The value of multilateral Baltic cooperation lies in the multiple connections between partners – governmental, local governments, and non-governmental – which foster the creation of unique expert networks, enable the exchange of information and good practices, as well as undertaking of joint, coordinated actions. Intergovernmental political cooperation is complemented by a valuable project dimension. On the one hand, the Baltic Sea region includes extremely important partners, such as Germany and the Baltic and Nordic countries, with which a dense network of connections has been established. On the other hand, there is a number of opportunities offered by dozens of multilateral cooperation structures such as: Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), Committee on Spatial Development of the Baltic Sea Region (VASAB), Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC), and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), established in 1992, of which Poland is a co-founder, is the only forum for high-level political dialogue between all countries of the region (plus Norway, Iceland, and the EU/EEAS). It is also a driving force for multilateral cooperation in the region (Russia was suspended from membership and subsequently withdrew from the Council in May 2022).

The three long-term priorities of the CBSS are: Regional Identity, Sustainable and Prosperous Region, and Safe and Secure Region. Currently, there are four bodies operating within the CBSS structure: Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy (Poland is represented by the Ministry of Infrastructure), Task Force Against Trafficking in Human Beings (Ministry of the Interior and Administration), Expert Group on Children at Risk (Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy), and Civil Protection Network (National Headquarters of the State Fire Service of Poland).

Poland highly values the political cooperation at the CBSS forum so far, as well as achievements of individual expert groups. The rapid changes in the geopolitical situation in the region in recent years, have brought to the fore the need to develop collaboration related to the security of the Baltic Sea countries.

Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 Poland hold, already for the fourth time, annual rotating presidency of the CBSS. This time the chairmanship coincided with a period of exceptional threats in the Baltic Sea region – intensified hybrid and disinformation activities by Russia required a comprehensive response that went beyond the traditional understanding of security. For this reason, the priority of the Polish presidency was to strengthen the organization’s political pillar through a more focused approach to regional security issues. In this context, we focused on building resilience and fostering dialogue on key challenges: protection of critical infrastructure, countering the so-called clunker fleet and resilience to disruptions in Global Navigation Satellite System.

Owing to the strong commitment of Polish ministries, institutions, and diplomatic missions, the visibility of the CBSS has increased significantly. Over 100 events were organized during the presidency, more than half of which addressed broadly defined issues of security and resilience. Three meetings of the CBSS Foreign Ministers and a meeting of Political Directors gave the organization an unprecedented boost. As usual, the most important meeting, held at the conclusion of the presidency, was the Ministerial Session in Sopot (28-29 May 2026). During the Session, the Member States and the European Union adopted the Sopot Declaration, which represents a clear and coherent voice of the entire organization on the security in the region, continued support for Ukraine as well as the need for a decisive response to Russian hybrid activities.

In addition, at the initiative of the Polish presidency, two reports were prepared and presented during the Ministerial Session, one by the Centre for Eastern Studies (Security cooperation formats in the Baltic Sea Region. Recommendations for the Council of the Baltic Sea States) another by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (White Paper on Russian Acts of Sabotage and Subversion against Members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States). These analyses provide an excellent basis for further discussions on awareness and countering Russian threats in the region, as well as on the future of regional cooperation.

Priorities of the Polish CBSS Presidency 2025-2026

Selected Events of the Polish Presidency 2025-2026

Sopot Declaration

The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), established in 2009, is one of the four macro-regional strategies of the European Union. It covers Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany (the northern federal states) and Norway (since May 2026). Cooperation within the EUSBSR is carried out at multiple levels — governmental, regional and local — with the involvement of research  and academic institutions, regional cooperation structures, non governmental organizations, as well as the business sector.

Three main objectives of the Strategy:

1. Save the Sea,
2. Connect the Region,
3. Increase Prosperity.

Activities under the EUSBSR are divided into fourteen thematic areas, four of which are coordinated by Poland:

1. Nutrients – State Water Holding Polish Waters in cooperation with Finland;
2. Innovation – Ministry of Science and Higher Education in cooperation with Estonia and Finland;
3. Culture – Adam Mickiewicz Institute in cooperation with Germany (the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein);
4. Tourism – Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organization in cooperation with Finland.

Poland held its last EUSBSR Presidency between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, whereas in November 2025 organized 16th EUSBSR Annual Forum in Sopot.

The main decision-making body within the EUSBSR governance structure is the Group of National Coordinators, composed of one National Coordinator from each Member State. In Poland, the role of National Coordinator is performed by a representative of the European Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported by the Working Group for the Coordination of the EUSBSR Implementation.

National Coordinator for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
European Policy Department
E-mail: dpe.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl
Tel.: +48 22 523 9175