Press release

AFR The Prime Minister to Baltic Sea States Summit and Nordic Prime Ministers meeting in Helsinki

07.06.02

On 10th June, 2002, the Heads of Government of the Baltic Sea States will meet in St. Petersburg for their fourth Summit.

The day after, the three Prime Ministers from the Nordic EU member states will meet in Helsinki to confer ahead of the meeting of the European Council in Seville.

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen states:

'The St. Petersburg Summit is taking place a few months after the tenth anniversary of the Council of the Baltic Sea States earlier this year. Since the Heads of Government of the region last met in Kolding in April 2000, CBSS cooperation has developed in a number of areas.

I look forward to meeting President Putin, Prime Minister Kasjanov and all the other colleagues in the beautiful city on the shores of our common Sea.

During the meeting, I will address the enlargement of the EU and its positive consequences for the whole of the Baltic Sea region, including Russia. I will also present a report from the special Task Force on Organized Crime chaired by Denmark. A message to the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg will be adopted by the St. Petersburg Summit.

The day after, I will meet with my Finnish and Swedish colleagues in Helsinki for Nordic coordination ahead of the Seville European Council. In this context too, the Johannesburg Summit will be discussed. I will give an outline of Danish Presidency priorities.'

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The Baltic Sea States Summit takes place at Hotel Pribaltiyskaya, 14, Korablestroiteley St., 199226, St. Petersborg.

There will be a press meeting with Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at 18.00 at Hotel Pribaltiyskaya (information on press room when available: Stine Mariendal: 40 80 36 66).

There will be a joint press meeting with the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail M. Kasjanov and the Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen at 18.15, Hotel Pribaltiyskaya, Petrodvorets, first floor.

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The Nordic Prime Ministers meeting takes place at Statsrådets Festvåning (Smolna), Södra Esplanaden 6, Helsingfors.

There will be a joint press meeting at 11.15, Statsrådets Festvåning (Smolna), Blåa Salongen.

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Further information: Jesper Fersløv Andersen, (+45) 33 92 22 35.