CPMR BSC_Tomas Moertsell_2024.03.18 BSPC Stockholm

The CPMR Baltic Sea CommissionAn organisation of regions promoting a competitive,sustainable, resilient and stable Baltic Sea RegionPresentation to the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (18.03.2025)MrTomas Mörtsell, President of the CPMR Baltic Sea CommissionRegion Västerbotten, SwedenAgenda•About the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission•Key priorities for 2025 -2027•Transport•Energy & Climate•Maritime•Arctic•Cohesion policy•Avenues of cooperation with the BSPC1-The Baltic Sea Commission:as part of an EU wide organisation of regions•The Baltic Sea Commission is part of theConference of Peripheral Maritime Regions ofEurope (CPMR), a 50 -year -old organisationgathering about 120 EU and non -EU regions facingsimilar challenges•The CPMR :•Promotes the voice of peripheral maritimeregions in the EU policy making•facilitates regional cooperation and dialoguebetween regional politicians across Europe•CPMR President: Filip Reinhag , Councillor , Gotland1-The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission:Member Regions and missions•The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission gathers 21regions: Sweden, Finland, Germany and Estonia.•Established in 1996, it promotes the specificinterests of Baltic sea regions towards EUinstitutions and fosters regional cooperation•Contributes to the implementation of the EUSBSR•Promotes multilevel governance & cooperation•Close dialogue with EU institutions•Cooperation with other pan -Baltic organisations•Dialogue with the national levels1-The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission:Vision and advocacy work•A connected Baltic Sea Region•A sustainable, climate neutral and energy resilient Baltic Sea Region•An innovative and competitive Baltic Sea Region•A secure and stable Baltic Sea Region•A healthy Baltic SeaIssues that the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission is highlighting on the EU level:→The Baltic Sea regions have the potential and solutions to contribute to the objectives ofboosting EU competitiveness, innovation, decarbonisation of the economy, security & democracy.→Specific challenges that the Baltic Sea regions are facing due to the geopolitical unrestfollowing Russian’s aggression against Ukraine, and therefore need of EU support2-Our Vision: A connected Baltic Sea RegionPromote transport accessibility & (cross -border) connectivityin the BSR for competitvness and securityPromote resilient transport networks & infrastructures in theBSR, including for a dual -use transport purposePromote sustainable mobility in the Baltic Sea Region anddecarbonization of the transport sectorPromote innovative transport solutions and modes forpeople and goods in the Baltic Sea RegionPriorities of the Transport Working Group for 2025 -2027Current advocacy work-Highlights the major challengesrelated to transport, logistics,security of supply, in the BSRdue to changed geopoliticalcontext-Calls for reinforcing the Eas tWest transport connections inthe northern BSR for dual usepurpose-Calls on the EU and nationallevels to consider the changedgeopolitical realities whendesigning future transport aswell as the financial meansbehind them (strong CEF III)2-Our Vision: A climate -neutral and energysecure and resilient Baltic Sea RegionEnhance energy security and infrastructure resilience in theBaltic Sea RegionStreamline efforts on energy efficiency in the Baltic SeaRegion by deepening regional cooperationIncrease the production of clean energy respecting technicalneutralityPromote adaptation of regions to the effects ofclimate change Priorities of the Energy & Climate WG for 2025 -2027Recent activities:•Meeting with NATOrepresentatives inBrussels to discussNATO approach tosecure criticalundersea cables•Close monitoring of theClean Industrial Pact2-Our Vision: Ahealthy, secure Baltic Sea,supporting coastal communities and economy of the BSRRaise awareness of joint efforts to enable a healthyBaltic Sea and its biodiversityReinforce competitiveness, and decarbonization of themaritime sector in the Baltic Sea RegionPromote maritime security in the Baltic Sea, especially ofcritical sub -sea infrastructurePromote the role of ports as guarantors of security ofsupply, and as energy hubPriorities of the Maritime Working Group for 2025 -2027EU initiatives tocontribute•Ocean Pact•EU Port Strategy•EU Maritime IndustrialStrategy•Vision for the fisheriessector with a 2040perspective•European Water ResilienceStrategyPromote sustainable and responsible coastal tourism in theBaltic Sea RegionBSC Chair of the BSC Maritime WG willmeet in April 2025 with EU CommissionerKadis to talk about maritime security2-Our Vision: secure, competitive and decarbonisedArctic in the Baltic Sea RegionSupport sustainable economic, social and territorialdevelopment of Arctic regions , balancing economicopportunities with environmental protectionPromote regional collaboration to ensure Arctic as a lowtensions area, as a critical area for European securityPromote security and resilience of critical infrastructures inEuropean Arctic Regions for people, business & military useSupport attractiveness of Arctic communities (publicservices, transport connections, culture...)Priorities of the Arctic Working Group for 2025 -2027Current advocacy workon the EU level•Raise awareness of Arctic issueson the EU agenda, as a hotspotof the green industrializationand hotspot of geopoliticaltensions•Advocate for adapted EUinstruments and funds for ArcticRegions (Cohesion policypost2027, transport policy...)2-Our Vision on EU Cohesion policy post 2027In view of the publication of the proposal for the next long term EU budget (MFF) by theEuropean Commission in July 2025, the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission Member Regions call for anambitious Cohesion policy post 2027, including strong INTERREG ( interregional cooperation )•to ensure long -term balanced territorial development –keep it a policy for all regions;•Maintain its core principles (partnership principle, multilevel governance, shared management)•Regional involvement is key•Tailor -made approach and flexibility accounting for specific challenges of CPMR regions, includingnorthern sparsely populated areas and those near the Ukrainian and Russian border•Linking EU objectives with regional needs and investments (territorial cohesion as a condition forcompetitiveness).CPMR BSC expresses concerns:•Concerns of simplification through centralisation (Single national plan rumours )•Concerns of the Recovery and resilience facility influence3-Avenues of cooperation for BSPC & CPMR BSC•Continue close political dialogue : Invitation to the BSPC President to 30thCPMR Baltic Sea Commission General Assembly on 27/28 August 2025, Brussels•Closer cooperation on energy and climate issues (eg. BSPC Working GrouponEnergy Security, Self -sustainability, Resilience and Connectivity)