Mecklenburg-Vorpommern kick-started its Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

On 15 May 2024, the official kick-off event for the “MV Baltic Sea Strategy“, which was adopted by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s state government in January 2024, took place in Rostock’s Ostseestadion (Baltic Sea Stadium).The day was characterised by a key note and a panel discussion reflecting the role of regional cooperation in times of geopolitical change in the Baltic Sea region and a numer of panels on topics like regional and international cooperation, art and culture, civil society exchange and the opportunities of the bioeconomy. Further discussions dealt with communication in the scientific field and the salvage of old ammunition in the Baltic Sea. Special attention was also paid to key issues for the future such as renewable energies, hydrogen as an energy source, the health economy and digital innovation in an international context.

International guests highlighted democratic partnerships in the region

Among the approximately 200 guests were numerous international representatives from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s partner states in the democratic Baltic Sea Region. Prominent participants included Ingrīda Levrence, Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, the Finnish Baltic Sea Ambassador Helena Tuuri, who gave a keynote speech, and the Latvian Ambassador to Germany, Alda Vanaga. Regional President Annerby Jansson from the Swedish region of Skåne and Dr. Norbert Obrycki, Representative of the Marshal of West Pomerania (Poland) for Cross-Border Cooperation, also took part.

The event was accompanied by greetings from the Vice President of the Land’s State Parliament Beate Schlupp and the Secretary General of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Bodo Bahr. In her welcoming speech, Minister for Europe Bettina Martin stressed the importance of cooperation with the democratic Baltic Sea states and emphasised that this cooperation encompasses all areas of society. She pointed out the increased security policy relevance following Russia’s unlawful attack on Ukraine and underlined the need for close cooperation on security issues. “The democratic Baltic Sea Region is one of the most innovative and competitive regions in the world,” explained Minister Martin.

We want to make even greater use of this potential in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Security and protection from the aggressor Russia are very important today. Cooperation in the Baltic Sea region is based on common values such as democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and respect for human rights. Conflicts should be resolved peacefully and with respect for existing borders.

Bettina Martin, Minister for Europe, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

With the MV Baltic Sea Strategy, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern sends a clear signal for cooperation and presenting itself as a driving force for sustainable and innovative solutions in the fields of renewable energies, science and business. The state government has undertaken am number of delegation trips over the past two and a half years and established events such as the “Baltic Sea Business Day”, which attracted around 600 participants in April 2024.

The MV Baltic Sea Strategy

In addition to well-known challenges such as the transition to a climate-friendly economy, the changes due to demographic change and digitalisation, fundamental questions of security and energy supply have been added by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has responded to this by adopting its strategy for cooperation within the democratic Baltic Sea region (“MV Baltic Sea Strategy”) on 16 January 2024. In it, the Land emphasises that the basis for cooperative cooperation are common values such as democracy and the rule of law, peace, the protection of human rights and freedom. The overarching goal of the state government is to develop the Baltic Sea Region into a European model region for innovation, sustainability and resilience – together with the democratic Baltic Sea states.

The strategy is based on a variety of long-standing cooperation projects in the areas of science, private economy, culture and art, sport, youth and as well as on numerous activities within the framework of civil society exchange and city and regional partnerships. The strategy has been developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of Mecklenburg- Vorpommern in close coordination with the State Chancellery and the sectoral ministries.

A very significant contribution was made to this process by the “MV Cooperation Council for the Democratic Baltic Sea Region” (MV-Kooperationsrat demokratischer Ostseeraum, KdO), established by the state government on 31 May 2022. In this advisory body, chaired by Bettina Martin, Minister of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs, and Prof. Dr. Anja Mihr, 29 experts from science, education, the private sector, associations, sports and culture developed 16 recommendations for action and 56 concrete proposals for measures. These were handed over to the Prime Minister on 25 May 2023 and incorporated into the adopted MV Baltic Sea Strategy.

More information

• [in German] Strategie der Landesregierung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern für die Zusammenarbeit im Ostseeraum (MV-Ostseestrategie) (europa-mv.de)
• [in German] MV-Ostseestrategie: starker Auftakt mit internationalen Gästen
• Those interested in Baltic Sea policy and Baltic Sea cooperation are cordially invited to learn more about the progress and activities within the framework of the MV Baltic Sea Strategy. Together we can exploit the potential of the Baltic Sea Region and develop sustainable solutions. If you are interested, please contact: info@mv-ostseestrategie.de

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