Yorkshire MEP at top table EU meeting

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Apr 2001

Lib Dem Euro-MP Diana Wallis represented the European Parliament at a Foreign Ministers Council meeting this week and called on them to include Europe's citizens in moves to increase cooperation in the Northern region of the continent.

Diana Wallis, addressing the Second Foreign Ministers' Conference on The Northern Dimension in Luxembourg, said:

"This conference adds a new impetus to the Northern Dimension. I would support the Conference's views that work should continue on the projects already underway. However I wish to raise two concerns: coordination and finance.

"Regarding coordination, apart from the EU there are many countries and regional groupings active in the northern area both in the Arctic and the Baltic. The fear is that there is overlapping and duplication. There is a clear need to coordinate and clarify activities. This is an area of the globe which could and should be a template for international cooperation.

"In terms of finance, existing EU programmes are designed with other policy aims in mind. Does not the Northern Dimension deserve a heading or criteria of its own to secure financing? The rules and procedures need to be simplified and transparent, but particularly adapted to the problems of the whole region."

The European Union's policy on the Northern Dimension was launched in December 1999 and has succeeded in fostering regional cooperation beyond the borders of the European Union. European Commission suggestions of prioritising the policy areas of the Northern Dimension were under discussion in Luxembourg. It was also suggested that the Northern Dimension be reviewed annually, involving partner organisations across the region.

Diana Wallis MEP was keen for citizens of Europe to be represented in any review. She said:

"We must seek democratic legitimacy for the Northern Dimension, so I am happy to say 'yes' to an annual review and 'yes' to the proposed forum but I am concerned that details of the forum mention business and NGOs but not our citizens.

"The European Parliament is a willing partner in pursuing and championing the Northern Dimension as elected representatives of Europe's citizens and let's together turn aspirations into actions and actions into achievements."

• As well as Foreign Ministers from EU Member States (including UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook), the meeting included representatives from the Russian Federation and Chris Patten, the European Commissioner responsible for the Northern Dimension

• For more information about The Northern Dimension visit the website: www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/north_dim