Foreign Minister briefing on CBSS Summit agenda [02 Jun 2008]

On 2 June, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins held a press conference, where he informed about the Summit of the Council of the Baltic Sea States taking place on 3 and 4 June in Riga and the priorities of the Latvian presidency at the CBSS. Mr Riekstins voiced the opinion that new forms of co-operation in the region should be debated and considered within the format of the CBSS.

The Foreign Minister noted that one of the priorities of the Latvian CBSS presidency has been education. During its presidency, Latvia held a number of seminars devoted specifically to education issues. Minister Riekstins mentioned that in September 2007, a CBSS high-level meeting on higher education and science, and sustainable development of competitiveness took place. In addition, a conference on adult education in Europe and the Baltic Sea Region was organised in Riga in December 2007, and in February an international conference on inclusive education took place.

As regards the priority of energy, a number of seminars were held dedicated both to nuclear energy infrastructure in the region and to topics related to renewable energy resources. The Latvian Foreign Minister emphasised the significance of a seminar organised in Oslo this February which gathered politicians, field experts, and academics.

As one of the most significant activities pursuing the priority of civil security, Mr Riekstins noted that a successful training course on human trafficking issues was held for consular diplomats and law enforcement agencies from CBSS member states. A similar course was organised for NGO representatives, focussing on the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.

The Foreign Minister briefed on the reform process of the CBSS structure, explaining that the reforms are needed because the CBSS was established in the beginning of 1990s, when the situation was very different when viewed from the perspective of today. The Minister noted that only few of the organisation's member states were in the EU at the time, and that the Baltic states and Poland were only just beginning to formulate their foreign policy objective of entering the EU. "Today, the majority of CBSS member states have joined the EU, and therefore the concerns and priorities of the CBSS need to be redefined," Mr Riekstins stated.

The minister drew particular attention to the project Balticness, a key undertaking under the Latvian presidency which included seminars and round-table debates on topics significant to the Baltic Sea Region, as well as a touring photographic exhibition, and jazz concerts. Throughout the year, Balticness visited each of the 11 member states.

The Minister expressed satisfaction that in consultations with CBSS member states a consensus has been reached on the future priorities of the organisation, which will serve as a basis for the further functioning of CBSS: education, culture, energy, environment, economic growth, and civil security.

Speaking about the approaching CBSS Summit, it was said that 11 member state heads of government, or their representatives, are expected in Riga. The Latvian Foreign Minister revealed that Russia has delegated Igor Shuvalov, the First Deputy Prime Minister, whereas the German delegation will be led by Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It is anticipated that President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs will take part in the Summit. Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of France, the next state to hold the presidency of the EU, has also been invited and is expected to attend the Summit.

Mr Riekstins noted that during the meeting of heads of government, the officials will exchange opinions on future CBSS priorities, as well as key areas of co-operation. Debates on the Baltic Sea Strategy elaborated by the EU are also likely to take place.

At the close of his address to journalists, the Foreign Minister mentioned the business forum for businesspeople which is being held as part of the CBSS, at which a discussion on energy, transport, logistics, and business development trends is planned to take place.

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Audio file of the press conference: in orginal language (8 Mb)| in English (8 Mb)