The Polish Presidency in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (1.07.2024-30.06.2025) and the following Presidency in the Council of the Baltic Sea States (which began on 1 July 2025) came at time of a disruptive, far-reaching geopolitical changes for the Baltic Sea region.
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has profoundly impacted regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, prompting a significant re-evaluation of the EU and regional strategic priorities and goals. The evolving security landscape underscores the importance of building long-term resilience through a holistic, society-wide approach, in order to enhance regional stability and adaptability. Increased hybrid and disinformation activities, targeted in particularly acute way the Baltic Sea region, require a comprehensive response that goes beyond the traditional understanding of security.
Contemporary threats are often aimed at undermining mutual trust and understanding, also in the regional dimension. Both the EUSBSR and the CBSS have contributed over the years to creating strong regional bonds and effective networks. This is exactly what allows us today to face unexpected challenges with a sense of community. The remarkable intensification of dialogue among Baltic Sea countries, convergent approach on security and development of the region, provides excellent basis for intensified bilateral and regional cooperation. We are forming a like-minded group, especially in key foreign policy issues after the Russian aggression.
Support to Ukraine become a solid cement for our regional cooperation. Strengthening cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries and Ukraine is one of the crucial components of this effort and should be further developed within the EUSBSR as well as the CBSS. We can see the increased interest among Baltic Sea organizations in expanding their cooperation with Ukrainian entities, based on mutual benefits. It is also a useful tool of gaining experience the Ukrainian road to European integration. One of the most successful examples of such cooperation is the Baltic Sea Region Cultural Pearls project – cooperation between the region’s and Ukrainian municipalities.
The Polish EUSBSR Presidency remained committed to ensuring efficient implementation of the three overall objectives of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: Save the Sea, Connect the Region and Increase Prosperity. We especially focused on ensuring the smooth update of the EUSBSR Action Plan to tailor the document to current challenges. Our years’ work brought a lot of foods for thought and showed a need for non-schematic solutions and activities, also in in the crucial sphere of including youth perspective into our everyday work.
The Polish CBSS Presidency continue the practical cooperation undertaken and built on achievements of the previous presidencies, in line with the CBSS long-term priorities: Safe and Secure Region, Sustainable and Prosperous Region and Regional Identity. We have took the challenge to proceed with the reflection process on main findings and recommendations presented by the High-level Wise Persons nominated in accordance with the Porvoo Declaration of 14th June 2024. Their report adequately reflected the need to significantly reform and refocus the CBSS in order to effectively meet the challenges of the new security environment.
Poland highly values the cooperation within the CBSS, as well as in the framework of four CBSS working groups. During the Polish Presidency in our everyday work we are focusing on activities related to strengthening preparedness and resilience building in the Baltic Sea region, with the aim to develop a strong common societal security culture. The priority is given inter alia to development of local and regional task forces as part of the anti-trafficking system (with a special focus on minors) and preventing forced labour. We are also continuing the work of the previous presidencies in the area of green shipping corridors.
As a parallel process, we launched the discussion aimed to strengthen the political pillar of the organization towards a more focused approach on regional security. Given the fact, that all the CBSS countries are now the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members, it appears natural to use the CBSS as a useful space for discussing pressing security issues in the region, complementary to NATO and its structures, also on ad-hoc basis. That is why the Polish Presidency proposes to use the CBSS structures to contribute to a better coordination in such areas as protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region as well as countering the shadow fleet.
The Baltic Sea serves as a gateway to the global market. It also remains a vital component of many countries’ energy security. This is why unhindered passage of ships, respect for international law, and compliance with international norms by those accessing the Baltic Sea are crucial. At the same time, the Baltic Sea is emerging as a hub for offshore energy production, with several projects already under construction. These offshore energy initiatives – along with projects for offshore carbon capture and storage – also contribute to the region’s energy transition. In this context, we must not forget that the Baltic is a natural reservoir requiring protection, with its environment and biodiversity demanding our constant attention and care.
The specific nature of the Baltic Sea requires a specific approach, discussed and worked out first among countries of the region – neighbours and closest allies. The Council of the Baltic Sea States, bringing together all of them, seem to be the most relevant tool here. We should not hesitate to use it.
Katarzyna Barcikowska
Chair of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Poland
