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Appendix 1: Draft Minutes from the Standing Committee Meeting
MEETING IN TROMSØ 9 am 22 February 2011 Venue: Rica Hotel, room “Nord-Norge” Draft Minutes 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND THE PROPOSED ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS The Chair Hannes Manninen added one subject under item 11 “Any other business”: election of a representative in the Drafting Committee to the Second Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum 22-23 February in Tromsø. Decision: The Committee adopted the SCPAR agenda and the proposed order of agenda items. 2. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE SCPAR MEETING IN OTTAWA 16 NOVEMBER 2010 Decision: The Committee approved the minutes from the SCPAR-meeting in Ottawa 16 November 2010. 3. REPORT FROM THE ARCTIC COUNCIL CHAIRMANSHIP The Senior Arctic Official Chair of the Arctic Council, Mr. Lars Møller, informed the Committee about the current activities of the Arctic Council and the preparations for the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Nuuk 12 May 2011. At the Ministerial meeting Sweden will take over as Chair of the Council. The Ministerial meeting is expected to welcome several studies, including the SWIPA report from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, “Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic”. The Ministers are expected to initiate new work and thus create a mandate for the Swedish chairmanship. An agreement on Search and Rescue in the Arctic is expected to be signed. For the first time in the history of the Council the Ministers will sign a legally binding agreement among the eight Arctic States. The aim of the agreement is to coordinate Search and Rescue operations in the Arctic waters where shipping is on the rise due to the retreating sea ice. The Arctic Council will no longer only be “decision shaping” but increasingly also be “decision making”. The strengthening of the Arctic Council has been important in the Danish Chairmanship. There are applications from China, Italy, the Republic of Korea, the European Commission, and Japan to become observers in the Council. Denmark supports the application of the European Commission for observer status. The observer question is linked to the question of strengthening the Arctic Council itself. Only a strengthened Arctic Council would be able to cope with an ever increasing number of observers and applications for observer status. Elements in strengthening the Council are: ·a permanent secretariat ·a budget ·the nature of decisions and increased use of task forces and ·improved communications and outreach efforts Elements in the discussion are role, size and composition of the Arctic Council Secretariat, where to place it and how to finance it. The aim is to get an agreement at the Nuuk Ministerial on the strengthening of the Arctic Council and solution of the observer question. The Danish Arctic Council Chairmanship considers the Arctic Parliamentarians of crucial importance for the work on Arctic questions – as witnessed by the participation of the Danish Foreign Minister and Chair of the Arctic Council, Ms Lene Espersen, in parliamentary meetings. A shared priority is Human Health in the Arctic. It was one of the main topics of the agenda at the Arctic parliamentary conference in 2008 and one of the main priorities in the Danish Arctic Council Chairmanship Program. A seminar, “Hope and Resilience in Suicide Prevention”, that was held in Greenland 7-8 November 2009. It had broad circumpolar and youth representation with around 100 participants. Last week the first Arctic Health Ministers’ meeting took place. It was not formally an Arctic Council meeting, but arranged by the Danish and Greenlandic Health Ministries on the occasion of the Danish chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It took place in Greenland on 16 February under the headline “Shared Challenges – Different Solutions”. The meeting was concluded by the signing of “The Arctic Health Declaration”. On question from the Committee on the how the Arctic Council is following up the Conference statement on research and education, Mr Möller replied that research and education will be an important part of the Ministerial declaration. As for the proposed meeting of ministers of education and research, that will be for the Swedish Chairmanship to follow-up. Several members underlined the importance of a good and close dialogue with the Arctic Council, and were satisfied with the dialogue with the Danish chairmanship. The representative from the European Parliament pointed to the resolution on the Arctic in the European parliament 20 January 2011, and thanked the Danish chairmanship for the supporting the European Commission application for observer status. The expected agreement on Search and Rescue in the Arctic was pointed to as an important first step in strengthening the Arctic Council. The participation of the permanent participants was underlined as important in the Arctic Council, and the proposal to make a Second Arctic Human Development Report was reiterated by the Committee. Mr Möller replied that the Sustainable Development Working Group in the Arctic Council has initiated several good projects and that the idea of a Second Human Development Report was going to be considered. