From a Baltic Point of View “Opinions on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Poland: “We need to develop a Baltic Region identity” page 5
Estonia: “A boost for the whole region” page 7 Lithuania: “Things won’t happen unless we act together” page 8
Latvia: “Coordination is key to change” page 10
THE BALTIC SEA STRATEGY – HOW IT STARTED 2 + “WE NEED TO INVOLVE RUSSIA” 6 + “A NEW APPROACH FOR COOPERATION” 13 + “A REGION COMMITTED TO COOPERATION” 14 + MODEST HOPES FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE 15 + “A REGION WITH FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES” 16 + Connecting the Baltic Sea Region The Baltic Sea
It has been on the agenda for some time, shrouded in The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is speculation, hope and some misunderstandings, but the first macro region strategy to be decided now it is finally here for everyone to admire, discuss upon by the EU. But who brought it to us, and implement. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea what was their objective and who is respon- Region is designed to deliver a more prosperous, sible for its survival? environmentally sound, accessible and safe region. The process was set in motion through an But what do people actually think about the strategy and what is needed to make it work? We at initiative by a group of Members of the the Sida Baltic Sea Unit set our sights on finding European Parliament (MEPs) who shared an out. Our findings from talking to people involved in interest in the region and its fate and set up forming the strategy and those affected by its the Baltic Europe Intergroup in the Euro- implementation are available in this one-off issue of pean Parliament.* From a Baltic Point of View. The magazine explores According to the Chair of the Intergroup, the opportunities provid ed by the strategy and what Christopher Beazley (UK), the motivation for individuals around the Baltic Sea expect from the their initiative sprung out of a realisation that collaboration. And, like the region in itself, the “EU Accession was not enough.” Rather, in responses, feelings and hopes connected to the future of the strategy are very diverse. the minds of the Intergroup “to offset 50 years Hopes are generally high, but are they too high? of division […] a strategy was required.” We believe not and agree with one of our respond- To that effect the group published a ents who maintained that the hopes entailed in the strategy paper in November 2005 which was strategy are modest hopes compared to the adopted by the European Parliament in advances already made in recent decades. November 2006. However, an initiative like At the same time, it can be maintained that this needed top level national support. contacts across this new Mare Nostrum of the EU Intense efforts during 2007 by the Swedish are not yet intense enough. This is worrisome Government (among others), wanting to because contacts are key to generating awareness “ and fencing off ignorance. In its turn, awareness is make it a priority for its 2009 presidency, a prerequisite for reaching a stage in which we resulted in the European Council (Decem- intuitively think regionally. ber 2007) asking the European Commission However, at present we still do not know our to draw up a strategy. neighbours well enough to make them a natural When the proposal was finally made public first choice when faced with a need or situation of in June 2009 it had thus been preceded by some kind. Clearly, if thinking and acting regionally some 18 months of preparations, led and is to become the rule rather than the exception, coordinated by the Directorate General for continued attention must be paid to the role of contacts and unprejudiced awareness of the oppor- Regional Policy (DG Regio). A vital instru- tunities available in the region. ment in this work was a series of stakeholder Connecting the Baltic Sea Region thus remains a conferences and public consultations. high priority issue also in the years to come.
