Bernd
Jorkisch
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Finland in Lübeck
Doyen Consular Corps Schleswig-Holstein
Germany
The European Union identified the Baltic Sea Region as a region for special development back in 2009, when it committed to recognising the region’s growing importance and developing a macro-strategy for the region. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region aims to identify the top-priority issues faced by the region and tackle them with concerted action. Billions have been invested to improve the environment, education, economy, infrastructure and security. The strategy incorporates three main policy aims: 1. Saving the Baltic Sea 2. Connecting the region 3. Increasing prosperity. The unwavering commitment demonstrated by the Baltic Sea states can be described as the path towards the Hanseatic League of the 21st century.
During its one-year presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States held until 30 June 2023, Germany focused on the following topics along with ceasing relations with Russia and Belarus in response to the unjustified aggression towards the independent nation of Ukraine: Promoting offshore wind energy, removing dumped munitions and improving youth participation in the Baltic Sea Region. The members of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region codified the need to expand offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea to enhance security in the Berlin Declaration. One of the objectives is to produce seven times the amount of offshore wind power in the Baltic Sea by 2030. At present, 400,000 tonnes of conventional munition from both world wars lie at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Dumped munitions in the Baltic Sea present a major environmental risk and finding a solution is only possible in cooperation between the different member states. Germany has already established a programme to salvage old munitions in the North and Baltic Seas with an initial funding amount of EUR 100 million. The German Federal Foreign Office also supports the establishment of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), which develops and organises various forms of youth participation in order to ensure the younger generation is more closely involved in solving the problems faced in the Baltic Sea Region. During Finland's one-year presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region held until 30 June 2024, work continued on the aim of preserving the Baltic Sea in terms of its strategic importance and as a lifeline for its member states.
Fehmarn Belt fixed link – the emergence of a new Hanseatic League
On 3 September 2008, Denmark and Germany signed a treaty for the construction of the Fehmarn Belt fixed link. At almost 18 kilometres in length, the immersed tunnel will connect Scandinavia to the European mainland and strengthen trade in the future. As the largest infrastructure project in Northern Europe, the Fehmarn Belt link will form part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) – making it a highly important project for the European Union. Economic development, prosperity in the Baltic Sea Region and connecting people are the primary objectives behind this infrastructural endeavour. In other words, Europe plans to continue growing together. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2029. The Fehmarn Belt fixed link will create a new European axis for the future between the metropolitan areas of Hamburg and Copenhagen/Malmö – opening the door to new opportunities for positive economic and social development. The Fehmarn Belt tunnel marks the pivotal physical step towards the achievement of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor, which has long been the aspiration of the European Union.
North German initiatives for Baltic Sea partnership
In their capacity as logistics hubs for the Baltic Sea with their busy ports, two northern German states have formulated strategies for partnership among the Baltic Sea member states. Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein Daniel Günther announced a new focus for Baltic Sea policy in his government declaration ‘Schleswig-Holstein's prospects for prosperity, climate protection and innovation in the Baltic Sea region of opportunity’ on 28 October 2021. Schleswig-Holstein considers the Baltic Sea Region to be a region of opportunity. Economic partnership, climate protection, marine conservation, artificial intelligence and cooperation in the scientific and cultural arenas are all items on the agenda. The Kiel Declaration for a ‘Sustainable and prosperous Baltic Sea Region by 2030’ was adopted at the international Baltic Sea Region Future Forum held on 26 August 2022 in Kiel with 120 experts from the Baltic Sea states in attendance. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Minister-President Manuela Schwesig welcomed the completion of an extensive summary report compiled by the Cooperation Council for the Democratic Baltic Sea Region on 25 May 2023, which contained recommended actions for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s new Baltic Sea strategy. Peace, democracy, sustainability, environmental and climate protection were given just as much emphasis as future viability, prosperity and health.
The Baltic Sea Region is Europe’s region of the future and a pioneer in the green transformation!