The talks focused on challenges to cooperation in the Baltic region, including issues related to Russia’s hostile and aggressive actions. In addition, the participants discussed how to enhance crisis preparedness and effectively combat hybrid threats.

The ministers also talked about the opportunity for further cooperation within the Council of the Baltic Sea States, noting that it is the only intergovernmental organisation bringing together all the EU and NATO countries from the region and characterised by a strong political component.

In the Porvoo Declaration, the participants condemned Russia's ongoing unprovoked, unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. They pointed out the need to hold Russia accountable, including in terms of full compensation for the damages, and the necessity to take further measures against this country, such as strengthening the sanctions. At the same time, they emphasised their full support for the independent and sovereign Ukraine, as well as for its integration with the European Union and for its future NATO membership.

The officials mentioned the increasing number of Russia’s hybrid operations, together with cynical instrumentalization of migration at the borders with the countries of the region by Russia and Belarus. They called on both countries to stop all hostile actions and highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the countries of the region in order to counteract threats.

The ministers stated that threats resulting from actions of the so-called shadow fleet, which transports Russian oil through the Baltic Sea, require taking firm action, including as part of the sanction regime. The participants of the Ministerial Session emphasised that the organisation efficiently adapted to the new requirements and pointed to the importance of further development of the CBSS cooperation.

In July 2024, Estonia will take over a year-long presidency of the Council. Poland will then form the presidency trio, given the planned presidency's takeover from Estonia in July 2025.

On 13 June, at the invitation of the Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, Minister Radosław Sikorski took part in a debate as part of the “Kultaranta Talks” conference on the future of Europe and its role on the global, geopolitical arena.

On the occasion of his visit to Finland, Minister Radosław Sikorski held bilateral meetings with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir.

More photos available on flickr.

 

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA