Norway to chair Baltic Sea Council

Norway will base its presidency on the priorities adopted by the Council of the Baltic Sea States: environment, energy, economic development, education and culture, and civil security. In addition Norway will have a particular focus on maritime policy, human trafficking and organisational measures aimed at making the council more visible and result-oriented, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry writes in a statement.

- It is important for Norway to be actively engaged in all four of the regional councils in northern Europe: the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents Council and the Arctic Council. Our participation in these councils provides an opportunity to promote Norwegian interests in the High North. They are also key forums for political dialogue and practical cooperation with like-minded countries, says Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.