Issues concerning the Baltic Sea region are accorded special significance among the functions of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Ministry contributes to the promotion of the welfare and success of the region by means of bilateral, regional and international cooperation. While it has been more widely recognised that the ecological status of the Baltic Sea is poor, cooperative efforts to respond to the challenges have increased.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs takes an active part in the development of the national Baltic Sea policy and its coordination with the views of other international actors with an interest in the Baltic Sea.The Baltic Sea is important for Finland both as an ecosystem and as a transport corridor. The Sea carries significant environmental value but, as a result of decades of neglect, its state is now very poor. Compared with other seas, the Baltic Sea is very shallow and exchange of water takes place slowly. All the countries bordering the Baltic Sea have become aware of the vulnerability of the Sea and undertaken to improve its state by participating in the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action (2007).
The current developments in the Baltic Sea region involve growing trade and transport, increasingly free mobility of labour and search for common interests in the development of transport and energy solutions. The main part of Finland's foreign trade travels via the Baltic Sea. Economic growth and concentration of oil transports on bottom of the Gulf of Finland have significantly boosted sea transport. It is essential that the states bordering the Baltic Sea engage in joint efforts to improve security in the region.
Finland pursues a policy which aims at the adoption of common goals and commitment to joint action. This takes place by means of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, active exercise of influence in the key organisations and forums as well as use of the existing structures and policy programmes, such as the Northern Dimension Action Plan.
The EU is preparing a strategy for the Baltic Sea. In Finland, matters related to the Baltic Sea are subject to dynamic national discussion. In accordance with the Government Programme, "the Government advocates strengthening of the importance of the Baltic Sea region within the EU and will endeavour to streamline the structure of the regional networks of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and in the northern regions."
Russia's participation in the Baltic Sea cooperation is critical in many ways, and it has recently expressed more active commitment to the work than before. Strengthening of the EU's role in the cooperation will enhance the appeal of the region in the Russians' eyes. The development of Baltic Sea cooperation within the EU in the context of the Baltic Sea strategy initiative, HELCOM, CBSS and the Northern Dimension will support and complement each other.
Finland's key objective is to ensure that the opportunities offered by the EU are used more effectively in matters related to the Baltic Sea. The EU has jurisdiction in questions related to the environment and protection of the sea, traffic and logistics as well as energy and internal affairs. However, making use of the potential and opportunities calls for closer cooperation between the Commission and the Baltic Sea States. The EU's Baltic Sea strategy could, at best, serve as an instrument that deepens and promotes this cooperation.