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 4. ARCTIC STRATEGIES AND STATE POLICIES – AN OVERVIEW AND COMPARATIVE STUDY Dr. Lassi Heininen presented a study where he has looked at the Arctic strategies and policies of the Arctic states and the European Union. He underlined that the study is a draft due to the constant development of the Arctic policies. Dr. Heininen noted the increased geo-economic and geopolitical interest in the Arctic. Initially Mr. Heininen presented an overview over Arctic states’ membership in intergovernmental organisations (EU, NATO, UN etc.) and the ratification of Arctic relevant conventions. He then went on to look at the different Arctic policies. Canada’s latest policy document is “Statement on Canada´s Arctic Foreign Policy“from August 2010. In Canada there is a strong focus on the North as important to the Canadian identety, and emphazis on Arctic research and participation of indigeonus peoples. Denmark‘s Arctic paper is “The Arctic at a Time of Transition: Draft Strategy for Activities in the Arctic Region“ from 2008. Emphasis on (new) industrial activities e.g. fisheries, hydropower, mining, tourism and oil exploration in Greenland. An Arctic strategy is expected to be presented this spring. Finland latest paper is the „Strategy for the Arctic Region“(June 2010) and the emphasis are on economy, multilateral governance, the role of EU and a global prespective. Iceland in the High North“ was published by the Icelandic MFA (September 2009). The Icelandic parliament is currently debating a resolution on the Arctic. Emphasis on international, multilateral and regional cooperation, maritime safety, and international and scientific cooperation. Norway presented ’New Building Blocks in the North’ (March 2009). Emphasis on climate change, resource development and maritime safety. Comprehensive and integrated into long-term Norwegian policy in the North. Russia “The Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic in the Period up to 2020 and Beyond’ by President” (September 2008). Focus on Arctic resources and improving living conditions for local people. The United States’ ’Arctic Region Policy’ from (January 2009)focus on national and homeland security, international cooperation and research. European Union “Report on a Sustainable EU Policy for the High North’ by European Parliament “(January 2011). Focus on population, sustainable use of resources and multilateral governance. On questions from the Committee Dr. Heininen noted that many of the strategies has a too nationalistic approach, and that the global perspective should be more visible f.i. with regards to climate change. Many of the members commended Heininen for taking on the task to do this overview and comparison . Dr. Lunney noted that the change in government in Canada had taken place in 2006, not 2007 as mentioned in the report. Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway are expected to present new Arctic policy documents this spring. Members of the Committee also noted the importance of Arctic cooperation in the Arctic Council. 5. THE DRAFT NORDIC SAAMI CONVENTION – THE VIEW OF THE NORWEGIAN SAMI PARLIAMENT Ms. Suuvi Juntunen from the Finnish Saami parliament presented the work with the draft Nordic Saami Convention. The Saami people lived in the North without boarders in the countries which today are Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The Draft Nordic Saami Convention was presented in 2005 but not with Russia as a part. After the presentation in 2005 nothing happened until 2008 when it was decided to move forward with the convention and go through the draft convention text and compare with the existing national legislation. In the fall of 2010 the minister decided to start the negotiations, and the treaty will need to be ratified in 6 parliaments (3 national and 3 Saami parliaments). The national delegations to the negotiations will be partly appointed by the Saami parliaments and partly by the national governments. In Sweden and Finland the number of Saami representatives will equal the numbers from the governments. The first negotiation meeting will take place in March 2011. A common view on the draft convention is negotiated and agreed upon in Saami Parliamentary Council. The draft convention proposes a change in the role of the Saami Parliamentary Council and the Council started a process to prepare for this change. Difficult questions are expected to be land rights and reindeer herding issues. A member of the Committee compared the process to negotiate the Self rule agreement between Denmark and Greenland which had 7 members appointed by Denmark and 7 appointed by Greenland. The coming negotiations will be followed with great interest. Ms. Juntunen commented that the draft convention had attracted international attention. Finally Ms. Juntunen said she was pleased with the draft presented in 2005 which should be the basis for discussions. The final convention should be close to this draft. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 6. ARCTIC GOVERNANCE IN AN EVOLVING ARCTIC REGION The Secretary General briefly presented the paper prepared by Clifford Lincoln to the Committee and some thoughts about the recommendations in the report. The introduction should be formulated in a different way, more focused on the increasing interest in the Arctic and the role of the Arctic Council. The main receiver of the recommendations agreed upon should be the Arctic Council, not the IPY-conference in 2012, and there needs to be a clearer distinction between the permanent participants and the observers to the Arctic Council. The members of the Committee welcomed the paper from Mr. Lincoln. It was underlined that the outcome of the Ministerial meeting in Nuuk will give valuable guidance to the further discussion in the Committee. The importance of a permanent Arctic Council secretariat was underlined by several members. Others underlined that the Committee needs to take a practical approach to the draft report and maybe underline the long term perspective. The Saami Parliamentary Council will send their comments in writing to the Secretary General. It will also be important to discuss this issue with representatives with the US. Decision: The Committee gave the Chair the authority to report back to Mr. Lincoln and his group on the basis of the discussion at the Tromsø meeting and agreed to arrange a joint meeting in conjunction with the next meeting of SCPAR 9-10 June 2011. 