Commission staff working document

Introduction

This action plan presents a set of priority areas identified in the preparation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region¹. The plan may be updated regularly as the region and its context develops, following an agreement among the Priority Area Coordinators, the Member States and the European Commission. The present version represents the December 2010 update of the Action Plan published by the Commission in June 2009.

While the strategy is a strategy of the European Union it is clear that many of the issues can only be addressed in constructive cooperation with our external partners in the region, and in particular Russia. However, the strategy cannot dictate action to third parties: rather it indicates issues on which cooperation is desirable and proposes fora where this discussion and cooperation would take place. As the European Council conclusions noted, the Northern Dimension, a common policy of the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland, provides the basis for these external aspects of the strategy. There are other fora which will be useful in this regard such as the EU-Russia common spaces². Cooperation with other international bodies (such as for instance the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), the Nordic Council of Ministers or the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)) will be without prejudice to their respective decision-making mechanisms.

The Action Plan comprises 15 priority areas which represent the main areas where the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region can contribute to improvements (either through tackling the main challenges or through seizing the main opportunities). Coordination of each priority area should normally be allocated to a Member State which would work on its implementation, in close contact with the Commission, with all stakeholders involved, especially other Member States, but also Regional and Local Authorities, Inter-Governmental and Non-Governmental Bodies. In addition, coherence with the Integrated Maritime Policy will be assured.

The priority areas are organised into four thematic ‘pillars’ and one horizontal section. It is important to appreciate, however, that this is only for ease of analysis. In fact, every pillar relates to a wide range of policies and will have impacts on the other pillars: they are interlinked and interdependent. Each priority area starts with a presentation of the issue providing background information on the topic. Then, the hotspots (main problems) are indicated and the added value of the action for the Baltic Sea Region is presented.

The priority areas are implemented through detailed actions which are explained. Some actions are strategic for the Baltic Sea Region as they are designed to address specific and important issues for its regions, citizens and enterprises. Others are cooperative, meaning they are based on the benefits in improving cooperation on issues where Member States and stakeholders are ready to do so. In some cases, actions might require a change in the policy orientation or (rarely) national legislation of the Member States in the Baltic Sea Region. In others, they require financing which could be provided by private or public funding (EU, national, regional or local funds). All actions should be understood without prejudice to the existing exclusive Community competences.

In addition, examples of flagship projects i.e. projects with high significance are presented. These should have a responsible lead partner as well as a deadline for implementation. Some flagship projects may be launched and implemented relatively rapidly and are labelled ‘fast track’.

In a number of cases, the objective of the detailed actions in the action plan is to highlight priority areas of activity which are already identified or even in progress within the EU system or in other international frameworks, but which require enhanced efforts of coordination within the Baltic Sea Region and coherent funding strategies as a condition to success in the implementation. The Strategy provides a unique opportunity in this respect. Enhanced efforts through the action plan should be carried out in close coordination with any such ongoing developments (in particular new regulations), including at EU level, to ensure coherence and efficiency.

The still on-going economic crisis affects the actions and flagship projects presented in each section of this Action Plan. This implies a less-favourable climate for investment, affecting both public sectors and private business generally. This makes it all the more essential that the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region allows the partners in the region to take a longer perspective, recognising that when this crisis has passed the regions that have best prepared will be those best equipped to take advantage of the new opportunities and innovations.

The European Commission considers the proposed actions to be important and suggests that the crisis is used as an opportunity to review the priorities of Member States. In particular, it is an opportunity to pay special attention to the quality of life of citizens which requires a sustainable environment. In addition, the crisis may change the focus of enterprises who may consider it wise to seize the business opportunities of the future in the ‘green businesses’. Moreover, the actions proposed could form part of any national recovery packages as they are likely to create jobs during implementation (e.g. transport and energy infrastructures) and afterwards through an increased accessibility and attractiveness of the region thereby creating economic growth.