Lithuania hosts EU strategy seminar

VILNIUS - Members of a seminar on EU policy in Vilnius have called for "political support, commitment at all levels of governance and ensured financing" for the successful implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

“If we look at the goals set by the Strategy – competitiveness, infrastructure, environment, safety and security – it is clear that the notable results in these areas cannot be achieved overnight and that the implementation of the Strategy will be a long and difficult process," said chair of the National Commission for the Supervision of the Implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Asta Skaisgiryte Liauskiene.

For all that, it is very important to go increasingly to action seeking for concrete and tangible results,” she said.

A wide range of economists and officials attended the event, including Representatives from the European Commission, European Investment Bank, Nordic Investment Bank, the North Eastern European section of the EU's INTERACT programme that supports the implementation of regional cooperation projects, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Participants of the seminar discussed how national action programmes of the EU’s structural funds and the programmes of territorial cooperation respond to the objectives of the EU’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, as well as how international financial institutions contribute to the funding of the Strategy’s implementation. Model projects of the Strategy were presented and participants shared experience on research and innovations, small and medium sized businesses, transportation, energy, tourism, health and education.