The underlying premise was that close cooperation secures political long-term stability and reduces possible tensions.

The Barents cooperation has fostered a new sense of unity and closer contact among the people of the region which is an excellent basis for further progress.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs or representatives of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the Commission of the European Communities participated in the conference, which was also attended by observers from the United States of America, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

The objective of the work of the council is to promote sustainable development in the Barents region, bearing in mind the principles and recommendations set out in the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 of UNCED.

The chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council rotates between Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden.

Ministers of the four Barents countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia) have met regularly since the Kirkenes Declaration in 1993.

Joint Communiqué of the 13th Ministerial Session RUS[16] Declaration RUS[22] The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the BEAC body responsible for coordinating the cooperation activities and organizing the work within BEAC between the meetings at the Foreign Minister level.

The CSO meets on a regular basis 4-5 times per year in the country holding the Chairmanship of the BEAC.

The chairmanship rotates biennially between participating regions in Finland, Norway, the Russian Federation and Sweden.

The Working Groups constitute a cross-border platform for exchange between civil servants and professionals in respective field both on the national and regional level.

It aims to strengthen people-to-people cooperation and empower young people to participate actively.

Scholarships are based on an overall assessment of experience and ambitions, artistic quality in previous work and Barents affiliation.

Subgroup on Hot Spots Exclusion was established under the Working Group on Environment to facilitate the process.

It is possible to provide assistance more effectively, faster and at lower operating cost in the region of long distances, sparsely populated rural communities, limited rescue personnel and equipment, restricted means for transport and hospital resources available in case of larger accidents.

BEATA cooperation integrates the different means of transport including border crossing points, customs co-operation, maintenance and reconstruction as well as new projects to improve infrastructure.