The Baltic Sea Strategy Timeline
Lobbying period
May 2004 – EU enlargement November 2005 November 2006 – eight of the nine bordering – strategy paper presented by – report adopted by countries are now members of the EU the Baltic Europe Intergroup the European Parliament FOTO: STIG HAMMARSTEDT FOTO: DAHL MATILDA FOTO:
* Among its members can be mentioned Alexander Stubb (FIN), Michael Gahler (DE), Toomas Ilves (EE), Satu Hassi (FIN), Girts Kristovskis (LV), Dr. Mikael Olsson Henrik Lax (FIN), Vytautas Landsbergis (LT) and its chairman, Christopher Team Director Project Leader Beazley (UK). a Strategy – how it started
The process resulted in a Communication and an accompanying Action Plan to be endorsed by the European Council in October 2009. But then again, such an adoption of the strategy is only the beginning. As pointed out by a long- time observer of our region, Sweden’s Ambas- sador to Poland, Dag Hartelius, the key to its success is “the political will and the signals to all institutions that we now need to think regional FINLAND when we plan.” Helsinki t However, political support alone is not likely SWEDEN 4UPDLIPMNt t5BMMJOO to suffice. Popular support is of the essence and ESTONIA Beazley, as a politician, concludes that “if the LATVIA RUSSIA t3JHB public fails to support the proposal or is disap- DENMARK .PTDPXt LITHUANIA pointed by its outcome we shall have failed.” $PQFOIBHFOt RUSSIA t7JMOJVT
Berlin POLAND t GERMANY 8BSTBXt
First and foremost this is an EU Strategy THE STRATEGY IN BRIEF “conforming to the In June 2009 the European Commission presented its proposal for a European Union Strategy for the Baltic original idea of Sea Region. An Action Plan containing some 80 different concrete actions is an integral part of it. The establishing the re- strategy addresses four main challenges that will have unifi cation of the to be met in order to make the region: HQYLURQPHQWDOO\VXVWDLQDEOH European Family. SURVSHURXV DFFHVVLEOHDQGDWWUDFWLYH VDIHDQGVHFXUH Christopher Beazley, MEP, Brussels, Belgium Read more at: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/baltic
Consultation and preparation period Adopting and anchoring the strategy Implementation and development
December 2007 September 2008–February 2009 June 2009 September 2009 October 2009 – European Council invites European – stakeholder conferences, roundtables – proposal for a July–December 2009 – meeting in Stockholm as part – the European Council July–December 2011 Commission to present strategy and public consultations about the strategy strategy made public – Swedish Presidency of the Swedish Presidency adopts the strategy – Polish Presidency
This publication draws on more than 25 interviews and meetings across the Baltic Sea Region. The Sida Baltic Sea Unit would like to thank all of you who have participated in this work and shared some of your valuable time with us. This being said, the opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily shared by Sida or by all of those interviewed.
3 Why the Baltic Sea Strategy?
Pia Kinhult, Deputy Governor of Region Skåne, Kristianstad, Sweden “We are several different countries, and we have several different ways of doing things, different cultures, different habits. […] But we are all becoming increasingly aware of that we cannot do things on our own.” FOTO: MARIA EVERTSSON FOTO:
Joanna Held, Chief Expert, Department of Structural Policy Coordination, Ministry of Regional Development, Warsaw, Poland “I think that the Baltic Sea Strategy is a great opportunity to bridge the East–West divide in Europe.” FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
Hans Brask, Director, Baltic Development Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark “The strategy will help bring about a more integrated region that is built on a sound environ- ment and also new possibilities for prosperity and greater competitiveness; they are very high ambitions, but I think that they are realistic.” FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
Anders Lindholm, DG Regional Policy, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium “It provides a much better awareness of the co-dependency that we actually have in the region, and this goes across all the sectors, both for environment, the most obvious, but also for prosperity.” FOTO: JOEL NILSSON FOTO:
Dag Hartelius, Sweden’s Ambassador, Warsaw, Poland “This is actually what the whole strategy is about: to make this region stronger and more competitive.” FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
4 WHO: MALGORZATA KALUZYNSKA WHAT: National Coordinator for the Baltic Sea Strategy in Poland WHERE: Ministry for European Affairs, Warsaw, Poland FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
“We need to develop a Baltic Region identity”
“The peoples around the Baltic Sea do not By promoting a Baltic concept and a Baltic have a strong regional identity, and they do identity, the integration and cohesion of the not know very much about each other. This region will go much faster. is why we need to brand the region and “The fact that the Commission decided to develop a Baltic Sea Identity,” explains include the Baltic identity in the Action Plan Malgorzata Kaluzynska, National Coordina- is a great step forward for us.” explains tor for the Baltic Sea Strategy in Poland. Malgorzata. She compares to the strong brand of the Mediterranean region, with the sun, the food What are the most important aspects and holiday spots. She concludes that the of a Baltic identity? Baltic Sea Region states need to put much “First of all we need to relate to the region effort into creating the same strong images, and know who our neighbours are. We then and they will have to begin with their own need to let everybody else in Europe know countries. what we are good at, that this is the best Poland began its work with the Baltic Sea place to spend their holidays, that there are Strategy in spring 2008 by conducting a pub- sports, music and cultural events. lic survey into the Polish people’s opinions of “In ten years I hope […] that we will know the region. The survey showed that only 25 much more about each other and that the per cent of Poles recognised the Baltic Sea as Baltic Region brand will be recognised not something they can relate to. only in Europe, but throughout the whole Malgorzata got the idea for a survey after world.” seeing a Swedish poll showing how nega- tively Poland and other newcomers in the EU were being perceived in Sweden. “I thought it odd that several years after By promoting a Baltic the enlargement there were still so many negative connotations. This is when I realised concept and a Baltic there was a need to exchange more informa-“identity, the integra- tion about each other and that we need to find new forms of communication.” tion of the region will The survey proved to be a very useful go much faster. document; in September 2008 Poland was one of the first countries with a vision of Malgorzata Kaluzynska, Warsaw, Poland what the strategy should look like, and that it should include branding the Baltic Region.
