Baltic Sea Region: a new model for regional cooperation

An ecologically unique sea in a sorry state

The Baltic Sea is a small sea on a global scale, but as one of the world's largest bodies of brackish water, it is ecologically unique. Due to its special geographical, climate and oceanographic characteristics, the Baltic Sea is highly sensitive to the environmental impact of human activities in its sea area and in its catchment area.

The list of the environmental risks threatening the Baltic Sea is long and grave. Often quoted as the most polluted sea of the world, the Baltic Sea is indeed in a sorry state. Its state is constantly weakened by a number of threats coming from all kinds of different sources and activities.

An increasing flow of nutrients that harm the marine environment, increased marine traffic (the Baltic Sea has one of the busiest shipping routes in the world) and loss of biodiversity are just a few of the problems the Baltic Sea is facing each and every day.

Harmful substances, oil and chemical spills, increased risk of a potentially large-scale oil accident, introduction of alien species, lack of spatial planning and risks involved in the building of the new Nord Stream gas line are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Baltic Sea Region

The EU Baltic Sea Region counts 85 million inhabitants - 17 percent of the total EU population - and eight countries (Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland) that share common features and challenges. There is a clear need to join forces and work in cooperation to tackle these challenges. Against this background, the EU needs a strategy to increase the levels of environmental sustainability, prosperity, accessibility and safety and security in the Baltic Sea Region.

EUSBSR: The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. Prepared by the European Parliament and the European Commission, it contributes to more intensive cooperation between the Baltic countries and shapes the region into a regional cooperation model for the whole of the EU.

The Commission officially launched the Strategy and its Action Plan on 10 June 2009. The Strategy was adopted by the European Council on the 26 October 2009. The implementation of the strategy is financed from different EU funds in the area, including the Baltic Sea Region Programme.

The Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region aims to increase the impact of EU funds in achieving a clean Baltic Sea and an economically strong and prosperous Baltic Sea region. To achieve these objectives, the Strategy involves coordination of actions by Member States, the European Commission, pan-Baltic organizations, financing institutions and non-governmental organizations.

The EU is trying to step up the impact of the Strategy overall.

Three key objectives

The Strategy is divided into three objectives, which represent the key challenges facing the region: saving the sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity. Each objective relates to a wide range of policies and has an impact on the other objectives.

To meet the objectives, a number of priority areas for macro-regional cooperation that address the key challenges and opportunities in the Region have been defined. Examples include promoting clean shipping and supporting entrepreneurship and SME growth. The priority areas are implemented by regional stakeholders through detailed actions and Flagship Projects.

The strategy also includes horizontal actions which function in parallel with the priority areas and focus on more specific challenges in order to respond to regional needs. Examples include expanding broadband connections in rural areas. The horizontal actions complement the objectives and priority areas.

Learning the lessons of past mistakes

At their Study Days in Turku, Finland - a city much affected by the problems facing the region - the EPP Group is hosting a high-level debate on what lessons can be learnt from the past - and put to good use to improve territorial and social convergence and growth in the region. Participants include the Finnish Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen, and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Jari Koskinen.