| 2 July 2009 On 10 June 2009 Commissioner Hübner will present the proposal for an EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. This will be the first time that the EU has launched concrete inter-governmental proposals targeted at all countries in the larger Baltic Sea Region. The aim of the Strategy will be to coordinate action by Member States, regions, financing institutions, pan-Baltic organisations and non-governmental bodies, to promote a more balanced development of the region. The background: The Baltic Sea region includes eight EU countries - Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, as well as the Russian Federation. It faces a variety of challenges ranging from ecological dangers (pollution and dwindling fish stocks) and slow economic development, to an over-reliance on energy imports. Many of these problems can only be addressed through better cooperation between the countries concerned. The EU is well-placed to facilitate this cooperation. 15 priority areas for action have been identified. They cover the environment, economy, transport, energy links and maritime safety / security. The EU institutions are working with the Baltic countries and relevant interest groups on the development of the strategy, which will be the priority of the Swedish Presidency of the EU.
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