Sur(f)plus Value Baltic Sea
EU Baltic Sea Strategy – and Russia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The European Union considers the Baltic Sea to be an inland sea. Eight of the countries located around it belong to the EU, but they are marked by great disparities. The Baltic is threatened by overuse. In June 2009, the European Commission submitted a draft Baltic Sea strategy, which the European Parliament and European Council have passed. The goal of this policy is to boost security and the sea’s ecological quality and to promote the prosperity of the region. Now 160 projects are to be realised. Success will depend on whether it is possible to integrate the ninth country on the Baltic: Russia. So far, there is no sustainable concept. This weakens the EU and raises doubts as to whether the Baltic Sea strategy can be realised.
(Osteuropa 11/2009, pp. 71–88)