Collaboration within the Baltic Sea Region

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2025 September 12 . 12:06 AM

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Collaboration within the Baltic Sea Region

The European Union's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) has a new leader, with Poland taking over the annual rotating presidency from Estonia on July 1, 2025. The EUSBSR, one of four macroregional strategies, is tasked with coordinating regional strategy planning among the Baltic Sea coastal states.

Established in 1992, the Baltic Sea Council, which consists of eight Baltic Sea coastal states—Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden—has been a cornerstone of regional cooperation. The Baltic Sea Council was initiated by the foreign ministers of Germany and Denmark.

The Polish presidency has set its priorities on promoting regional security, protecting critical infrastructure, and addressing the Russian shadow fleet. This comes amidst the suspension of Russia's membership in the Baltic Sea Council, a move that was enacted in March 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine. Russia also withdrew from the Council in May 2022.

The EUSBSR's action plan strategically focuses on three goals: Conservation of the Baltic Sea, Connectivity of the region, and Promotion of prosperity. An annual forum within the EUSBSR provides a platform for exchange among actors involved in the implementation of the strategy.

The overall steering for the EUSBSR is provided by the Council of the EU. Germany last held the one-year presidency in 2022/23. The secretariat of the Baltic Sea Council is located in Stockholm.

The Northern Dimension (ND), a framework for regional dialogue and cooperation among four partners—Russia, Norway, Iceland, and EU member states—is another important component of the Baltic Sea region's cooperation. Norway and Iceland, despite suspending all activities with Russia and Belarus through a joint declaration in response to Russian aggression, remain active members of the Baltic Sea Council.

For more information about the EUSBSR, its implementation, and the annual forums, visit www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu. The European External Action Service also involves EU member states in the Northern Dimension.

The Baltic Sea Council has come a long way since its inception, playing a crucial role in fostering cooperation among the Baltic Sea coastal states. As Poland takes over the presidency, it continues this tradition, focusing on ensuring regional security, protecting critical infrastructure, and addressing pressing issues in the Baltic Sea region.