5 WHO: ERIK TERK WHAT: Director of the Estonian Institute for Future Studies (EIFS) WHERE: Tallinn University, Estonia FOTO: ULF JOHANSSON FOTO:
“We need to involve Russia”
“A lot of Finnish and Swedish companies profit organisation that offers advice to the come here for cheap production input and Estonian Government, institutions and private cheap labour, but how can Estonian compa- enterprises on development and future issues. nies get onto Swedish and Finnish markets? He has also been an advisor to the EU It’s not about formal access, perhaps a Commission on the Baltic Sea Strategy. special support policy is needed followed by training and development.” What do you think is needed for the According to Dr. Erik Terk there is still a Baltic Sea Strategy to be taken seriously? very clear East–West divide between the “It needs some high level meetings between countries around the Baltic Sea, with the high the leaders of the countries with somebody value added production kept in the West. He from the European Commission there to talk sees many important priorities in the EU to each Prime Minister, to persuade them to Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, but the most take this matter seriously. I personally think difficult part will be moving from a strategy to it has been difficult convincing countries of hands-on implementation. The mobility of the the importance of this type of document.” labour force is one of the central issues. Erik regards the official framework of the Erik Terk is the Director of EIFS, a non- strategy as good, but in order to avoid the usual “we have heard it before” there needs to be proof of results achieved. “Measuring progress in these fields is central. The Finnish tourists are The problem is that the strategy focuses upon coming and companies too many different things. Some sectors, like “are investing here to get fisheries, are overemphasised.” economy in input prices. What is the most important issue for Estonia? Now we need to say that “One thing that I discussed with the EU we are happy for these Commission was how to include EU-Russian economic relations and tie it in to the strategy. tourists and investments, The strategy does include this but in very but we need more. general terms. It’s the task for the European Commission to speak to Russia and explain Erik Terk, Tallinn, Estonia that this strategy may not be a first priority for Moscow, but it could be very important for other regions like St Petersburg and Novgorod.”
6 WHO: KITTY KUBO WHAT: Head of Foresight Division WHERE: Estonian Development Fund, Tallinn, Estonia FOTO: ULF JOHANSSON FOTO:
“A boost for the whole region”
When Kitty Kubo first heard about the Baltic looking for the best place to innovate and Sea Strategy, she was sceptical as to its value. grow. I have three children of my own and I “My first impression was ‘just another hate thinking about their future in Estonia paper’. What’s the point of doing this at EU consisting of folk dancing or singing to Asian level when, from what I understand, there tourists. But if we are not able to compete were bilateral, regional and other initiatives with Asia, that is our reality.” underway. However, on further reading I soon When asked what the optimum outcome realised that it wasn’t actually an additional would be from the Baltic Sea Strategy from thing at all but an attempt at coordinating Estonia’s point of view, Kitty says to be the already existing initiatives, add missing careful not to limit our view to the Baltic Sea bits and boost the visibility of the whole corner of the world. region within the EU.” “If we want to grow further and ensure that Kitty says that talking about cooperation some parts of manufacturing and services still requires joint interests and equal partners, remain in this part of the world, we need a but the present strategy consists of a diverse more proactive approach towards the BRIC* set of countries where some are world countries. Maybe we could cooperate more in leaders in innovation, while others are still entering the BRIC markets, but also in catching up. As countries differ, it is impor- attracting capital from them.” tant for them to share a future vision. “I think innovation could be the common *BRIC is an acronym referring to Brazil, Russia, India and China. denominator for the Baltic Sea Strategy; being renowned as a region where new solutions are tested and standards created I have three children with the ultimate aim of improving life for all European citizens. The strategy covers a of my own and I hate considerable market in which we can “thinking about their develop and experiment in new ways of doing things through IT, in private and, future in Estonia con- more importantly, public sector services.” sisting of folk dancing What is most important in achieving or singing to Asian positive development in the region? tourists. “We need to make this region attractive, not only for our citizens to stay and tourists to Kitty Kubo, Tallinn, Estonia visit, but also for foreign talents and capital
7 Cooperation across borders can be a good way to find solutions for waste management and other environmental FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS challenges in Lithuania, some of them originating from the Soviet period.
