26.03.2010

On March 17, 2010, the first in a newly established series of expert discussions was organized by the German PROBALT team in Kiel, the capital of the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. The series, which in German was given the name Ostsee-Fachgespräche (expert discussions on Baltic Sea affairs), aims at raising awareness on current issues of the Baltic Sea region with special emphasis on marine protection policies. It is intended for representatives from politics, administration, interest groups and research.

The first Ostsee-Fachgespräch concentrated on the recently adopted EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, which currently is in the implementation phase. The introductory lecture was given by Carsten Schymik, researcher at the Berlin based German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The subsequent discussion largely focussed on the question whether or not the government of Schleswig-Holstein should become more visible and increase its commitment in the implementation phase of the strategy. Some participants complained that Schleswig-Holstein, in contrast to the other two German federal states in the Baltic Sea region, Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has not taken over the leadership for any of the 15 priority areas of the strategy. However, in response to that, other participants emphasized the successful, albeit less visible, lobbying efforts of the Kiel government, which accordingly lead to the establishment of “clean shipping” as one of the priority areas of the strategy.

Both, the organizers and the approximately 25 participants, among them several MPs and officials from various governmental institutions, considered the first Ostsee-Fachgespräch as a success and welcomed the new series as an opportunity for open debates on Baltic Sea affairs. The PROBALT team will continue the expert discussions on an irregular basis. For further information (in German) please visit:

http://www.frieden.uni-kiel.de/index.php?idart=329

The second in a series of expert discussions established in 2010 on Baltic Sea cooperation and marine protection policies (German title: Ostsee-Fachgepräche) was arranged by the German PROBALT team in Kiel on October 26. About 25 participants, including MPs, government officials and NGO representatives attended the event. The introductory lecture was given by Mr. Haitze Siemers, head of the European Commission’s Baltic Sea Unit, which is part of the DG Mare. The discussion revealed several positive aspects of the European Union’s increasing role in maritime policies concerning for instance maritime spatial planning, improved maritime surveillance, better coordination of scientific research and the development of marine technologies. On the other hand, also constraints for a more active engagement of the EU in Baltic Sea protection were pointed out. Among others, the European Commission’s limited capabilities in striving for stricter ship emissions standards for European Seas within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, was mentioned during the discussion. Moreover, concerns were expressed about the lack of a proper integration of marine protection requirements into the Common Agricultural Policy. For further information (in German) please visit:

http://www.frieden.uni-kiel.de/index.php?idart=329