From the Latvian National Coordinator on the last week of the Latvian Presidency

Dear members and supporters of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region,

I am proud to be looking back at the last year with a sense of satisfaction on the progress achieved by working together.

Latvia took over the Presidency from Sweden, continuing the work it had already started: implementing the EUSBSR Action Plan, improving internal and external communication, and supporting Ukraine. During the Latvian Presidency, putting the Action Plan into practice and promoting its implementation has been the main priority, also the work on updating the Action Plan 2021 has been initiated. It has been achieved by continuing to enhance cross-sectoral, transnational and multi-level cooperation among various authorities and organizations in the Baltic Sea Region.

Reflecting on the Presidency, I can say with gratitude that the objectives set within the mentioned areas were successfully implemented. 

Firstly, the central activity of the Presidency was the implementation process of the Action Plan, which eventually developed into a slightly different project aimed at revising the Policy Areas to improve the effectiveness of the Strategy – the Action Plan update. To do that, a new framework for Policy Area Actions is being created considering the contributions and opinions of the National Coordinators and Policy Area Coordinators. I believe that the chance to gather in Riga in May to discuss the matters of defining necessary improvements as well as the need to write a more concrete and realistic Action Plan was particularly valuable.

Furthermore, there were significant takeaways obtained from the regular reporting results – both success stories and matters reflecting room for improvement. The reports indicated that, firstly, there is progress in the activity leading to all Policy Areas being fully active with implementation, with a small number of justifiable exceptions, and are in accordance with the set objectives. Notably, pan-Baltic organizations play an important role in establishing contacts and engaging in activities. On the other hand, some Policy Areas emphasise that it is challenging to make some stakeholders see the EUSBSR as an actual opportunity for change, considering the lack of its own financing mechanism – this is an important aspect that must be taken into account. Additionally, it has been noted that despite the lingering effects of the pandemic and the active effects of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, Baltic Sea cooperation is still extremely active. This should be nurtured and coordinated to avoid overlaps and inefficiencies.

The EUSBSR Annual Forum held in Riga was a platform for gathering a broad range of actors from different policy levels and sectors – national and regional stakeholders, sectorial ministries, managing authorities, academia, research, and non-governmental organisations. It focused on topics of energy, climate, and the youth, as well as the recovery of Ukraine. The goals of the forum were attained: the exchange of best practices, stronger integration within the Baltic Sea Region and beyond, forming synergies between various priority areas, as well as creating links between the Strategy and the general public. Deemed a success, the forum led to several conclusions on various topics. It was another confirmation that cooperation is key – together we could unleash the potential of the offshore wind, and by sharing knowledge and co-creating ideas and projects, we can reduce overlaps and strengthen synergies.

Finally, although the geopolitical challenges have presented unprecedented conditions in the region, they have also strengthened our cooperation. During the closing session of the Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days event in Brussels, I was particularly pleased to hear Commissioner Ms Elisa Ferreira refer to the support provided to Ukraine by the Strategy. It reflects that the work done by the EUSBSR is valuable, noticed and appreciated.

In conclusion, I would like to convey my best wishes to our Polish friends taking over the Presidency on July 1st. I am confident that the coordination of the Strategy will be in good hands and that the work initiated during the last year will be continued effectively.

Andra Kuzmina
National Coordinator, Latvia