Wismar (dpa) – Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has emphasised the importance of close cooperation between the Baltic Sea states in view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. “The security of each of us is the security of all of us – also here in the Baltic Sea Region,” Baerbock said at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Wismar in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. She added that the war in Ukraine had been a watershed moment for the region and especially for the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
Germany will hold the presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea Statesuntil July. Established in 1992, this regional body based in Stockholm comprises Germany, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, Iceland and the EU. Russia’s membership of the Council of the Baltic Sea States had been suspended in March 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. In response, Russia declared its withdrawal in May 2022.
One central focus of Germany’s presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States is to expand offshore wind power. “Renewable energy makes us independent of energy imports. It is our trump card in combatting the climate crisis,” said Baerbock. Besides onshore wind power and solar energy, offshore wind power is one central element of the expansion of green electricity in Germany.
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