LITHUANIA: “Things won’t happen unless we’re all in it together”
Involving municipalities through local communicated across the board. The commitment, collaborating with non-EU message must be very simple so that every- neighbours Russia and Belarus, and one understands what is to be achieved, changing people’s mindset are some of something the municipalities have an impor- the main items on Lithuania’s agenda tant role in. for the Baltic Sea Strategy. But the “In Klaipeda for example, the country’s message is clear; if things are to happen, it has to involve all levels.
Roma Zakaitiene is the Director of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithua- nia. Previously a minister in the Lithuanian government, she is clearly aware of the long-going struggle between what should be performed on a national contra a local level. And for the strategy to become more than a paper product and achieve results there has to be a local commitment and it has to be
FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS 8 biggest port, they have a traditional Baltic important aspect according to Laura: Sea celebration every year with carnivals “All the nations must meet regularly and and music. This event could be a good determine the key indicators for success and opportunity for the municipality to commu- if we are doing enough to achieve them.” nicate what the Baltic Sea Strategy is about Just like Roma Zakaitiene and several and what is to be achieved from it.” other people interviewed in Lithuania and The Baltic Sea with its environmental Latvia, Laura sees the financing of the problems is one of the most urgent areas for measures in the Baltic Sea Strategy as a vital cooperation according to Roma, and this issue, to get the politicians to make a real involves all countries around the Baltic Sea. commitment. But she also sees a great “Although the Baltic Sea Strategy only opportunity in combining economical and comprises EU members, it depends on environmental considerations, and involving Russia for success. All of us must have the the private sector: same strategies to assure that we work on the “We are all talking about sustainable devel- ecological issues together. I hope the strategy opment but to achieve that you need har- can help here and improve the sustainable mony between environment, economic development.” growth and corporate social responsibility. Increased knowledge, investments in We as a government have a role in showing wastewater treatment plants and the closure the private sector that it needs to change its of old industries solved many of the major approach and learn from those who are environmental problems from the Soviet era. already sustainable, such as Sweden and Today the environmental challenges are other Baltic Sea regions.” more connected to lifestyle and increased Professor Juras Banys is Pro-Rector for consumption. Laura Dzelzyte is special Research at Vilnius University. Exploiting advisor to the the full potential of the region in research Minister of and innovation is one priority area in the Environment in Baltic Sea Strategy. He says cooperation Lithuania and within research is good, for example with she says that real Latvia, Estonia and Lund in Sweden. But to change must catch up on the competition with the rest of start with the the world, he feels that far more money citizens: needs to be invested in education and “Waste is one research. And for research to actually lead to
FOTO: ULF JOHANSSON FOTO: of our major innovation, regulations need to be simplified: environmental issues, and it’s mainly about changing people’s mindset when it comes to recycling. We’re trying to set trends now, to make it fashionable to be green.” With regard to the chances of success for the Baltic Sea Strategy Laura points to several important factors, the main one being the interaction between politicians around the Baltic Sea Region, where they actually get together and talk. “Media is very important here in putting across what is being achieved to the public, WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO: and if politicians feel that people find the “There is too much bureaucracy here, strategy important, they will prioritise going which can kill the very best ideas. I think to these meetings.” more decision making should be given to the Getting stakeholders to commit to the universities and institutions, but a lot of Baltic Sea Strategy is one thing, but if the political will and strength is required to strategy is to actually change things, moni- change things.” toring and reviewing the progress is the most
9 LATVIA: “Coordination between all levels is key to change and success”
