Press Release

Unofficial translation

No 75/97
22 May 1997

The Nordic Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Board the Norwegian Coastal Steamer MS Kong Harald 21 - 22 May 1997. Communiqué

The foreign ministers expressed their support for the Baltic states' desire to be integrated into European structures and underlined the importance of the Baltic Sea Region for security in Europe. The Nordic countries find that the political and economic reforms in the Baltic states represent a good basis for these countries' full participation in European cooperation. The ministers expressed the wish to continue and deepen the foreign policy cooperation between the Nordic and the Baltic countries through regular meetings on all levels. The Nordic/Baltic meeting which will take place on 3 - 4 September in Bergen will be another opportunity to further discuss the development of Nordic-Baltic relations based on shared values and European affiliation.

The ministers emphasised how important it is that the EU countries succeed during the final phase of the Inter-Governmental Conference in carrying out the necessary internal reforms so that the enlargement process can be initiated, as recommended in the conclusions from the Madrid summit. It was agreed that the EU enlargement negotiations should start at the same time for all the associated applicant countries. This will be an important contribution by the EU to increased stability and security in Europe.

The foreign ministers emphasised that the solutions reached by the EU countries at the IGC will influence the ability of all the Nordic countries to meet those challenges in today's Europe requiring joint efforts, for example with regard to employment and the environment. They underlined the usefulness of Nordic cooperation in connection with EEA and EU issues in general and the IGC in particular. It was agreed to strengthen the "early warning system" established for relevant EEA issues, so that the Nordic countries can identify at an early stage EU and EEA issues that may be politically controversial.

The ministers emphasised that in a deeper and more comprehensive cooperation between the EU countries provision must be made for cooperation with other European countries. They expressed their agreement concerning the need to increase the European capacity for crisis management and conflict prevention.

The negotiations on the Nordic countries' affiliation with the Schengen cooperation show the strength of Nordic cooperation. In the event of changes in the formal relations between the Schengen cooperation and the EU, the Nordic passport union must continue to be safeguarded. Norway and Iceland must be ensured the same rights and opportunities for participation as they have under the present cooperation agreement.

The ministers emphasised that the process leading up to and the follow-up of the NATO summit in Madrid must help to enhance security for all the countries of Europe. Satisfactorily close contact and cooperation with the Alliance must be ensured for all European states. A substantially enhanced Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council will play a central role in this connection. The enlargement process must continue after the Madrid summit.

The ministers emphasised that European stability must be ensured through partnership with Russia, and welcome the signing of the cooperation agreement between NATO and Russia in Paris 27 May. This agreement, which takes account of the security policy interests of all the European countries, will help to strengthen joint efforts to enhance European security.

The ministers noted with satisfaction the increasing international attention being paid to the cooperation in the Baltic Sea and Barents Regions and the Arctic, and emphasised that the current preparations for the establishment of an Arctic Council should be completed as soon as possible. They noted the mutually beneficial effects of the exchange of views and sharing of experience by the regional structures. The ministers expressed their intention of continuing their efforts to involve the EU and other partners more closely in cooperation in these areas.

The ministers expressed great satisfaction with and support to the Danish chairmanship of the OSCE. The work in the OSCE on a security model for the 21st century will in the opinion of the ministers contribute to greater security and a strengthening of cooperation in Europe. The ministers were prepared to continue to support to the integration of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia and Latvia and pointed at the important contribution made by the OSCE in this regard. The ministers emphasised the need for a coordinated Nordic effort in this area. They expressed their support for Finland's efforts to facilitate bilateral negotiations between Estonia and Russia.

The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the substantial contribution by the OSCE to stability and the development of democracy in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The ministers expressed their support for the OSCE's offer to help in the democratisation process in Belarus. The holding of democratic elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Albania is an important condition for stable development in the Balkans. The ministers emphasised the importance of making sure that the run-up to the elections and the elections themselves are carried out in a way that promotes confidence. They expressed their full support for the efforts of the OSCE chairman's Personal Representative, Ms. Susanna Agnelli, to secure the financing of the municipal elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ministers emphasised that following the recent local elections in Croatia, the Croatian authorities must take responsibility for implementing the election results and for ensuring that Croatian authority is exercised in keeping with the promises that have been made. The ministers expressed their support for the efforts of the Danish chairmanship to expand the OSCE presence in Eastern Slavonia since UNTAES.

The ministers expressed their satisfaction that the cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe, and between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, has been intensified under the Finnish chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Nordic countries agree that the Council of Europe's second summit in Strasbourg on 10 and 11 October will provide an opportunity to evaluate the situation throughout Europe with regard to democratisation, the member states' compliance with their obligations and the follow-up to the Final Declaration from the summit in Vienna in 1993. The ministers noted with interest the Finnish proposal for the establishment of the post of Human Rights Commissioner in the Council of Europe.

The ministers expressed grave concern at the state of the peace process in the Middle East. They criticised the Israeli development plans for the Palestinian hill Jabal Abu Ghneim in the occupied area near Jerusalem, and called on the Israeli Government to reverse or freeze the development plans here and for all other new settlements on occupied territory. At the same time they deplored the use of violence and terror by both sides and called on the Palestinian authorities to do their utmost to combat terrorism.

The ministers expressed their strong concern with Turkey's military intervention in Northern Iraq. It is unacceptable that a country violates an internationally recognised border by military force. The ministers acknowledged Turkey's right to fight terrorism, but underlined that this must be done by means which are compatible with international law. The ministers urged Turkey to withdraw its forces from Northern Iraq as soon as possible, to avoid exposing civilian lives to danger and to respect human rights. The challenges represented by the Kurdish question in the south-east must be solved by political means by all parties involved. The ministers expressed their continued concern over the human rights situation in Turkey, but noted that certain legislative amendments are steps in the right direction. They pointed out that it is important that Turkey follows up in practice, and that the promised measures to improve the human rights situation in the country are implemented as soon as possible. The ministers called attention to the importance of maintaining a dialogue with Turkey in order to keep the country inside the European cooperation structures.

The ministers strongly criticised Iran's basic lack of respect for recognised principles of international law as demonstrated by the recent Mykonos judgement. They also expressed their concern about the human rights situation in Iran and reiterated their appeal for release of the imprisoned writer Faraj Sarkuhi and respect for the Baháís as a religious minority. The ministers called on the international community to intensify its efforts to influence the Iranian regime to respect the rules of inter-governmental relations and fundamental human rights for its population.

The Nordic countries emphasised the difficulties facing the transitional government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, former Zaire. In order to create lasting stability and reconciliation in the country, the ministers urged the new government to complete the democratisation process, respect human rights and promote economic and social development. The ministers urged the new government to contribute to a solution of the refugee problems and underlined the importance of allowing the international community access to the refugees.

The ministers supported the reform initiatives taken by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which are in accordance with the Nordic proposals for UN reform. The forthcoming work should focus on an equitable distribution of burdens between the donors and adequate, stable and sufficient funding of UN activities in the field of development cooperation. The foreign ministers looked forward to discussing this with Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his visit to the Nordic countries.

Tromsø, 22 May 1997