IN VILNIUS, SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BALTIC SEA STATES DISCUSSED THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANISATION
On 8 September at Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was held after Lithuania took over the Presidency of the organisation, which is composed of 11 Baltic Sea States. Lithuania started its CBSS Presidency in July this year.
Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė gave a welcome speech to the representatives of the states of the region. Ambassador Neris Germanas, the Chairman of the Council of Baltic Sea States Committee of Senior Officials, presided over the meeting.
During the meeting, the most important issues of further activities of the organisation and the priorities outlined by Lithuania’s Presidency of the organisation were discussed. The necessity was emphasized to complete the CBSS reform, after which the organisation would become more pragmatic and more oriented towards the implementation of concrete projects.
Members of the Committee discussed the impact of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region on the activities of the organisation and further actions which would contribute to the implementation of this strategy in practice. Perspectives of the activities of the CBSS in the area of economic cooperation and other issues were also discussed.
Lithuania is holding the Presidency of the CBSS from July this year till June in 2010. Key priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of this organisation are the promotion of innovations, cross-border cooperation and fostering clean environment and safe living conditions in the Baltic Sea Region.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States was established in 1992. Its main goal is to promote the development of the region. Currently, the members of the Council are these eleven states: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. The European Commission also takes part in the activities of this organisation.
The next meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the CBSS will take place on 6–7 October this year in Stockholm.
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