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Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) begins on 1 July. Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas will be the Chairman of the CBSS during the Presidency. According to Minister V.Ušackas, the aims of the Lithuanian Presidency of the CBSS include the strengthening of cooperation of the Baltic Sea states. It has been given a new impetus when the European Union’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea region was recently presented and the Swedish EU Presidency which starts on 1 July.

“The Baltic Sea region has to become a venue of an open and creative cooperation. This is the motto for our Presidency. We will aim at lifting barriers for the cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, we will encourage more freedom of movement of people and the exchange of ideas. Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus has to become full-fledged members of the Baltic Sea region,” said Minister V.Ušackas.

Cooperation in the area of innovations should help the Baltic Sea region to become the most open, the most progressive and the most competitive part of Europe.

The Baltic Sea region is one of most dynamic and modern regions in Europe, however it is also one of the most vulnerable ones. According to Minister V.Ušackas, the states of the region have to pursue a safe and clean environment, ecological and social security, because this is our commitment to future generations.

On 1-2 July 2010 in Vilnius, a CBSS meeting of Prime Ministers will be held. At the same time, a Business Summit along with the Baltic Development Forum is scheduled to be organised.

“The Business Summit is sort of regional “Davos Forum”. We are planning to attract about 600 politicians, businessmen and members of academia from all the Baltic Sea states,” said Minister V.Ušackas.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States was established in 1992. Its main goal is to stimulate the development of the region.

Currently there are 11 member states of the CBSS: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. The European Commission also participates in the activities of the Council.

Lithuania holds the Presidency of the CBSS for the second time. On 1 July 2010, the Presidency will be handed over to Norway.

Marking the beginning of the Presidency of the CBSS, the flag of the CBSS will be hoisted on the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.