News

The Heads of Government and other high-level representatives of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the President of the European Commission gathered in Vilnius on 1-2 June 2010 for the 8th Baltic Sea States Summit.

The Summit stated its conviction that the Baltic Sea Region, on the basis of

-  respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law,

-  active civil societies,

-  increasingly integrated and interdependent economies,

-  developed social dialogue and social cohesion,

has the potential to become one of the most prosperous, innovative and competitive regions in the world, using the strengths of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and other existing Baltic Sea regional cooperation frameworks.

The Summit made a strong political commitment to turn into reality the following Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2020:

The Region has a well-balanced intergovernmental structure for political dialogue and practical cooperation.

The Baltic Sea is regaining its ecological health, with its littoral States playing a leading and exemplary role in dealing with the environmental challenges.

Marked progress has been achieved in fostering investment-friendly economies and innovation driven production.

Using the potential of public-private partnerships and driven by a common understanding, the public sector and the business community take a shared responsibility for sustainable development.

Regional economic growth benefits from an integrated maritime policy and well-interconnected transport networks.

All countries in the Region enjoy the results of integrated energy markets, improved energy efficiency and extended use of clean and renewable energy.

The people of the Region benefit from positive dynamics of socio-economic development, ensuring good public health and social well-being.

The countries of the Region are effectively reducing unemployment, social exclusion and inequality in the labour market.

The Region benefits from advanced regional networks built on active application of information technologies.

The people of the Region are experiencing a steady progress in combating terrorism, in enhancing the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure and in fighting organized crime, especially trafficking in human beings, including children, and in illegal drugs.

A strong regional identity is emerging, fostered by research, education, culture, and the common heritage of the region.

The Region benefits from promotion of tolerance and extended people-to-people contacts.

The Summit expressed its gratitude to Lithuania for its Presidency of the CBSS during 2009-2010, and welcomed Norway as the incoming Presidency for 2010-2011.

The Summit welcomed the invitation from Germany to host the 9th Baltic Sea States Summit in June 2012.

Done in Vilnius, 2 June 2010