Travelling along the European Route actions. If we focus on crossborder commu- 67 from Vilnius to Riga is a pleasant nication, the ferry traffic would be one drive, passing through endless green example, involving companies in Latvia, landscapes of hills and groves of broad- Sweden and Finland.” leaved forest. The EU-financed road The Riga City Development Plan contains from Warsaw to Tallinn, known as the the ambitious goal of becoming one of the Via Baltica, is a flagship example of leading cities in the Baltic Sea Region in transnational cooperation in the Baltic 10–20 years, competing with Stockholm and Sea Strategy, and coordination togeth- Helsinki. The core economic base for the er with collaboration seems to be the development is the Freeport of Riga. key in going from strategy to action. “We want Riga to become the new Silk Road from China to Europe, competing with “We have more nature than in the rest of ports like Amsterdam and Hamburg. Yes, we Europe and with global warming and rising are ambitious here, but when everything else temperatures, it’s possible that more people went down with the crisis the Freeport kept will want to live in the north.” accumulating economic activity.” Sarmite Pika, Chair of the Riga City For a Baltic Sea Strategy to succeed the Development Committee is convinced that time period has to be as long as 10–20 years the Baltic Sea region has the potential to or things will not happen, and the East–West become “the income differences lungs of will not be bridged. Europe” This is the opinion of within the Morten Hansen, next 20 Head of the Econom- years, and of ics Department at the becoming an Stockholm School of environmen- Economics in Riga. tal role He sees the timeframe model within as a potential problem WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO: FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO: the EU. for some of the actions in the Strategy, but In a short-term perspective for the city of adds that ministers often find it easier to deal Riga, she sees collaboration between cities with short projects with a “clear exit”. across national borders as crucial and the For Andris Jaunsleinis, Chair of the Baltic Sea Strategy as a good framework for Latvian Association of Local and Regional achieving it. Governments, the project timeframes are not She already has a number of colleagues that important. Like his Lithuanian col- working together with partners in Stockholm league, he mentions the importance of and St. Petersburg, so the willingness is there, coordination between all levels and he sees but the next step with this strategy is to the connection between local and national define specific programmes in which to policies as key in achieving the Baltic Sea cooperate. Strategy, especially within the environmental “Without that you cannot begin real field where more coordination between the
10 Crossing the border between Lithuania and Latvia entailed hours of queuing just ten years ago FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS but EU membership in 2004 put an end to that, and today the border point looks deserted.
state and municipalities is required with connect with new energy systems and regard to water purification, focusing on the networks. The first step is a cable connection sea as well as the rivers from Belarus. with Sweden.” “We have a transition period up to 2015 to Renewable energy and energy saving are comply with all EU regulations but with a two ways of decreasing the dependency on number of old wastewater plants from the Russia. The latter is also good from an Soviet days, that will be costly.” environmental and economic perspective. Making the Baltic Sea Region a safe and “We have a large number of old housing secure place is one of the four pillars in the systems in Latvia that need to be renovated, strategy, and when talking about security in and we support the municipalities in carry- Lithuania it is often connected with energy ing out this renovation and insulation.” FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO: security. For Andris, this means being less However, if the strategy is to be a success it dependant on energy from Russia and needs to be put into a bigger perspective, aiming at self-sufficiency. says Andris and the interests in south Europe “One priority for all the Baltic states is to also need to be considered: “The EU needs to create a Mediterranean strategy as well. Finding alliance partners will make it easier to get support and resources for the Baltic Sea Strategy.” And here he puts a lot of hope to the Swedish EU presidency: “This can be used to demonstrate the potential of the Baltic Sea Region.” FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO:
