The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is an agreement between the Member States of the EU and the European Commission to strengthen cooperation between the countries bordering the Baltic Sea in order to meet the common challenges and to benefit from common opportunities facing the region. The EUSBSR National Coordinators’ Group is chaired by one National Coordinator, and on the 1st of July 2021, the Chair rotated from Germany to Lithuania, and Lithuanian National Coordinator, Robertas Bružilas took the lead.

EUSBSR is the first Macro-regional Strategy in Europe. It is divided into three objectives, which represent the three key challenges of the Strategy: saving the sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity. Each objective relates to a wide range of policies and has an impact on the other objectives. The EU member states involved in the EUSBSR are Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The EUSBSR implementation is coordinated in close contact with the European Commission and all relevant stakeholders, i.e. other member states, regional and local authorities, inter-governmental and non-governmental bodies. The Strategy is also welcoming cooperation with EU neighbouring countries (Russia, Iceland, Norway and Belarus).

Priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency

“We very much appreciate the excellent work done by the German Presidency achievements and will build our activities on these achievements in order to move the EUSBSR agenda forward.” – said Robertas Bružilas Lithuanian National Coordinator

Lithuania starts its Presidency with the motto “Revitalise-Recover-Recharge” and plans to make efforts to further ensure necessary political attention to the EUSBSR. The Lithuanian EUSBSR Presidency wants the EUSBSR to contribute to the post-pandemic recovery of the EU.  Lithuanian Presidency aims at strengthening cooperation among the stakeholders of the EUSBSR and will continue to link up the EUSBSR family. In this context, it is intended to continue the initiative of German colleagues – “Coffee with the Presidency”. This format should further facilitate stronger networking and exchange possibilities between the Policy Areas; provide the Policy Area Coordinators with a platform to present your activities, share experiences and best practices, to demonstrate synergy effects.

Further steps concerning the launch of the Baltic Sea Strategy Point (BSP) as well as successful implementation of the revised EUSBSR Action Plan will be among the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency. The EUSBSR Annual Forum 2021 is expected to be an important milestone of the Lithuanian Presidency. It will take place virtually from 27 September to 1 October 2021.

Source: EUSBSR