Norway announced on Monday its accession to the European Union’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), aimed at addressing shared challenges, including security. As a non-EU member, Norway will collaborate with existing members: Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized that this membership enhances Norway’s cooperation with the EU in a region increasingly vital to both European and Norwegian security. The Baltic Sea area has been on high alert following disruptions to power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Joining the EUSBSR opens doors for Norway to engage in maritime cooperation, surveillance, and security initiatives. Established in 2009, the EUSBSR aims to bolster collaboration on common challenges while promoting a greener, more competitive, and resilient region.
The strategy also focuses on ensuring clean and safe shipping and maintaining reliable energy markets within the Baltic Sea area.
