Stefan Musiolik
Secretary General
BSSSC & Head of Unit for Baltic Sea Region Affairs
Ministry for
Agriculture, Rural Areas, European Affairs and Consumer Protection of Land
Schleswig-Holstein
Germany
stefan.musiolik@mllev.landsh.de
At the beginning of 2024, Schleswig-Holstein took over the chairmanship of the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation (BSSSC) from West Pomerania for two years. Schleswig-Holstein is thus taking responsibility for Baltic Sea policy in difficult times.
As BSSSC is a voluntary network of regions this shows that taking over the lead in this cooperation is a conviction - as resources and time are - as everywhere - a rare commodity. At the same time it is a great opportunity for a small Northern German Land with a long-standing tradition in Baltic Sea Region cooperation
The BSSSC is a political network of the sub-regions of the Baltic Sea States with the key aim to represent the interests of the Baltic Sea Regions (BSR) towards the national level and the EU institutions and to provide a forum for discussion and exchange with other Baltic Sea actors.
It also opens its network for other BSR organizations to become observers on local and regional level. Furthermore, the network is a strategic partner of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and supports project-related cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. The BSSSC thus plays an important role in the Baltic Sea Region in helping the region to flourish, politically, economically and culturally.
Schleswig-Holstein was a founding member of the network in 1993 and has been a member of the political board ever since. It has made a significant contribution to shaping the organization and deepening cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. By taking over the chairmanship at the beginning of 2024, Schleswig-Holstein has a very special responsibility, as the chairmanship is an important driving force in the BSSSC network and plays a key role. The chairperson, Minister for European Affairs Werner Schwarz, is responsible for driving the strategic processes of the network and promoting BSSSC positions towards relevant decision-makers.
Schleswig-Holstein aims at utilizing the BSSSC Annual Conferences under its chairmanship to discuss Baltic Sea policy priorities and activities and make them visible. The aim is to focus the agenda setting of the network on key topics for the region and to equip them with strong political support and extended scope for action.
The key topics on the agenda are pre-delivered by the working groups existing within the BSSSC network such as lobbying for a region-based and fair continuation of cohesion policy after 2027. Our thematic priorities for the BSSSC chairmanship align with the "Kiel Declaration 2030“. These include removing old munitions from the Baltic Sea, expanding renewable energy (especially Offshore wind), and improving sustainable transport, with a focus on rail and hydrogen. Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence are key technologies for these initiatives and must be further developed.
To strengthen democracy, BSSSC is a frontrunner in fostering Baltic Sea youth cooperation and aims at enhancing the quality of life by supporting the regional resilience in particular through culture.
Two examples may illustrate our concrete activities:
- The development of a green
hydrogen economy is subject to two projects run by Schleswig-Holstein:
GREATER4H and H2ignite. It was not by chance that these projects contributed
with an inspiring workshop for the Annual Conference in September 2024 in Kiel.
As part of the GREATER4H project, 14 hydrogen filling stations for heavy-duty
transport are to be built on the corridor from Hamburg to Oslo. This would be
the first corridor of its kind to connect four nation states. In this way, we
are making a tangible contribution to reach the climate goals by 2040 and to
inspire Baltic Sea cooperation in this important field of action.
- The successful initiative “Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls” was invited to prepare a session at the Kiel Conference and even a cultural evening. We are convinced: The power of culture to connect people, strengthen communities and thus make them more resilient to the challenges of our time needs more awareness. The annual awarding of “Baltic Sea Region Cultural Pearls” - first launched in 2024 - is not only a more easily accessible alternative to the “European Capital of Culture” title. It brings Baltic Sea cooperation closer to the people – which is more important than ever.
With these examples, I want to illustrate: it is a mutual give and take for the Land Schleswig-Holstein. Providing content to the network and receiving support, potential further partners and new ideas for enhanced Baltic Sea Cooperation.
But even more so, for Schleswig-Holstein, Baltic Sea Region politics are the crucial tool for international cooperation, a key identity-building measure beyond the own borders and a sign of commitment to peace and stability in the region. Since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Baltic Sea Region cooperation is above all peace policy. The aim is also to make Baltic Sea cooperation and the opportunities and results more visible to all citizens.
The BSSSC chairmanship is in this context a very welcome opportunity for Schleswig-Holstein to be an active part in shaping the hopefully peaceful and prosperous future of the Baltic Sea Region.