Download Seminar report - Perspectives for EU

7th Strategy Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region - Vision 2030
Seminar Report
Title of Seminar: Perspectives for EU-Russia cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region
Name of Seminar Organiser: HAC Neighbours
Name of Seminar Rapporteur: Fatima Sow
Date: 09th November, 2016
Time: 10:40 to 12:30hrs
Venue: Riddarsalen, The Brewery conference Centre, Stockholm.
SUMMARY:
Nowadays, neighbours are becoming more important than relatives, and Russia is the biggest neighbour to
the European Union (EU). The cooperation of all partners in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) is needed to tap
the full potential of the region. The BSR wants to remain a wealthy region but globalisation is chipping in.
Right now there is the Asian century and there will be an African century. Cooperation is needed if the BSR
is to remain competitive. The BSR must be kept as a region of peace. It is imperative to solve conflict in the
region and reach agreements. Dialogue, which leads to concrete actions that facilitate a more integrated
approach, has to be embraced because there exists mixed opinions on different things. For this reason,
military buildup, among other things, should be held in check to avoid tension in the region. A favourable
environment is being created when BSR goals that are common to both Russia and the EU are implemented.
Russia and the EU countries do not only have similar interests but face similar challenges. There is the
common problem of climate change (such as the omission of black carbon in the arctic sea) and having an
aging population. Concrete action is needed because areas where the problem lies are known. The best most
proven way is cooperation between the EU and the Northern regions. Migration means open and less open
economies in the region are becoming more and more interrelated and better dialogue on this should be done.
There are many areas of cooperation including: logistics (such as investment in infrastructure for electricity),
transport and communication; research, especially one that requires huge resources; cooperation between
educational institutions; people-to-people contact, especially among the youth and across the boarders; and
business development within the possibilities that exist today, due to geopolitics. Due to the sanctions
present, there is need to find alternatives. There is need for better dialogue, cooperation in a pragmatic
manner and ensuring the participation of different actors such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Many other areas of cooperation exist using the BSR strategy, Russian strategies such as the All Russia
Forum Strategy 2017 and the European Neighbourhood which is a great way to achieve success with great
Nordic runners in the region. The North-Western Strategy and the EU Strategy are in line with some of
Russia’s strategies. The Council of the Baltic Sea should implement common flagships/ strategies in
cooperation with Russia. Suffice to say that Russia, just like the EU, is already working towards some of the
priorities of the BSR as they appear and/or fit into its own strategic plans.
There is need to have a common view of implementation. This can be achieved through: having joint action
plans as there are a lot of resources on both the EU and Russian side to facilitate the coordination of
strategies; coordination of action plans; the creation of sectorial programmes; content formation for RussiaEU partnership; and the selection of preferred projects. Many opportunities and instruments are already in
place, they just have to ‘be used’! For instance, cooperation already exists between different universities.
Before 2010, there were strong cooperations between the EU and Russia. Despite the crisis (but then
‘because of the crisis’) there is need to intensify that cooperation again. Common interests and challenges
create a platform for cooperation between the EU and Russia. We should, however, not use cooperation to
change societies. Let Russia work on its own strategies that relate to the BSR Strategy and vice versa for the
EU. Desired results can be achieved through different indicators if mutual interests and benefits are explored.
Macro economic strategies must be linked in this cooperation, as the EU and Russia plan common
programmes. Trust has to be built and feature more prominently than it does now. We do not need to wait for
a better time, we can create the better times. One region, one future. A future that is shared with all mankind.