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On 17 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, opening a round-table seminar of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Stockholm, emphasised that there are four priorities in regional co-operation: environment, energy, economy, and education.
Introducing the discussion, the Foreign Minister noted that in order to guarantee competitive growth, it is crucial to pay attention to the development of human resources, investment into education, science, and creative industries.
Mr Riekstins accentuated the necessity to advance the energy infrastructure of the Baltic Sea Region between the Baltic states and the rest of the EU in order to increase energy security.
Touching upon economy, the Minister stressed promotion of trade and attraction of investment, as well as the significance of innovation and new technologies in guaranteeing competitiveness. "The governments of the Baltic Sea Region states should maintain frequent and constructive dialogue with business representatives in order to foster development of the business environment," stated Mr Riekstins.
As to environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea Region, the Foreign Minister mentioned the necessity for the existing co-operation institutions in the region to work jointly.
Expressing satisfaction about the support received from the Council of the European Union for the development of a Baltic Sea Region strategy by June 2009, the Minister noted that the future development of Europe is to a large extent based on its regions.
Mr Riekstins also highlighted Russia's role in the Baltic Sea Region and emphasised the significance of EU-Russia dialogue in the development of the EU strategy.
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