“With Finland's – and hopefully Sweden's – accession to NATO, the role of the Baltic Sea in the context of our security has significantly increased. However, we are aware that Russia, also a Baltic country, will use its potential to destabilise the situation in the region. This is why it is so important to build the region’s resilience and strengthen its civilian security. These areas have recently taken on new meaning for the Council of the Baltic Sea States. As we showed especially last year by taking action in response to the migration crisis, Poland – due to its experience and location – can be an active participant in efforts to, among other things, build resilience and prevent the threat of human trafficking and exploitation. Thanks to prior contacts of Polish institutions, mainly those responsible for civilian protection, with Ukrainian partners, we are together able to swiftly and efficiently identify areas in which the Council of the Baltic Sea States can support Kyiv with its knowledge, experience and best practices,” said Deputy Minister Wojciech Gerwel, head of the Polish delegation.

Attended by the foreign ministers of Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, as well as representatives of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and the EU, the meeting in Wismar, Germany, closed that country’s presidency of the Council. The session's agenda focused on the current challenges to multilateral regional cooperation and the three priorities of the German presidency: development of offshore wind energy, challenges related to WWII weapons buried at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, as well as strengthening the youth's involvement in the public debate and decision-making about the region's future.

In the declaration of the 20th Council of the Baltic Sea States in Wismar, the session's participants condemned Russia's actions in respect of Ukraine as well as declared solidarity with Kyiv and willingness for further support. Considering the impact of the Russian aggression on regional security, they underlined how important it is to further build resilience of societies in the Baltic Sea region, which includes but is not limited to strengthening civil preparedness, countering disinformation and false narratives, as well as defending and increasing the resilience of common critical infrastructure and ensuring security of energy and supplies. They stressed the common goal of climate neutrality to be achieved by 2050 at the latest and drew attention to the region’s big potential in renewable energy, including offshore wind energy. The ministers emphasised the Council's role as an important forum for political dialogue on current issues of common interest across the region.

In 2022, members of the Council (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden) and the EU suspended all cooperation with Russia (and Belarus) in response to its aggression against Ukraine. Russia left the Council in May 2022. The other members advocated continued multilateral collaboration in the region, despite Russia's absence. Given the current challenges and problems in the region, mostly a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Council estimates that its key area of action consists in strengthening security and stability across the region.

In July 2023, Finland takes over the Council’s year-long presidency.

 

MFA Press Office