On Friday, 25 November, during the 30th Session of the Baltic Assembly held in Tallinn, Estonia, the Final Document was adopted stating that the priority for cooperation next year among parliamentarians of the Baltic States will be the enhancement of integration and stability of financial markets of the Baltic and Nordic countries.
BA priorities in 2012 will also be the development of an innovative and competitive economy in the Baltic States, homeland security, as well as Baltic – Nordic cultural integration.
The parliamentarians also defined the priorities for cooperation between the BA and the Baltic Council of Ministers in 2012. Joint measures and projects enhancing economic growth and employment have been defined as one of the priorities for cooperation between the parliaments and governments. The creation of a single digital market and the development of the Baltic energy market have also been identified as priority issues.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the BA, at the end of the Session Baltic parliamentarians adopted the Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Assembly and the perspectives of cooperation. The BA has acted as an effective forum for the Baltic States to exchange views, formulate positions and share best practices among themselves and with their closest partners.
Having recognised new challenges, the BA has started implementing important and coordinated measures in order to strengthen its role as a political body and an innovative inter-parliamentary organisation, as well as to increase its capacity in strategic directions. The BA sets clear mid-term and long-term cooperation priorities at both the parliamentary and governmental level. According to the Statement, the structure of inter-parliamentary organisation has been streamlined, thus making it more relevant, coherent and efficient; furthermore, public awareness of successful joint parliamentary and governmental activities is being increased.
Lithuania will be the presiding country of the BA in 2012. Paulius Saudargas was elected as President of the Baltic Assembly for the coming year.
The 31st Session of the BA will take place on 8 – 9 November 2012 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Baltic Assembly is an inter-parliamentary cooperation organisation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania established for coordinating the Baltic States' cooperation on the parliamentary level, discussing issues and projects of mutual interest and expressing a common position on political, economic, social and cultural issues on the EU and international level. The Baltic Assembly consists of national delegations – 12 to 20 members from each country’s parliament.
Saeima Press Service