Meeting of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in Tromsø 29 October 2013. Deadline for media accreditation 23 October

On 29 October 2013, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Mr Børge Brende, will host the 14th session of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) in Tromsø, Norway. The meeting will mark the end of the Norwegian chairmanship of the Council.  

Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Russia and the EU are members of the BEAC. They will all be represented in Tromsø. The first four have confirmed that they will be represented by their foreign ministers. In addition, parliamentarians from the member countries will participate, together with the newly elected President of the Samediggi (Sami parliament) in Norway, Aili Keskitalo. Governors, leaders of county councils and other invited guests will also take part. 

The Barents cooperation was established under the Kirkenes Declaration in 1993, and is the mainstay of regional cooperation in the High North. 

Topics to be discussed at the meeting are the proposed Action Plan on Climate Change, a joint transport plan for the region, closer cooperation on culture, and the establishment of the Barents summer university. 

Preliminary programme

Monday 28 October
19:30 Barents Euro–Arctic Council working dinner. Venue: Rica Panorama, Rica Ishavshotel. Photo opportunity.

Tuesday 29 October
09:00–11:00    Barents Euro–Arctic Council Meeting. Venue: Rica Ishavshotel 
11:40              Press Conference. Venue: Rica Ishavshotel

 

Deadline for accreditation: 23 October. Link to accreditation page.

More information about the meeting: http://www.barents2013.org/

Media contact: Communications adviser Kristin Enstad, telephone: +47 482 68 835, e-mail: ens@mfa.no