On 5 October 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš, opened the 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), Safe and Sustainable Baltic Sea Region for Future Generations.
“Cooperation around the Baltic Sea has a long history. Now it is more important than ever. Today’s challenges – security, climate change, energy independence, and youth involvement – can be successfully addressed only by working together,” Krišjānis Kariņš underlined in his opening address.
The Foreign Minister emphasised that achieving the overall policy goals of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was a long-term commitment and called for making joint efforts to improve the environmental status of the Baltic Sea, to foster prosperity and increase connectivity in the Baltic Sea region. Krišjānis Kariņš also urged those living in the Baltic Sea region to decide on what kind of future they wanted. “Involvement and participation of youth in the policymaking process is essential for building a more inclusive and equitable society that meets the needs of all its members,” the Foreign Minister noted.
Krišjānis Kariņš reaffirmed unwavering support to Ukraine and its people in their fight for our shared values. “We are willing and ready to step up our efforts towards the reconstruction of Ukraine, and the instruments provided by the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region can, and must be used in this regard,” the Foreign Minister said.
The opening session of the 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was also addressed the Latvian Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis; the Deputy Director General for Implementation in the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission, Normunds Popens; the State Secretary and Plenipotentiary of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Federation, the European Union, and for foreign affairs, Almut Möller; the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia, Anatolii Kutsevol; and the State Secretary of the of Climate and Energy, Līga Kurevska.
The participants of the opening session also exchanged views on energy, including the currently topical issue of reduction of energy prices, diversification of gas supply, and the acceleration of transition to clean energy.
