Mr. Chairman, honoured Delegates,
It is for me a special honour and privilege to open the 28th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting here in Stockholm.
Sweden has had quite a long and intense relation with Antarctica. The scientific efforts undertaken by individual Swedish Scientists in relation to the Terra Incognita started already in the 18th Century. Swedish scientific research expeditions were undertaken before the Antarctic Treaty was concluded. The first expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld in 1901-1903, and the scientific results from that expedition were outstanding.
Many of the countries represented here today have had similar and even more dramatic Antarctic experiences in their national history. At the same time I would like to stress that what really matters for our Antarctic experiences of today is international cooperation.
Sweden adhered to the Antarctic Treaty over twenty years ago, in 1984. One of the main reasons for this was the fact that the cooperation within the Antarctic Treaty System had been so promising. The objectives in the treaty - that Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only, and that it shall not become the scene or object of international discord - had been successfully met.
The Continent of Antarctica is a great example of fruitful and expanding international cooperation. A cooperation that really has served and could continue to serve as a model of conflict prevention and peaceful cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty and the Meetings under its umbrella play a key role in this respect. We therefore welcome that the new Antarctic Secretariat in Buenos Aires is operational.
Sweden is a relatively small research nation in Antarctica. Therefore international cooperation with other countries researchers and polar organizations is a main feature of our research program. Sweden's polar research covers both the Arctic and Antarctica. The Swedish Antarctic Research Program has its geographical focus on Dronning Maud Land, where our two research stations Wasa and Svea. are located.
Honoured delegates,
As you all know Antarctica is the first and only demilitarised continent. A continent that has been designated as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science. It has served as a source of inspiration for on sight inspection regimes - something that is also mentioned by the former UN-inspector in Iraq, Hans Blix, in his book "Disarming Iraq". The history of Antarctica therefore brings about a special responsibility for the Antarctic treaty parties to continue the cooperation in a peaceful and successful manner.
For Sweden it is a special privilege to host this Meeting. For the first time all the issues on the agenda have to be solved in collaboration between our Host Country Secretariat and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, headed by Mr. Huber. I hope that when these two weeks are over, you will leave Stockholm with an over all good and positive impression of the Meeting and Sweden. But more importantly, I hope that you will have made concrete progress in some of the key areas before you. I think here especially of a new Annex on Liability arising from environmental emergencies in the Antarctic Treaty Area.
I understand that Delegations are now very close to a final agreement. If this is accomplished it would certainly contribute to prevent detrimental effects arising from environmental emergencies in Antarctic. But there are also other items on the Agenda before you where more progress is needed.
Environmental protection has always been a central theme of the cooperation between the Antarctic Treaty Parties. Our common and challenging task is to manage this extraordinary continent for the benefit of our common environment - and for future generations. The Antarctic Continent is our largest joint nature reserve. But the continent can also give us a unique perspective and knowledge regarding today's global environmental hazards. You all have an important task before you when you now start the first week of the Meeting, with crucial environmental issues on the agenda.
With these words it is my pleasure to declare the 28th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting open, and I wish you every success in your important work.
