Published in the Estonian Daily Eesti Paevaleht on 7 February 2004

When the Prime Ministers of the Baltic Sea Region meet in Tallinn in June, eight of its eleven member countries will by then belong to the European Union. The mutual integration of the Nordic countries, the Baltic Sea region and Europe could impact on our region positively by helping to even out differences and turn it into one of Europe's most developed regions, into both an Ecoregion and a joint investment area.

The creation of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) 12 years ago was both a wise and visionary step. Much has been achieved thanks to this organisation.

Regional trade and investment has increased dramatically. Everyday life has improved thanks to the fight against organised crime. A special CBSS task force has been set up to further joint operative police work. And the spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis has been fought through more than one hundred key projects. Higher education in key faculties has been upgraded in the universities of Riga, Tartu, Vilnius and Kaliningrad thanks to the Eurofaculty. Most importantly, democratic institutions in the region have reached a level of maturity allowing the CBSS to scale down its work in this area.

Much more work, however, is needed. The CBSS must be ready to meet new challenges. One important area will be the promotion of development projects for local governments on both sides of the new EU border with Russia. Effective joint action in the fight against human trafficking is also important. The CBSS should also help further reforms in higher education and help spread the use of IT in Northwest Russia.

The incoming new members of the European Union have benefited immensely from co-operation with the Nordic countries. This co-operation started in the 1990s, even before they regained their independence, with the Nordic Council of Ministers' bold decision to open information offices in the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian capitals. Today, Nordic-Baltic ministers meet to discuss a variety of issues affecting our everyday lives, such as drugs and trafficking. Soon another historic step will be taken when the Nordic Investment Bank will be extended to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This bank has played an important role in the development of the Baltic countries. A week from now they will be part owners.

The Lisbon strategy is at the core of the European Union's effort to tackle Europe's economic, demographical and environmental challenges with the aim to promote sustainable development. The recent economic slowdown makes it even more important to forcefully pursue reforms. Significant progress has been made but we need to step up our efforts if we are to attain the goals set for 2010.

Reinforced efforts are needed to boost investments in knowledge. The creation of a true internal market for trade in services holds major potential welfare gains. Environmental policy does not only promote a healthy environment, it can also be a driving force for growth and employment as clean technologies are vital in fully exploiting synergies between enterprise and the environment. These are areas that we believe should be addressed at the forthcoming Spring European Council.

In the enlarged European Union, co-operation in different country groupings will become increasingly important. These groupings will be based on mutual interests on particular subject matters. Co-operation on a local level will also become increasingly important. Our countries already share many common issues and interests. Informal consultations on EU matters already take place between Baltic and Nordic EU members. Nordic and Baltic Prime Ministers meet before EU summits to identify areas of common interest, express opinions and exchange views. This makes us stronger together in the Union.

A good example is maritime safety. Last year the Nordic and Baltic Prime Ministers sent a joint letter to the EU Presidency and the President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi to highlight the sensitive situation of the Baltic Sea, especially from the point of view of oil pollution, and to press for action. Irreparable damage to our marine environment must be avoided. Decisions taken by theso-called Helsinki Commission are important, but not enough. Therefore, eight of the nine coastal states also asked the International Maritime Organisation to classify almost the whole Baltic Sea area as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).

The letter made clear that the European Union has an important role to play. The EU moved forward its deadline for the phasing out of single hull tankers from 2015 to 2010. But the Commission should go further and include the forthcoming Helsinki recommendation on safety of winter navigation when it prepares much needed new EC legislation on maritime safety. Moreover, action by the EU alone is not enough. Russia should join forces and agree to both PSSA designation and the accelerated phasing out of single hull tankers.

Russia is becoming an integrated part of the larger region, in part thanks to the CBSS. While the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement remains the basis for EU-Russia relations, close co-operation also takes place within the EU Northern Dimension framework and other relevant EU-instruments. This co-operation will bring great political and economic benefits to both sides by fostering growth, reform and mutual confidence. Russian membership in the World Trade Organization would be a further step forward.