Transport and logistics partnership launched at the Northern Dimension Senior Officials' Meeting
The Northern Dimension Senior Officials' Meeting between the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland was held on 21 November 2007 in St Petersburg. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Alexandr Grushko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Also representatives from the northern regional councils and the international financial institutions participated in the meeting. The EU was represented by the Portuguese EU Presidency, the European Commission and interested member states.
The most important outcome of the meeting was the decision to set up a working group to study the possibilities of creating the new ND Partnership on Transport and Logistics. The working group was advised to hold its first meeting before the end of 2007 or early 2008. Its conclusions will be reported to the ND Ministerial Meeting to be held in autumn 2008, with the aim to take a decision on the feasibility of the new partnership.
The meeting discussed also the work of the present ND partnerships, the Environmental Partnership and the Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being, and other possible future cooperation sectors. Russia, the European Commission and Norway said they were planning additional financing to the special fund supporting the Environmental Partnership. (The agreed Chairman's conclusions enclosed.)
The Northern Dimension policy was renewed in 2006 to a common policy between the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland.
The St Petersburg meeting was the first Senior Officials' Meeting to be held during the renewed policy. The new expert-level ND Steering Group has had three meetings since the beginning of 2007.