7. ROTATING CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE The Icelandic delegation presented their proposal to have a rotating chairmanship of SCPAR. The proposal is flexible and allows for different possibilities for the members to switch their chairmanship term if that is necessary. The rotation should follow the international chairmanship rotation, with burden sharing and sharing of responsibility. The rotation should follow the alphabetical order of the members of the Committee and last for two years. The Vice-Chair shall be from the member which is to follow as Chair of the Committee. The members of the Committee supported the Icelandic proposal and underlined the need of flexibility within such a rotation system, so that if for example an election comes in a chairmanship turn, it is able to switch. Mr. Torlopov of Russia noted that with the Icelandic proposal the Committee loses the possibility to elect a Chair, but will have to follow the alphabet. Decision: The committee will continue to discuss the Icelandic proposal at the next meeting of SCPAR with the aim to conclude the discussion. 8. FOLLOW-UP OF THE CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS 13-15 SEPTEMBER 2010 Mr. Hannes Manninen reported that 100 000 Euro have been allocated to follow-up with preparatory study for an establishment of an EU Arctic Information Centre in Rovaniemi, Finland. Mr. Morten Høglund noted that the Ministerial meeting in Nuuk will be an important venue, and a meeting with the new Chairmanship at the next meeting of SCPAR in June. The Committee needs to have a good dialogue with the Arctic Council and work with the Council. Decision: The Committee decided to follow-up the Conference statement from Brussels in accordance with the suggestions from the Secretary General. 9. STATUS OF THE WORK OF SCPAR West-Nordic Council The Council’s Annual Theme Conference will be held in the Faroe Islands, June 7th to 9th. The topics will be services for the elderly small communities and regions, and search and rescue capacity in the North-Atlantic. The conference we will analyse the current situation regarding search and rescue capabilities in the Region and scrutinise the new agreement of the governments of the Arctic Council on furthering their Search and Rescue cooperation. Nordic Council The Presidency of the Nordic Council in 2011 is Danish. The three principle priorities for the Presidency are: ·A more effective Nordic Council ·A Nordic voice in connection with European cooperation ·A joint strategy for the Arctic Sweden This spring the Swedish Arctic policy will be presented. Main topics in this policy will be: ·Climate change and environmental issues ·Research ·Economic development in the Arctic ·Indigenous peoples Sweden is the incoming chairmanship of the Arctic Council and the Swedish delegation will arrange a conference in the parliament together with the Arctic Council chairmanship. A Barents parliamentary conference will take place in Luleå 18-20 May and the members of the Committee are welcome to participate. Canada Some of the important areas of discussion related to Canada and the ·Development of infrastructure in the North ·Health issues - especially maternal and child help ·Establishment of a science and research centre in Cambridge bay The increase in shipping is of concern and Canada is glad to see an agreement on Search and Rescue is moving ahead. New charts are important. There will be new Arctic patrol vessels and arctic deepwater ports. Iceland A resolution on the Arctic is currently being debated in the Icelandic parliament and will be passed this spring. The draft resolution focuses on: ·Clean seas and to secure the environment ·Arctic decision making ·The global dimension of the Arctic policy Norway The Norwegian parliament has ratified the delimitation agreement with Russia 8 February 2011. European Parliament The European Parliament passed a resolution on Arctic policies in January 2011. Finland Finland and Russia arranged a joint seminar 9 February in St. Petersburg, with Foreign Minister Stubb and Mr. Chilingarov as main speakers. The objective was to strengthen Finnish – Russian partnership on Arctic cooperation. A new assessment of the neighbouring area cooperation between Russia and Finland was just presented. The main conclusion of this assessment is that the cooperation works very well and that a large number of networks have been established. Bagnell Mr. Bagnell presented briefly his private members bill to make the Arctic a nuclear weapon free zone. 10. NEXT MEETING The next SCPAR meeting will be in Iceland 9-10 June 2011. The first meeting in the fall is proposed to be 27-30 September in Syktyvkard, Komi Republic. Arrival will be 27 September and departure on 30 September. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Høglund was elected as the SCPAR-representative in the drafting committee for the Second Northern Dimension forum. The meeting in Tromsø was the last meeting with Mr. Hannes Manninen as Chair of SCPAR. Mr. Manninen thanked all the members of the Committee for the good cooperation in his chairmanship period and wished them all the best for the future cooperation. Mr. Morten Høglund took over as Chair of SCPAR and thanked Mr. Manninen for his exellent leadership and for all the work he has done for the Arctic.
MEETING IN TROMSØ 22 February 2011 Draft list of participants MEMBERS
PERMANENT PARTICIPANTS
OBSERVERS
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