scholarly journals THE EUROPEAN UNION STRATEGY FOR THE BALTIC SEA REGION - AN EXAMPLE OF BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE

2017 ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
Iwona Śmigerska-Belczak
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Regional Governance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Regional Strategies ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Model Region

The international cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, especially between Scandinaviancountries, has a very long tradition that has impacted signicantly on institutionalisationof regional international relations. The current European Union Strategy for the Baltic SeaRegion is the rst macro-regional strategy within the EU, based on the earlier regionalexperience. Its main goal is strengthening cooperation in this region and promotingsustainable development in order to meet common challenges. The Strategy has broughtbetter coordination and effectiveness of the existing cooperation and turned out to bea very efficient and successful tool. Until spring 2014 the Baltic Sea Region was perceivedas a model region for successful transformation, close regional cooperation, trade andinclusive security. However, it is now facing new challenges connected with changingpolitical situation (EU-Russia relations, Brexit, migrations, etc.). The rules and formsof the governance in the Baltic Sea Region have appeared to be e‚ective and suƒcientin successfully addressing economic, social and political challenges. This is the answerto the question if there is any evidence to acknowledge the rules, forms and ways ofcooperation as a model which possibly could be followed elsewhere. As a result, the EUhas introduced three more macro-regional strategies.

scholarly journals EU macro-regional strategies for the Baltic Sea Region after 2020. A nutshell of beauty and possibilities

Europa XXI ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Zaucha ◽  
Kai Böhme ◽  
Dorota Pyć ◽  
Lilia Neumann ◽  
Aziewicz Dominik
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Regional Strategies ◽  
Soft Governance ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, that celebrates this year in Gdańsk its tenth anniversary, has been considered by many scholars and the decision makers as the model example of the soft governance that has gained in importance in the enlarged European Union (EU). The paper analyses the achievements and shortcomings of the Strategy from economic perspective with focus on externalities, public goods (also club goods, common-pool resources), economies of scale and scope and transaction costs. Two cases: Single Market for services and innovation spillovers are discussed more in depth. The analysis of these challenges and opportunities as well as the performance of the Strategy in the past and comparative analysis of its various evaluations allow authors to formulate several assumptions that should save the Strategy for the future. Their essence is related to mainstreaming of the Strategy into the EU and national policies (ensuring its stronger policy impact), strengthening strategic, visionary approach of the Strategy (e.g. facilitating large Baltic projects), better alignment with the business sector activities (understanding and addressing this sector expectations towards macro-regional co-operation) and acknowledgement of macro-regional solidarity as a foundation of the common efforts. Without all these, the Strategy might follow the case of the Baltic Development Forum that ceased to exist despite its evident positive effects for the entire region. Soft governance is difficult but promising as an alternative to the overgrowing sentiments towards centralisation. Thus, to avoid the impression of the “Titanic ball” Gdańsk celebrations should provide a new start instead of the business as usual and manifestation of shallow self-satisfaction.

scholarly journals The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and accomplishments

Baltic Region ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-152
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Palmowski
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Inherent Feature ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Common Goals ◽  
The Baltic

The sea and inland hinterland of Baltic Europe form a unique macro-regional unit. Strong collaboration links, and competition in the Baltic Sea region, are an inherent feature of the region from the beginning of its civilization development. Since 2004, the Baltic Sea has become an internal sea of the European Union. This fact no doubt strengthened the cooperation of the countries in the region. In many spheres, these ties take the form of networking. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is an important stimulus for further integrations. The objective of the article is to identify changing trends and the structural transformation in the Baltic integration process instigated by the implementation of this strategy. The document contains common goals, which strengthen cooperation and draw on the Baltic Sea potential. Three main pillars are outlined in the Strategy: marine protection, better interconnection of the region and growing prosperity. The essence of cooperation involves joint development plans on various levels: governmental, regional and local with the participation of research institutions, regional cooperation infrastructure, operational programmes, as well as the private sector. Political stabilisation and economic development may transform, in a longer time span, the emerging transnational Baltic Europe into a new economic and cultural European centre. The choice of research methodology applied in the study derives from the nature of collected data, i.e. literature regarding scientific accomplishments in the Baltic cooperation, analysis of working documents and reports drawn up by public institutions, the European Commission, and EU national and regional strategic documents.

scholarly journals TERRITORIAL MARKETING IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION PORT CITIES

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Gunta Grinberga Zalite ◽  
Joanna Hernik
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Port Cities ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Territorial Marketing ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic

Today in the Baltic Sea region, territorial marketing plays a substantial role both for tourist attraction and local young families, a quality workforce and students’ retention to the region, which is not easy due to the wide scope of work and travel opportunities in the European Union Member States. Territorial marketing aims to increase the prestige of a territory by attracting local and foreign subjects to the territory by creating an expressive image, maximal use of the territory’s natural, material and technical as well as financial, labour and social resources. The Baltic Sea region countries have a lot in common: historical heritage of Soviet Union influence until 1991, which has left its impact both on their architecture, city planning and on peoples’ mentality; joining the European Union in 2004 and since then struggling with common market side effects that force these countries to look for new ways to sustain their regional competitiveness. The current research focuses on exploring the experience of territorial marketing use in four Baltic Sea region port cities: Parnu (Estonia), Ventspils (Latvia), Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Szczecin (Poland). The research aimed to compare the territorial marketing approaches used in the four Baltic Sea region port cities and specifics of brand positioning for the cities. In the research work, desk study and the comparative method were applied to aggregate and interpret secondary data on the four cities’ development trends. Analysis and synthesis methods were applied to investigate the elements of territorial marketing. 

