are welcome to contact Ms Pedersen or Mr Janusson.
8. Report on the Northern Dimension.
President Engström informed the Board that Mr Jurgen Heimsoeth, chairman of CBSS Committee of Senior Officials, sent a letter to major Baltic organisations asking for the list of concrete projects which would comply with the EU Northern Dimension policy. CBSS would compile the list of proposed projects and would send it to the European Commission.
Following Mr Heimsoeth request a questionnaire was sent to the Commissions and member cities asking for concrete project proposals. The large number of projects was proposed and the list of projects was forwarded to CBSS. After the meeting in Berlin, CBSS presented a summary of the projects they would like to be implemented, but unfortunately none of our projects was mentioned in the proposal. There were only large scale projects from the state level.
In the UBC Action Plan the city of Turku was appointed to be responsible for the Northern Dimension. Vice-President Mr Lahoniitty informed the Board that the Northern Dimension policy is discussed at the very high level. European Commission has not assigned any special resources for the Northern Dimension. We need to find out how the Northern Dimension and the structural funds shall operate together. Mr Lahoniitty has contacted one of the EU specialists in Finland and asked him to make an investigation on this matter. The results will be presented to the Executive Board.
9. Reports from the conferences and meetings attended by Union representatives.
The following delegates submitted reports from the conferences where they represented the Union of the Baltic Cities:
- CBSS CSO Meeting, Stockholm, 13-14 November 2000 (Anders Engström)
- Seminar on Youth Work and Policy, Mozen, 8-10 December 2000 (Juhan Janusson)
- CPMR Conference on EU Enlargement in the BSR, Gdańsk, 14-15 December 2000 (Paweł Żaboklicki)
- CBSS Group on Assistance to Democratic Institutions, Stockholm, 14-15 December 2000 (Anders Engström)
- Meeting of CPMR Intercom Group on Northern Dimension, Stockholm, 12 January 2001 (Risto Veivo)
- Kaliningrad Forum, Kalmar, 2-3 February 2001 (Anders Engstrom)
- Kaliningrad and the BSR – appeal for cooperation, Kaliningrad, 8-10 February 2001 (Anders Engström)
- EUROCITIES EWC Meeting, Stockholm, 21 February 2001 (Juhan Janusson)
- Meeting of LRPP Group, Brussels, 28 February 2001 (Juhan Janusson)
The Board took note of the reports.
10. Baltic Sea Angling Competition.
Mr Paweł Żaboklicki informed about the joint initiative of UBC and Union of Polish Seaside Cities to organise the Baltic Sea Angling Competition to be held in Łeba, Poland, on 1-2 June 2001. The competition is open to the anglers from cities and communes lying around the Baltic Sea. The angling shall take place on the drifting boats. Anglers shall catch cod.
The Board supported the event and encouraged contact persons in all member cities to spread the invitation to the competition to the associations of anglers in each member city.
11. Board’s way of work in the next period.
President Anders Engström expressed an opinion that it is up to the new Executive Board to decide whether to keep the routine that every second Board meeting is open to all member cities.
12. Questions raised at the meeting.
No further questions have been raised.
13. Next Meeting of the Executive Board.
President Engström informed about the invitation of the Mayor of Malbork, Mr Mieczyslaw Roeding, to host the next meeting of the Executive Board.
Decision :
The Board decided to hold its 31st meeting in the City of Malbork, Poland, on 15-17 June 2001.
14. Closing of the Meeting.
Mr Anders Engström expressed his thanks to all participants for the fruitful meeting and to the City of Cesis for its warm hospitality and closed the 30th Meeting of the Executive Board of the Union of the Baltic Cities.
Mr Anders Engström, Chairman
Mr Paweł Żaboklicki, Secretary
Mr Edvins Drigins, Adjuster
Mr Alfredas Lankauskas, Adjuster