BackUkraine and stakeholder involvement highlighted in the Action Plan update discussion
In their meeting in September, the National Coordinators of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region focused on the Action Plan update, which is planned to come into force in 2026. During the autumn, Policy Area Coordinators and Steering Groups, with representatives from all eight member states, are working on their proposals for the updated Action Plan.
Exploring potential ways to better include Ukraine
In their, the National Coordinators Group discussed the desired format and content of the Action Plan update proposals, such as potential ways to include Ukraine and the work on supporting Ukraine better in the Strategy.
This was not the first time Ukraine’s participation in the Strategy has come up in the previous years, and the issue has multiple potential consequences to be considered. Ukraine could be included in the Strategy on two levels: political and operational. Different levels of involvement would require different sets of measures, such as updating the text of the Action Plan itself, updating the European Commission Communication on the Strategy, or even a Council Conclusion in case of including the state as a member. This could also have consequences for the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, which is closely linked to the Strategy.
Involving cities, regions and other stakeholders
One Member State suggested including the stakeholder involvement more prominently in the template. Stakeholders are also to be involved in the update process itself. On 29 October 2024 in connection with the Annual Forum, BSSSC, CPMR-BSC and UBC are to organise a round table discussion on stakeholder involvement in the update of the Strategy’s Action Plan. In the event, participants are to discuss how the local and regional authorities are involved in the Strategy today, and what expectations Policy Area Coordinators and National Coordinators have towards cities and regions for the future Action Plan.
See the full minutes of the National Coordinators Group meeting here.
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