Welcome
Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region
Baltic Sea coast, Germany © picture alliance / Zoonar
With the aim of strengthening our joint security in the Baltic Sea Region, Germany cooperates with its neighbours in the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Northern Dimension, as well as other formats.
Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)
On 1 July 2025, Poland took over the CBSS Presidency, which rotates between member states on an annual basis, from Estonia. The Presidency’s top priority is promoting regional security. This includes protecting critical infrastructure and dealing with the Russian shadow fleet. Germany last held the one-year Presidency in 2022/2023.
At the end of Estonia’s Presidency, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna hosted the Ministerial Session of the CBSS in Vihula on the Estonian Baltic Sea coast on 15 and 16 May 2025. One of the main issues discussed at this meeting was how to further strengthen our joint security in the Baltic Sea Region.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States was established in 1992 at the initiative of the Foreign Ministers of Germany and Denmark, in order to stabilise the Baltic Sea Region and support its political and economic transformation. Since its inception, the CBSS has evolved into a broad network of inter-state cooperation in many spheres affecting the Baltic. The CBSS has three long-term priorities:
- fostering regional identity
- developing a sustainable and prosperous region
- creating a safe and secure region.
It comprises eight Baltic Sea coastal states – Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden – as well as Iceland, Norway and the EU. Russia’s membership was suspended in March 2022 in response to its war of aggression against Ukraine. The country subsequently withdrew from the Council in May 2022. The CBSS Secretariat is based in Stockholm.
Further information about the CBSS and its activities can be found at www.cbss.org.
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was launched in 2009 as a pilot project for a new form of cross-border regional cooperation within the EU. It is now one of four macroregional strategies. Its remit is regional strategic planning for the Baltic Sea states, coordinated through the EU. Overall direction is provided by the Council of the European Union; the Strategy and its Action Plan are evaluated every two years. The Action Plan on implementation places a strategic focus on three objectives:
- saving the Baltic sea
- connecting the region
- increasing prosperity
As part of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, an annual forum is held to provide a platform for discussion between the stakeholders involved in implementing the Strategy.
Further information about the Strategy, its implementation and the annual forums can be found at www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu.
Northern Dimension
The Northern Dimension is the framework for regional dialogue and cooperation between four partners – the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland. The EU member states participate in the Northern Dimension through the European External Action Service. In response to Russia’s war of aggression, the EU, Norway and Iceland suspended all activities with Russia and Belarus in a Joint Statement of 8 March 2022. Cooperation in the framework of the Northern Dimension was terminated with the Joint Statement issued by the EU, Norway and Iceland on 24 September 2025.