Norway has become the ninth member of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, joining Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in a wider framework for regional cooperation.
The move expands Norway’s role in a strategy that brings together the European Commission, EU countries around the Baltic Sea and Norway. The framework is intended to support coordinated work on shared regional issues, including maritime cooperation, surveillance and security.
The decision comes as the Baltic Sea region remains under heightened attention following several incidents involving damaged undersea cables, which have raised concerns over sabotage and spying activities.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said participation would strengthen cooperation with the EU in an area that has become increasingly important for both European and Norwegian security. He added that membership would provide broader opportunities for cooperation on maritime coordination, surveillance and security while supporting cohesion and resilience in neighbouring regions.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran said the strategy offers a political and strategic framework for cooperation among countries in the region. He noted Norway’s more than 28 years of Interreg cooperation experience and said membership could support regional development and help build stronger resilience across the region.
Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will invite public institutions, private companies and civil society organisations to participate in the strategy. Norwegian organisations will be able to join cooperation projects covering maritime safety, energy, transport, culture, health, innovation, spatial planning, societal resilience and crisis preparedness.