11 What area within the Baltic Sea Strategy is most important?
Maris Lauri, Chief Economic Analyst at Swedbank, Tallinn, Estonia “I think it is the energy, in short term, that is definitely very important and urgent. And of course, also in a short term, it is the question of ANKI WOOD FOTO: economy, how the connections will work out – and the environment.” FOTO: ULF JOHANSSON FOTO:
Colin Wolfe, Head of Unit, DG Regional Policy, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium “Cleaning up the Baltic Sea, that’s crucial for many countries. And transportation is very important also, especially in countries like Lithuania and Latvia.” FOTO: JOEL NILSSON FOTO:
Agnieszka Kowalcze, Director, Scandinavian- Polish Chamber of Commerce, Warsaw, Poland “Environmental issues are important for us, but as a developing country, we are still putting economic issues first. Polish companies are inter- ested in Nordic countries. They are looking for business partners.” FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
Roma Zakaitiene, Chair of the Association of Local Authorities, Vilnius, Lithuania “I must stress the energy issue for the region and see what links we can share with the other countries, Sweden, Poland, to assure the energy security for Lithuania. Next year, the 2nd unit of Ignalina will be closed down, which makes us feel very insecure now about our future energy.” FOTO: SUSANNA WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS SUSANNA FOTO:
12 WHO: PIOTR SERAFIN WHAT: Deputy EU Minister of Poland WHERE: Ministry for European Affairs, Warsaw, Poland
WHO: PIOTR ZUBER WHAT: Director of the Structural Policy Coordination Department WHERE: Ministry of Regional Development, Warsaw, Poland FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO: ANKI WOOD FOTO:
“A new approach for cooperation”
The creation of a macro region around the However, there is no additional funding Baltic Sea enables neighbouring countries to attached to the strategy. One important pool their efforts to reduce marine pollution, option is to use the structural funds. Poland, remove trade barriers and fight cross border for example, has large structural funds from crime, etcetera. the EU, over Euro 50 billion in 2007–2013, In Poland, coordination and financing and is now analysing how they can be used. have been two important aspects during the “We are now in the process of adapting work with the strategy: those programmes to the Baltic Sea Strategy. “There are lots of opportunities to contrib- It is possible to use structural funds for ute for everybody, not just for member states, transborder projects, but it is not easy. But but also for NGOs and organisations already the most important part is the will of the active in the region,” says Polish Deputy EU countries that wish to do so. I think that the Minister Piotr Serafin. Baltic Sea Strategy gives us an opportunity In many areas a single member state is too to combine structural funds with other small to make a difference, whereas the entire sources, coming from Brussels or from union could be too big to agree on a specific national sources,” explains a Polish expert on issue. In a macro region, countries with a this issue, Dr. Piotr Zuber, Director at the common goal work together. The EU Baltic Ministry of Regional Development. Sea Strategy is a pilot for this new approach. For the more recent EU members, the economic challenges remain a priority. Can the Baltic Sea Strategy help bridge the There are lots of East-West divide within this region? opportunities to “That is happening already and is going to be the source of strength for the region. I’m “contribute for convinced that the way to competitiveness everybody, not just lies in cohesion.” Piotr has great hopes for Sweden’s EU for member states, presidency and he and his ministry are already but also for NGOs preparing for the Polish presidency in 2011. and organisations. “The task for the Swedish presidency will be to find owners to each of the flagship projects and initiatives. Under the Polish Piotr Serafi n, Warsaw, Poland presidency we plan to review the implemen- tation progress of the strategy.”
13 WHO: ULF SAVBÄCK WHAT: Desk Officer WHERE: Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Stockholm, Sweden FOTO: JOEL NILSSON FOTO:
“A region committed to cooperation”
“There is a great deal of commitment for Region and I think many of them are cooperation in the region, and this strategy relevant for financing this strategy. We need will ensure commitment from the whole of to think in a new way and improve coordina- the EU and the Commission as well. It will be tion between programmes.” easier to influence EU policies and to ensure Ulf not only sees the structural funds as they are, to some extent, adapted to the being important for the strategy, but research specific circumstances of Baltic Sea Region.” and agricultural programmes as well. He In Sweden, Ulf Savbäck at the Ministry of says that “all the EU programmes are Enterprise has been involved in the process relevant”, adding that “if we cannot find of developing the Baltic Sea Strategy since financing for this, then it is a failure!” the early discussions. He is very optimistic to “The important actors here are the ones in the possibilities of the strategy actually leading the region who should realise the projects. to tangible results, which he bases on the Hopefully it will be easier to initiate joint discussions and input from people in the region. projects in the Baltic Sea Region with the “The Commission realized very early on defined Action Plan in the strategy as a that this kind of initiative needs to be firmly starting point.” anchored in the region and that the imple- mentation of the strategy will depend on the What is the role of the European engagement and interest at the regional and Commission in the realisation of the local levels.” strategy? Through a number of stakeholder confer- “The commission has a central role because ences 80 actions were identified and are now we are talking about the implementation of part of the Action Plan accompanying the EU directives; financing from EU pro- strategy. grammes and the many EU policies that “The added value of having a strategy is to have an effect on the region…” Ulf under- identify our common priorities and channel lines the role of the Commission by calling it our cooperation in the same direction, and “a key player also with regard to potential to identify the priorities that are most suited future adaptation of EU policies to different to being handled on a transnational level.” territorial circumstances.”
