BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

management section of the Ministry. The members of the Sub-
Committee represent the Ministry of the Environment, the
National Board of Waters and the Environment, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry, as well as the central
associations for local authorities, industry, agriculture
and forestry, and nature conservation.
The relationship of the Sub-Committee for Technology with
the Ministry of the Environment and with other authorities
and parties dealing with matters related to the
Technological Committee of the Helsinki Commission is
illustrated in appendix 3.
Documentation flow and decision making
The flow of HELCOM TC documentation to and fro the Helsinki
Commission Secretariat is co-ordinated via the water
management section of the Ministry. When action is needed
(as always is the case) the document in question or matter
at issue is taken under consideration by the "POINT" or
"DIFF" experts of the water management section, who in turn
communicate with the other authorities and parties
concerned. At regular intervals, and always when needed,
the Sub-Committee for Technology of the Advisory Board meets
to discuss the general approach and also details in case
various views have been presented. The Sub-Committee gives
its recommendation for a conclusion.
This conclusion, after consideration at the water management
section of the Ministry, and if needed after technical and
linguistic editing, is forwarded from the water management
section to the HELCOM Secretariat and/or to the lead-country
concerned.
In matters of general policy making importance, or in the
preparation of Finland's readiness to adopt a certain HELCOM
Recommendation at the annual Helsinki Commission session,
the drafts in question are sent from the water management
section of the Ministry to all parties concerned for
official comments. The comments are considered by the Sub-
Committee for Technology of the Advisory Board for the
Marine Environment and after that by the Board itself. The
final decision is taken by the Ministry of the Environment
together by the other authorities concerned.
The President of Finland appoints a Delegation for each
annual session of the Helsinki Commission.l In the course
of the session, the Delegation acts in accordance with its
authorization.
The annual cycle of national preparation of HELCOM TC
matters is illustrated in Appendix 4.
1 Decision concerning Finland's participation in HELCOM's
Committees and Working Groups meetings is made by the
Ministry of the Environment after consultation with other
authorities concerned.
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