Paet emphasizes regional cooperation

TALLINN - At the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Kaliningrad, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasized the importance of the regional cooperation of the Baltic Sea countries, as it is essential for the development of the whole region, reports LETA.

When talking about the modernization of the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea region, Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia supports starting a regional cooperation project. “In addition to Kaliningrad, the Council of the Baltic Sea States must also give attention to the other parts of western Russia – Pskov and Leningrad oblasts. Estonia’s upcoming chairmanship, which begins next summer, will definitely give us an opportunity to intensify and further develop cooperation with the aforementioned parts of Russia,” Paet added.

Estonia also supports intensifying cooperation in the education sector.
“Pskov University’s Eurofaculty project, in which Tartu University participates, among others, has been a very positive experience,” said Foreign Minister Paet.

Paet said that work among the various cooperation formats in the Baltic Sea region should be more visible, with roles defined more clearly and activities better coordinated. “2014 will be the Baltic Sea year for Estonia, as we will lead the Council of the Baltic Sea States, be the chairman of Baltic cooperation, and coordinate the work of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). Therefore we will have a clear opportunity to help intensify relations,” he added.
The long-term future priorities of the Council of the Baltic Sea States are matters related to the environment, promoting economic development, energy issues, education and culture, and the safety of civil society.

Russia has been the chairman of the Council of the Baltic Sea States since last July. Russia set as its primary goals promoting cooperation in the area of modernization and innovation, developing the partnership network between the public and private sectors, promoting tolerance in the fight against radicalism and extremism, and promoting contacts among people.

The next chairman of the CBSS will be Finland, who would like to focus on the cohesiveness of the countries’ cooperation and consistent and intensified project-based joint activities.