But there will be no extra funding for this strategy, so where will the money come from to realize it? “We already have a variety of EU programmes for the structural funds in the Baltic Sea
14 We want the strategy not only to be known “to politicians but also With this strategy, to the general public. we have political Malgorzata Kaluzynska, Warsaw, Poland “commitment on an absolutely top level.
Colin Wolfe, Brussels, Belgium
FOTO: GLOBAL REPORTING
Modest hopes for a bright future
“I grew up during the Cold War when the region back in the early 1990s, I talked about region was divided and it was impossible for seeing independent Baltic States, about me to go to the Baltic countries or Poland. seeing the countries around the Baltic Sea as Now that it’s all opened up, I believe there is members of the EU and NATO, and look a very solid basis for achieving a regional what happened! So if you look at the “wild” identity.” visions I had in those days and how they “In 10 years time I hope that we will be have all been fulfilled, why shouldn’t this further along the road than we were when modest vision of a better future for all of us we were hit by the crisis. I look forward to a around the Baltic Sea Region be fulfilled?” situation where a lot of the barriers have been removed and where the environment has improved to allow us to once again catch codfish of the size that I did some 25 years Uffe Ellemann- ago. I also hope the Russians will behave in a Jensen more forthcoming way towards their Chair of the Baltic neighbours.” Development Forum, and “These are my modest hopes. I say modest Former Danish Minister
because when I presented my visions on the ANKI WOOD FOTO: of Foreign Affairs A region with fantastic 2009 EDITA, “ opportunities PRINT: The Baltic Sea has seen a remarkable transition. Twenty years after the fall of the
iron curtain and five years after the enlargement of the European Union, eight of LEPP/JOHNÉR DAN the nine states around the Baltic Sea are free democracies and functioning market economies. With this in mind, I dare to say that our region has fantastic opportu-
nities. COVER: PHOTO My idea of a Baltic Sea Strategy is an integrated European transnational strategy that will make it easier for the region to prosper, and that will help the region handle its cross-border challenges effectively. It is vital to ensure that that the measures LISA JANSSON LISA JANSSON taken to boost growth in the Baltic Sea Region do not counteract the actions to transform the Baltic Sea into a sustainable inland sea. I see the key to a successful Baltic Sea Strategy as being twofold.
On the one hand, we need true commitment, we need to work hard at all levels GRAPHIC DESIGN: and we need an even closer cooperation between our countries. The preparatory work done by the Commission, the high level of interest, participation and contribution at the stakeholders meetings in the region, leaves me secure in the fact that the necessary commitment will continue to be broad and sustainable. On the other hand, the strategy will only work in practise if we make it work. Here, I consider the Action Plan to be a cornerstone to ensure both a continued broad commitment and to make sure that the abstract strategy melts down to concrete, visible and tangible projects. All countries across the region have pledged to take lead responsibilities for certain issues, thus demonstrating a broad ownership not only in the formulating but also the implementing phase of the strategy. Again, the Baltic Sea Region has undergone a tremen- dous development the recent decades. A closely integrat- ed Baltic Sea Region has been a clear vision for our generation, and it is now high time for us politicians to AND MIKAEL OLSSON ANKI WOOD WASIELEWSKI AHLFORS, SUSANNA take integration and cooperation even further. I think the Baltic Sea Strategy can and will serve as a model for regional cooperation in Europe. EDITORS AND WRITERS: EDITORS
FOTO: STIG HAMMARSTEDT FOTO: Dr. Cecilia Malmström, Minister for EU Affairs, Sweden GLOBAL REPORTING REPORTING GLOBAL PRODUCTION:
The Sida Baltic Sea Unit SIDA BALTIC SEA UNIT BALTIC SIDA The Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) Baltic Sea Unit Baltic Sea Unit was created by the Swedish Government in 2005 to Box 1271, SE-621 23 Visby develop relations between diverse actors in the Baltic Sea Region. In SWEDEN the Government’s Letter of Appropriation 2009, Sida was tasked to PUBLISHER: ‘facilitate the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Phone: +46 (0)8 698 50 00 Region’. Read more at www.sida.se/balticseaunit www.sida.se/balticseaunit +16