BSSSC Chairwoman Inese Suija-Markova addresses EU local dialogue on Eastern Border Regions in Olsztyn
On 28–29 April 2026, Chairwoman of the Baltic Sea States Sub regional Co operation (BSSSC) and Chair of the Vidzeme Planning Region, Inese Suija Markova, took part in the EU Local Dialogue in Olsztyn, Poland, where she delivered a keynote address on behalf of BSSSC at the Interreg Europe REGIO SILIENCE conference.
Reflecting on two intensive days of discussions, she emphasised the need to fundamentally change how Europe views and supports its Eastern Border regions. In her speech, Inese Suija‑Markova highlighted that it is time to abandon the long‑standing narrative portraying these regions as lagging, poor or incapable peripheries.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
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In the southern part of the new Riga Central Station building, installation of facade and roof glazing has begun. Final glass installation works in passenger canopy structures above the platforms have also started. It is planned that the glazing works will take approximately 3 – 4 months, depending on weather conditions. As a result, the station building will increasingly take on its intended architectural form, previously seen only in visualizations. The total glazing area of the new station building is 1,500 m².
“This is an important construction stage in the southern part of the Rail Baltica Riga Central Station building, which will significantly transform the station’s visual identity and mark its transition into a modern, European-level transport hub. Full railway system construction will continue in the coming years. It is planned that train traffic will be able to fully use the southern part of the station from summer 2028, while the connection with the Rail Baltica station at the airport is planned for the end of 2029,” said Jānis Naglis, Board Member of SIA “Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas,” the national implementer of Rail Baltica in Latvia.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
Parliamentarians from around the Baltic Sea are meeting in Turku from 3 to 5 May. The Finnish Parliament, Eduskunta, is hosting. The venue is Forum Marinum.
The programme moves between the conference table and the field. On Monday, 4 May, delegates travel to Qvidja research farm in Parainen, where experts speak on the Baltic Sea’s condition, marine hotspots, and regenerative farming. That afternoon, the formal session opens at Forum Marinum. Speakers include General Janne Jaakkola, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces; Professor Henri Vogt of the University of Turku; the Regional Council of Southwest Finland; and Jörgen Pettersson, Speaker of the Åland Parliament and BSPC Rapporteur on Integrated Maritime Policy. On Tuesday, 5 May, delegates visit the West Finland Coast Guard District and sail aboard the patrol vessel Uisko.
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Originally published on 1 May
We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and government representatives of the NB8, met in Kuressaare, Estonia on 29-30 April 2026, at a time of rapid change in the international security environment, with heightened geopolitical tensions, Russia continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, and an urgent need for Europe to step up and take greater responsibility for shaping its future.
Ukraine, firmly anchored in the European family is in the interest of European security and essential for Europe’s future as a geopolitical power and economic actor. Strong partnership with Ukraine, committed to democratic values, human rights and the rule of law, is an investment that benefits us all. We support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full European and Euro-Atlantic integration, including the EU and NATO membership.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
The upcoming Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum 2026, taking place in Lübeck, Germany, from 28 August to 1 September 2026, will bring together around 50 young people from across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond to exchange perspectives, engage directly with decision-makers, and contribute to shaping the future of the region.
The Forum is organised under the Schleswig-Holstein Landtag Presidency of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) by the Schleswig-Holstein Landtag, the BSPC Secretariat and the CBSS Secretariat in collaboration with the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
Five South Korean technology companies have been selected for the Test in Tallinn innovation program and will begin testing their solutions in Tallinn. The selection was made from eight companies that presented their innovation projects to the program’s evaluation committee.
Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan explained that Korean companies participated in the Test in Tallinn innovation program as part of the city’s cooperation with the Seoul Business Agency.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) today publishes its results and financial statements for the 2025 financial year. For the second consecutive year, revenue exceeded SEK 1 billion, underscoring the resilience of CMP’s business in a year marked by geopolitical tension, shifting trade flows and rising demands on security and preparedness.
During 2025, CMP maintained high activity levels, with turnover amounting to MSEK 1,042. Operating profit declined by 22.4 per cent to MSEK 57.3 as a result of deliberate investments in security, resilience and future capacity, reflecting a long‑term focus on reliability, preparedness and sustainable competitiveness*.
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Originally published on 29 Apr
The NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator teams returned to Tallinn for their fourth onsite, bringing 12 dual-use and defence companies into four days of workshops, field visits, scenario-based wargaming, pitch practice and direct ecosystem feedback.
The onsite focused on what happens after a strong technical demo: financial planning, defence sales, operational context, testing options, clearer pitch decks and sharper conversations with potential customers and partners.
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Originally published on 30 Apr
A delegation from VTT at the Quantum Australia Conference to discuss potential areas of collaboration with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, under VTT’s new ‘Quantum Leap’ project. The Quantum Leap project will focus on the practical implementation of quantum computing, including quantum software, error correction and mitigation, and components to make quantum computers more energy efficient, reliable and scalable.
Anu Kärkkäinen, Research Manager at VTT, said that an essential part of the Quantum Leap Project is about building strong networks with global quantum communities: “Quantum technologies are anticipated to provide unprecedented advances in computing, sensing and communications, with the potential to transform business and society globally. By joining forces with CSIRO, VTT aims to accelerate the development and real-world impact of quantum solutions. Collaboration is key to finding new opportunities.”
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Originally published on 30 Apr
Estonian energy startup MarkeDroid has entered the Swedish flexibility market through a partnership with Flower — giving solar and battery owners new opportunities.
Estonian smart energy management company MarkeDroid has entered the Swedish market through a new partnership with Flower, a Stockholm-based provider of flexibility services, says the official press-release. Previously, the company has already added North America to its coverage through a partnership, and also scored among Latitude59 Pitch Competition 2025 winners, securing €175K from Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN).
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Originally published on 28 Apr
Infrastructure projects across Central and Eastern Europe are expected to benefit at least €2 billion of new investment following a new partnership announced today between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and national promotional institutions from five EU countries at the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Croatia. The initiative will mobilize public money for a broad range of infrastructure investment funds operating across the region.
The EIF, together with national institutions from Poland (BGK), Romania (BID), Lithuania (ILTE), Croatia (HBOR) and Slovenia (SID Banka), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the initiative later this year. Bulgaria has also pledged support to the initiative, through the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Other Three Seas Initiative countries are expected to join after the new fund of funds is launched.
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Originally published on 28 Apr