Business, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia, Markets and Companies

Maris Riekstins.

As part of their discussions, the ministers reviewed the results achieved in the area of regional cooperation during the Danish presidency, granted new countries the status as observers to the council, thus further enlarging the organization, as well as set new priorities, LETA was informed by the Foreign Ministry's press center.

In his address, Riekstins emphasized that the capabilities by the CBSS to move forward the initiated reforms, and its readiness to focus efforts on key priorities, will be a significant contribution to the competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region, when facing future challenges.

The Latvian foreign minister noted in particular the need for regional cooperation and the dialogue in the energy sector, which is one of the CBSS's long term priorities. Riekstins indicated that the declaration on the single Baltic energy market signed recently by the prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Russia, as well as the development of a unified Baltic energy market interconnection plan, are significant tools for the integration of the Baltic and Nordic energy markets.

The CBSS and other regional organizations should pay greater attention to raising competitiveness, enhancing the business environment and economic cooperation in the region as well as to the improvement of cross-border infrastructure and to the issues of civil security, including crime prevention, Riekstins emphasized.

From July 1, Belarus, Spain and Romania are to become observers to the CBSS.

Lithuania will take over the CBSS Presidency from Denmark on July 1. As its priorities, Lithuania has proposed innovation, cross-border cooperation, security in the Baltic Sea Region and environmental issues, as well as an active involvement of the Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus in the implementation of the region's joint priorities.

On June 3, the CBSS Ministerial Session in Elsinore was also attended by former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga as a guest of honor, who spoke in her address about past challenges and future prospects for the Baltic Sea countries.