The following states enjoy the status of Observer countries in the CBSS: France Italy Slovakia The Netherlands Ukraine United Kingdom United States The following organisations have the status of Special Participants in the Council: Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference The aim of the BSPC is to develop existing co-operation between all parliamentary institutions of the Baltic Sea area (both on a regional and national level) and to discuss major regional issues. Between sessions a Standing…

The so-called Action Programmes were adopted at the Council session in Kalmar, Sweden in July 1996 and serve as an additional guideline for CBSS activities. The Programmes represent a step forward for the Baltic Sea co-operation and comprise the following fields: I Participation and Stable Political Development including: Essence of Democracy: Participation Local Initiatives Non-Governmental Organisations Civic Security and Combating Organised Crime Free Travel whilst Fighting Abuse Educational Co-operation and Exchange Common Culture and…

The Third Baltic Sea States Summit decided to establish a “Task Force on Communicable Disease Control in the Baltic Sea Region”. The Task Force consists of personal representatives of the Prime Ministers and is chaired by Norway. Its purpose is to intensify regional co-operation and other measures to counteract the threat to public health caused by a sharp increase in communicable diseases, and to elaborate a joint plan to enhance disease control throughout the…

Established following a decision of the Heads of Government at the Baltic Sea States Summit meeting in Visby held in May 1996. Mandate extended in December 1998 until the end of the year 2000. Structure: Composed of special representatives of Heads of Government of CBSS Member States, of the Presidency of the European Union and of the European Commission. Reports directly to the Heads of Government. Operative Committee (OPC) established in February 1998 under…

Following a decision that the Heads of Government of the States represented in the CBSS should meet on an informal basis, the first of these meetings was held in May 1996 in Visby, Sweden. The second was held in January 1998 in Riga, Latvia, during the Danish presidency. The third summit took place in Kolding, Denmark, on 12-13 April 2000. The 4th Baltic Sea States Summit meeting is scheduled to take place in St.Petersburg,…

The Baltic Business Advisory Council (BAC) was established in 1996 with the aim of speeding up the process of privatising and restructuring enterprises in the countries in transition and to promote small and medium-sized enterprises. The BAC is considered an important speaker for business in the region and adviser to decision-makers. The secretariat of the BAC is presently located in Stockholm.

At the Second CBSS Ministerial Session in Helsinki in March 1993, it was decided to establish the EuroFaculty. The EuroFaculty statutes were adopted at the Third Ministerial Session in Tallinn in May 1994. The aim of the EuroFaculty programme is to assist in reforming higher education in Law, Economics, Public Administration and Business Administration at several universities in the Baltic Sea region. The EuroFaculty Directorate is located in Riga, Latvia. The Directorate operates the…

In May 1994 a Commissioner on Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Including the Rights of Persons belonging to Minorities was appointed. Since 1994 the office has been held by Professor Ole Espersen, Denmark. A revised mandate was adopted in 1997 and Mr. Espersen was re-appointed for another 3-year term. At its 9th Ministerial Session in Bergen (21-22 June 2000), the Council took note of the Commissioner’s annual report and expressed its satisfaction with his…