THE COUNCIL OF THE BALTIC SEA STATES: A FORUM FOR POLITICAL DIALOGUETerms of Reference:“The CBSS encompasses all multilateral intergovernmental regional cooperation in areas agreed by its Members and serves as a forum for political dialogue. It also fosters practical cooperation in the region and acts as a focal point of information and coordination.”‣Established in 1992 by a Ministerial Declaration‣10 Member States and the European Union (Russia was suspended and withdrew in 2022)‣10 Observer States‣Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and run by a Permanent International Secretariat (est. 1998)VIHULA DECLARATION 16 MAY 2025On 16 May 2025, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, the member states of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, met in Vihula, Estonia, and agreed on the following: 1. We welcomed the report presented by Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mr Gabrielius Landsbergis, nominated as high-level Wise Persons in accordance with the Porvoo Declaration of 14 June 2024. We agreed that the Wise Persons report adequately reflects the need to significantly reform and refocus the CBSS in order to effectively meet the challenge of the new security environment. This should happen through strengthening dialogue and cooperation on security, complement the work done in other relevant organisations, while avoiding unnecessary duplication. We endorse the spirit of the report, and we hereby resolve and encourage the Presidency and the Secretariat to continue a process by which the workings of the Council are refocused accordingly.PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN THE COUNCIL OF THE BALTIC SEA STATES 2025–2026•The Polish Presidency aims to continue the practical cooperation undertaken and built on achievements of the previous presidencies, in line with the CBSS long-term priorities: 1) Safe and Secure Region, 2) Sustainable and Prosperous Region and 3) Regional Identity. •There is a need to strengthen the political pillar of the organization towards a more focused approach on regional security. •Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and increased hybrid and disinformation activities, targeted in particularly acute way the Baltic Sea region, require a comprehensive response that goes beyond the traditional understanding of security. •The aim of Polish Presidency is to continue efforts to support Ukraine – - CBSS observer country - and increase Ukraine’s involvement.•The aim is to establish a common active approach to facilitate immediate regional coordination of incident response and a common interpretation of international law and harmonization of national legislations. •An important aspect is also ensuring resilience to GPS jamming and spoofing, one of the tools of hybrid threats. •The intention is to coordinate CBSS actions in three dimensions: A)strengthening the requirements for mandatory reporting of insurance for ships passing through the Baltic Sea; B)imposing restrictive measures on the entire ecosystem of the shadow fleet;C)intensifying outreach to the flag states. COORDINATION IN THE AREA OF PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND COUNTERING THE SHADOW FLEET IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION•The Civil Protection Network focuses on strengthening preparedness in the Baltic Sea region - resilience building, focused at strengthening the population’s risk awareness, building sense of integrity and trust in the Baltic Sea region: the basis for a strong, common societal security culture.•The Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings focuses on identifying and preventing forced labour. A training courses based on the "Handbook for Embassies and Diplomatic Missions on How to Assist and Protect Victims of Human Trafficking" will be organised. •The Expert Group on Children at Risk focuses on identifying trafficking cases involving minors. The potential use of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, as a tool to prevent the online recruitment of children by traffickers will also be explored.SAFE AND SECURE REGION•The Polish Presidency strives for innovation and cooperation in new energy technologies, taking into account the key importance of the Baltic Sea for the energy security in the region.•The Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy is continuing the work of the previous presidencies in the area of green shipping corridors. Recognising the Estonian Presidency efforts on the digital twin for the Baltic Sea region, we focus on exploring the possibilities of cooperation in the area of collection and exchange of maritime data. •During its tenure Poland would also like to continue discussion on the unexploded ordnance dumped in the Baltic Sea, with a view to explore whether there is support for establishing constant dialogue for a comprehensive action.SUSTEINABLE AND PROSPEROUS REGION•The management of cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea region plays a significant role, including the protection of maritime heritage. Particular attention will be given also to innovative cultural activities for the promotion of the common heritage.•The Polish Presidency will promote active and engaged participation of young people in strategic debates. The Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum offers a space to build pluralistic intercultural dialogue.•The Baltic Sea region security and territorial resilience is enhanced by supporting further cooperation for spatial planning and territorial development within VASAB focusing on strengthening the territorial resilience of the Baltic Sea region. REGIONAL IDENTITY