Baltic co-operation brings participants from the EU and the Nordic Region together in Jurmala, Latvia

The theme of the conference, ‘Achieving e-Quality by Connecting the Region’ is based on the Latvian presidency programme and focuses primarily on how the digitisation of the various functions of society not only changes the lives of those living in the region, but also makes their lives easier.

The extensive activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers in the Baltic region encompass the five Nordic countries, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland, and also extend to Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia where the Council of Ministers has offices, as well as to Germany, Poland and Russia by way of co-operation networks.  The Nordic Council of Ministers’ strategy for Baltic co-operation has been prepared in line with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

The Council of Ministers’ primary focus areas have so far related to the bioeconomy, innovation and culture. Successful efforts to find sustainable solutions within the marine environment, fisheries and agriculture are continuing. Additionally, co-operation in the field of innovative solutions to increase the region’s economic competitiveness will be intensified over the coming years. These efforts will be conducted under the guidance of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

In the field of culture, the “Culturability” programme has highlighted different ways of combining culture and sustainable development, for instance as part of urban planning and within the fashion industry.

“Development in the Baltic has a direct impact on development in the Nordic Region,” Kenneth Broman, Chief of Staff at the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, points out. “For this reason, it’s natural for the Nordic Council of Ministers to maintain a high profile in Baltic co-operation.”

The EUSBSR conference is being held in Jurmala and is one of the most important events of the Latvian presidency of the EU.