Resolution of the Tromsø conference

Common resolution from the conference in Tromsø the 15th and 16th of June 2013 held by the communist parties of Russia, Finland and Norway. (Norwegian Communist Party (NKP), Communist Party of Finland (SKP) and Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF).

We acknowledge clearly a global need for energy and minerals, but today the utilization of these resources is driven by profiteering. This profiteering does not safeguard the nature, climate and communities in a sustainable way. The only sustainable way is long-term economic and ecologic thinking.

Fossil energy resources like oil and gas pollute and emit greenhouse gases. The use of these energy resources must be reduced. We demand a proper environmental processing of energy (gas) and raw materials (minerals) in local integrated industrial complexes with zero emissions of CO2, The only alternative is to invest in renewable energy solutions (sun-, wind-, water- and wave power).

The corporations that extract minerals must be responsible for managing their business clean. Laws must be made to prevent pollution, and the authorities must guaranty that the regulations are followed up. In addition the authorities must guarantee to the local people their territorial rights.

The stool and the feed from salmon farming accumulate as poison in the fjords. We demand that this farming industry is placed onshore, in closed systems. And this industry should be managed by local owners, under local government control.

According to international laws the fish in the ocean belongs to the people. But the right to fish has through privatization and quota system become a commercial ”product” that benefits the big private corporations, with help from the central authorities.

Based on climate conditions, people who live in our area must be able to utilize the natural conditions for agricultural production. That means for example production of animal feed and vegetables, in addition to use of outfield grazing. Subsistence and local produced food is an important environmental contribution, and ensure food sovereignty. We support the farmers and the fishing population in their demands for fair pay for their products.

Local and regional trade is in general more sustainable due to shorter transport routes. The authorities must stimulate more contact and trade across our regional borders.

The conference underlines the importance of cooperation and openness between our countries. We underline that war do not bring peace, and condemn use of military means. We protest against NATO’s plans to use The Barents region as ”strategic priority” in colonizing and controlling our resources for the benefit of the transnational companies.

Tromsø conference