Posts Tagged ‘CBSS’
Council of Baltic Sea States meeting

Security topped the agenda of a discussion Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski had with the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) foreign ministers. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas also joined the videoconference.
Held on 8 December 2025, the meeting had been arranged on the initiative of Poland as part of its current Presidency of the Council. The discussion focused on key regional security issues, including ongoing talks on putting an end to the fighting in Ukraine, as well as the work now under way in the European Union in regard to a reparations loan and the US National Security Strategy.
Poland’s top diplomat stressed that the countries in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe must be engaged in all international talks concerning the region. In that context, the CBSS is a useful cooperation format. The participants agreed on further exchange of information and continued cooperation to support Ukraine. A fair peace is the only solution that may stabilise the situation in Europe. There was general consent that a decision on using the frozen Russian assets will be a pivotal issue in the near future.
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Originally published on 8 Dec
Read MoreCBSS publishes Annual Report of the Estonian CBSS Presidency 2024–2025

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) has published the Annual Report of the Estonian CBSS Presidency 2024–2025, highlighting the key achievements and developments during Estonia’s Presidency of the organisation from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
The report covers contributions from the Estonian Presidency, various CBSS bodies such as expert groups, and projects involving CBSS participation.
The Estonian Presidency focused in particular on strengthening resilience and sustainability in the Baltic Sea Region, with priorities including cooperation in civil protection, the development of a digital twin of the Baltic Sea, and continued work on green shipping corridors.
Read or download the Annual Report of the Estonian CBSS Presidency 2024–2025
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Originally published on 5 Nov
Read MoreCREWS Project Launched to Strengthen Disaster Resilience in the Baltic Sea Region

The CREWS project, which aims to strengthen disaster risk reduction through community engagement and cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, has officially launched with a kick-off meeting in Hamburg-Altona on 27–28 March 2025.
CREWS – or Enhancing Capacities in Disaster Risk Reduction by Facilitating Public-Civil Cooperation – seeks to empower local communities by bridging the gap between formal authorities and civil society actors in disaster management.
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Originally published on 28 Mar
Read MoreRun for a Top Leadership Role in the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum Elections

If you are 16-29 and live or are from the Baltic Sea Region, you are invited to run for a top leadership position in the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), a platform enabling young individuals to shape their future. Registration for the third election cycle is now open. Young individuals and aspiring young leaders can apply until 6 April 2025, with elections taking place online on 24 April 2025.
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Originally published on 12 Mar
Read MoreCBSS Maritime Experts to Discuss Green Shipping Corridors and Digital Twin of the Baltic Sea

On 12 March 2025, maritime experts from CBSS Member States will convene online to discuss the priorities and initiatives of the Estonian CBSS Presidency on Green Shipping Corridors and Digital Twins of the Baltic Sea. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to map current activities on these topics at both national and macro-regional levels in the Baltic Sea Region.
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Originally published on 6 Mar
Read MoreMarkus Helavuori named deputy head of CBSS secretariat

Markus Helavuori has been appointed deputy director general of the CBSS Secretariat.
He has 20 years of experience in policy and regulation at national and international levels. He has been with Helcom since 2018, and is currently the deputy executive-secretary and professional secretary, responsible for matters related to sea-based activities.
In addition working for the IMO, Markus help positions in the Finnish administration for more than seven years, contributing to legislative and policy development and representing Helsinki in international negotiations within the IMO, the EU and Helcom.
Markus holds a master’s degree in environmental and marine biology from Åbo Akademi University.
Marcus begins his new position on 1 April.
Connect with Markus on LinkedIn
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