H.E. Erkki Tuomioja
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Chairman-in-Office of the CBSS

6.6.2003

Esteemed Minister Tuomioja,

The Third Baltic Sea NGO Forum was organised in Turku 8 - 11 May 2003 as a highlight of the Finnish Presidency of the CBSS and under the patronage of Mrs Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland.

The NGO Forum brought together over 400 representatives of NGOs and other civil society organisations from all countries participating in the Basltic Sea cooperation and adjacent areas. Thus, is was the largest and most representative of Baltic Sea NGO Forums so far organised.

The National Focal Points, which were responsible for organising and coordinating of the NGO participation from their respectice countries, prepared, together with Forum Rapporteurs, the Conclusions of the Forum. Participants were invited to send their comments to the host, the Finnish National Organising Committee, within two weeks. The Final Conclusions of the Turku Forum, which take into account these comments, reflect the joint will of the participants. In addition, separete detailed reports from thematic sessions will be prepared later.

On behalf of the Finnish National Organising Committee, we have the great pleasure to submit to you the Final Conclusions of the Third Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Turku. We kindly ask you to bring it widely to the knowledge of the Foreign Ministers and other representatives of the member States.

In particular, we want to draw your attention to the decision to establish a Baltic Sea NGO network, including a Consultative Committee, to promote civil society cooperation. In accordance with the Final Conclusions, we cordially request the CBSS to grant the Baltic Sea NGO network an official consultative status in the CBSS.

We are confident, that closer cooperation between the member States of the CBSS and civil society organisations in the BSR will be beneficial for the overall development of our region.

Looking forward to a continued and enhanced cooperation, we remain

Yours sincerely,