The integrative potential of science and research cooperation for suturing the Baltic Sea region in the 21st century

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-32
Author(s):  
Kazimierz Musiał

The aim of the article is to demonstrate how science and researchcooperation may help to reintegrate the Baltic region in the 21st century withthe participation of Russia. This is done through the analysis of documentsand strategies of Baltic Sea regionalism in the context of the regional knowledgeregime. Attention is paid to different positionalities of the regional actorsand their narratives. The theoretical framework is secured by an analysis ofcritical junctures drawing on case studies from the years 1989-91 and 2014 andthe subsequent reconfiguration of the power / knowledge nexus. The analysisshows that this reconfiguration actively contributes to creating and changingthe content and context of the Baltic Sea regionalism as based on new symbolic,economic, and political capitals. The conclusion points to the potentialof Russia’s involvement in the co-creation of the regional knowledge regimeand defines the conditions and methods of possible cooperation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 08013
Author(s):  
Leila Neimane

Research background: Nowadays, mainstream discussions on maritime spatial planning (MSP) are tightly intertwined with the discourse on governance for land-sea interactions or interface (LSI), using multi-scalar and cross-sectoral governance systems. At the same time, principles with legal rank need to be respected and applied in both MSP and LSI and their respective governance structures while putting coastal communities at the centre and taking into consideration the process of “maritimisation.” In combination, these factors contribute to augmenting the pressure of competing uses both on land and sea in the frame of the Blue Economy. As an exemplary forerunner in the field of MSP, the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) and its case studies can provide a useful insight in this respect. Purpose of the article: The aim is to identify and integrate the principles with legal rank of Effective Governance for sustainable development to be implemented through different LSI governance perspectives and in the framework of MSP and the Blue Economy, providing concise guidance as to their application through BSR case studies. Methods: Preparation of this article involves applying traditional legal research methods (analysis and synthesis) and the results of maritime spatial plans and practical examples of pilot projects. Analysis includes the following techniques: descriptive, historical, special analytical and dogmatically comparable, including an analytical perspective of transnational environmental law. Synthesis is applied through the legally constructive method. Findings & Value added: Based on conclusions and lessons learned from BSR case studies, the article offers added value by structuring and improving knowledge and providing a basis for further theoretical discussion.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Coleman

I draw on fieldwork based in the Word of Life Ministry, Sweden, to consider how these neo-Pentecostals have constructed the Baltic as a landscape of both action and imagination. One part of my argument states that we must see the ministry’s attitudes to Sweden and the wider Baltic region in terms of its desire to situate itself within Swedish revivalist history. I also argue, however, that we can fruitfully draw on Bakhtin’s notion of the ‘chronotope’ to trace how the Baltic constitutes a potent spatio-temporal context for the construction of a narrative which encourages Word of Life members to see their missionary role as being contained within, but also looking far beyond, the Baltic Sea region.


Author(s):  
Rikard Bengtsson

Swedish policy towards the Baltic Sea region in the post-Cold-War period reflects an internationalist approach aimed at institutionalizing regional cooperative mechanisms, along with a generic interest in managing relations with Russia. The Baltic region is of significant strategic interest to Sweden. From a strategic foreign policy perspective, the institutions-based approach to regional cooperation can be viewed as a formula for Sweden to multilateralize relations with Russia while simultaneously reaping economic and security benefits that stem from regional and European-level interdependencies. The roles that follow from this approach—as regional integrator and as normative critic of Russia—are increasingly enacted through European channels, primarily the EU.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaiga Ozoliņa

Abstract The paper covers research findings on mussel farming and the analysis of current situation in mussel farming in the Baltic Sea. The mussel farming has a development potential in the Baltic Sea region. Some developers have chosen progressive activities to achieve the aim. For example, in Sweden the development of mussel farming is suggested as one of the instruments for reducing eutrophication. Several countries in the Baltic Sea region are in the beginning phase of the mariculture development. The following research methods were used in the research: studies of scientific publications, case studies and document studies on some important factors impeding the development of mussel farming in the Baltic Sea.


Baltic Region ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor P. Kirilenko ◽  
Georgiy V. Alexeyev

The information space of the Baltic region has gradually developed since the free exchange of cross-border messages was made possible by media technology and international law. The international conflict between Russia and some countries of the European Union has become a factor hampering its sustainable development. Moreover, the conflict has adversely affected the functioning of many civil society institutions in the Baltic Sea region. This study focuses on the publications in the scientific media associated with the political technologies that may provoke conflict but must contribute to good-neighbourly relations in the region. We carry out a comprehensive political analysis and a specific examination of the Western scientific media to develop a package of measures that Russia can take to counter the conflictprovoking influences in the region. The current condition of the regional information space and information operations aimed at inciting Russophobia and forcing Russia out of the European political process is indicative of the politicisation of social sciences and the humanities and of the mythologisation of the policies of the regional social structures. The conflict must be urgently resolved, since the political technologies, which cause instability in the information space, damage the reputations of all the states involved. To reconcile the differences that underlie the information conflict in the Baltic region it is necessary to take into account common interests. There is a pressing need to join efforts in solving the challenging social problems that cannot be overcome without either international cooperation among the countries or effective social partnership.


Baltic Region ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-59
Author(s):  
Tatiana S. Volchetskaya ◽  
Elena N. Cholopova

This article identifies the objective conditions of the conflict between the interests of development and those of environmental security. The latter are given added urgency when, within the same ecological unit, one country needs to develop and another to protect its environmental interests. The borders of the countries and regions, the economies of which affect the safety of Russia’s interests in the Baltic, do not coincide with the boundaries of the ecosystems. This calls for a study of the legal protection of Russia’s environmental interests in the Baltic Sea region. There is no legal mechanism for ensuring a balance between the interests of development and those of environmental security of the countries that have shorelines along the Baltic Sea. Thus, it is necessary to give a functional description of the regional model for the legal protection of the environmental interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic region. To this end, we identify the juridical content of the environmental interests of the Russian Federation. We consider the possibilities of the legal protection of the environmental interests in the national and international jurisdiction. The interests are divided into two groups respectively. We reveal the essence of the environmental interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea region. We analyse the case of the Russian regions located within the Baltic Sea catchment area to test an approach to identifying the region’s boundaries. This approach may be used in modelling the regional level of the legal protection of Russia’s environmental interests in the Baltic region. We identify the environmental interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea region, as well as the forms of legal protection of the country’s interests in this territory. We describe the elements of the system of the legal protection of Russia’s interests in the Baltic region and examine the functions of these elements. The result of this study is a functional description of the model of legal protection of the environmental interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic region. This model may be used to strengthen the links between the elements of the protection of the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic region.


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