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15th Anniversary of CBSS


7 March 2007
The Council of Baltic Sea States celebrated its 15th anniversary on 6 March in Stockholm. The panel, which also included the former foreign ministers Thorvald Stoltenberg, Norway and Janis Jurkans, Latvia, evaluated the work of CBSS during the last 15 years.


The panel also discussed a possible new vision and structure that could ensure an appropriate and influential role of the 11 dynamic countries “on Top of Europe”.

The seminar concluded that the CBSS had played an important role at a crucial time in recent history. Although some issues are still to be solved a shift in vision and focus is highly needed in the Baltic Sea Region. The region and its innovative countries - characterized by solid growth rates, a well-educated labour force and competitive markets - need a new and adapted structure reflecting the region’s leading position in Europe and globally.

Baltic Development Forum intends to pursue this debate during 2007 and will offer advice and input as appropriate to this highly relevant discussion. A central theme will be what tasks a future CBSS structure should work towards. In BDF’s view, the following issues should be considered:

  • It should be demand driven and based upon a clear and shared political vision for the region
  • It should mirror the current geo-political situation and the global challenges ahead
  • It should be provided with sufficient and flexible financial resources
  • It should proactively address current and future issues in the BSR relating to accelerating economic growth and innovation, attracting human talent, enhancing entrepreneurship and competitiveness etc.
  • It should increase the visibility of the BSR within the EU and globally by developing a cutting edge regional cooperation
  • It should include active participation from high level business interests and research networks
  • Last but not least, it should be a driving force for Baltic Sea cooperation as a whole 

Read Chairman Uffe Ellemann-Jensen's speech here. 

Read Carl Bildt's comments from the meeting here.

Photo: Anders Forsberg/Utrikespolitiska Institutet