scholarly journals Transnational tourist destination management: a case study of the Baltic sea region

Baltic Region ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-146
Author(s):  
T. Studzieniecki ◽  
A. Jakubowski ◽  
B. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic

The issue of tourist destination management has been widely reflected in scientific literature. However, transnational destinations, i.e. those that are located on the territory of several countries, have not been given enough attention. The development of transnational destinations can occur provided there is close cooperation among key stakeholders. In the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) conditions for effective cooperation were created at the end of the 20th century when integration processes intensified. Currently, the BSR is the first macro-region of the European Union to implement a transnational strategy, in which tourism is recognised as a development priority. Creating an effective tourist destination management system has become a key challenge in this process. This article aims to identify and critically analyse the concept of transnational tourist destination management. Another goal is to identify the changing determinants of tourism management in the BSR and to explore relations between key stakeholders. To this end, we conducted a review of literature on destination management. We carried out a critical analysis of secondary sources (documents, information materials, the Internet resources) and supplemented the review with our insights from participatory observation. We also obtained additional information from interviews. Three models of destination management were identified: marketing-oriented, planning-oriented, and governance-oriented. Our research shows that the evolution of destination management is characterised by a gradual increase in the participation of public entities. This is related to the marginalisation of the tourism industry, which resulted in a systematic decrease in state funding for maintaining destination management structures. Acquiring the European Union funds from the European Territorial Cooperation Programs has become a partial but not entirely effective solution to this problem.

scholarly journals Establishing transboundary tourist space in the Baltic Sea region

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (Special Issue 1) ◽  
pp. 149-157
Author(s):  
DENIS CERIĆ ◽  
MAREK WIĘCKOWSKI
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Regional Identity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Cross Border Cooperation

Background: The Baltic Sea region has been an area of intense political, economic and cultural contacts since the early Middle Ages. However, it severely suffered both during the Second World War and in its aftermath through to 1989. Since the mid-1990s, initiatives, programs and organisations promoting cooperation in this region have been put in place, and, in line with the expansion of the European Union, there have been far more opportunities (both organisational and financial) for cross-border cooperation, including in a transboundary context. Material and methods: The main sources of data for quantitative analysis have been official reports of Interreg Programme projects in the Baltic Sea region, as given effect to in the period between 2007 and 2013. In turn, qualitative analysis has drawn on descriptions of selected projects, mainly in reports and on relevant websites. Results: This article acquaints the reader with issues underpinning cross-border cooperation in the transboundary context of the Baltic Sea region, focusing on key aspects relating to the establishment of transboundary tourist space. Several examples of EU co-financed cross-border cooperation in tourism are also presented in greater detail. Conclusions: The process of establishing transboundary tourist space across the Baltic Sea is seen to depend greatly on co-financing by the European Union. Such EU-backed projects serving the development of cross-border tourism in the transboundary context of the Baltic Sea region can be assigned to four groups entailing: (1) the integration of transport, (2) tourism management, (3) the generation of tourist products, and (4) the development of a regional identity. However, it is typical of these projects for cooperation in the development of tourist attractions and products to be led by entities from the more developed part of the region, which therefore receive more funding than partners’ beneficiaries from the Baltic’s less-developed part. Preliminary analysis thus suggests that EU projects may not necessarily help to even out differences, i.e. reduce disparities, between the “Old” and “New” EU, even if they may be significant in helping to combine potential.

Is Russia a “good CBSS citizen”?

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-56
Author(s):  
Alexander Sergunin
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Regional Identity ◽  
Regional Governance ◽  
Governance System ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
Ukrainian Crisis ◽  
The Baltic

This study examines Russia’s policies towards and within the Councilof the Baltic Sea States in the aftermath of the Ukrainian and other internationalcrises. More specifically, this paper analyses Russia’s interest in andexpectations from the CBSS, as well as Moscow’s institutional behaviour in theCouncil. The CBSS is viewed by Russia as both a centrepiece and cornerstoneof the regional governance system. Moscow also sees the CBSS as an importanttool for overcoming the politico-diplomatic isolation where Russia founditself with the start of the Ukrainian crisis. With the help of the CBSS, it retainsits ability to influence socioeconomic, political, environmental, and humanitariandevelopments in the Baltic Sea region. Russia supported the Council’sthree long-term priority areas: a regional identity, a sustainable and prosperousregion, and a safe and secure region. Russia favoured further the Council’sinstitutionalization and strengthening of its role in the regional governancesystem. Despite the fact that Russia’s relations with other CBSS member-statesremain tense and that Moscow does not always manage to use the Councilto promote its interests in the region, the CBSS is still seen by Russia as animportant platform for regional cooperation.

European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and EU macroregional approach – the analysis of ten years of the strategy implementation

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-33
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Strategy Implementation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
10Th Anniversary ◽  
Regional Approach ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Baltic

In 2009, the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was created in the Baltic Sea Region. This strategy is based on the concept of a macro-regional approach that was initiated in it. The theory supporting the concept is the theory of multi-level governance (MLG). The article analyses the process of implementation of this strategy and the macro-regional approach created in it. The analysis is related to 2019’s 10th anniversary of the creation of the strategy and the macro- regional approach, which was transformed into a concept implemented also in other macro-regions of the European Union

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