Print 
Email link 
On 14-15 November 2021 in Hamburg, the parliamentarians of the Baltic Sea states met in the Standing Committee of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) to discuss issues in the border areas with Belarus, cooperation with civil society, climate change and other important issues.
The situation in the border areas with Belarus was discussed during the meeting. The Baltic parliamentarians together with a Polish colleague, member of the BSPC Standing Committee Jarosław Wałęsa expressed their deep worries about the escalation of the situation. The Baltic and Polish colleagues said that the attacks from the regime of Alexander Lukashenko are examining border guards and highlighted that the problems in the border areas are the question of stability in the whole region, not only in the countries that are under attack. It was highlighted that the international community should find a civilized way on how to address the situation. The Standing Committee also adopted a statement calling for the international community to address the humanitarian crisis in the borders of Poland and Lithuania with Belarus.
On 12 November 2021 the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly sent the letter on the escalating hybrid attacks of the regime of Alexander Lukashenko targeting the EU to President of the European Parliament David Maria Sassoli, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel. Read more about the letter here.
During the discussions, closer cooperation with civil society and youth was also highlighted. President of the BSPC Pyry Niemi highlighted that more inclusive cooperation is needed to address the current societal challenges. The delegation of the Baltic Assembly agreed that the involvement of civil society is of the essence. Vice President Jānis Vucāns supported the idea of forming a think tank to bring together people with different experiences and ideas on how to achieve change. He added that think tanks are an excellent way how to generate concrete ideas and tasks. Jānis Vucāns also said that it is a good tradition of the BSPC to hold discussions together with youth representatives and incorporate their fresh ideas into the work of the BSPC.
During the meeting of the Standing Committee, the Baltic Assembly awarded former President of the Nordic Council and current President of the BSPC Pyry Niemi with the medal of the Baltic Assembly for persistent promotion of the cooperation between the Baltic and the Nordic countries.
The Baltic Assembly in the meeting of the BSPC Standing Committee was represented by President Andrius Kupčinksas and Vice President Jānis Vucāns.
Read more about the event here
Photos during the meeting
