Under the auspices of the Estonian presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States, Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Gabrielius Landsbergis were appointed as the independent Wise Persons to produce a report on the future of the CBSS to look into the need to reform and restructure the Council and better respond to the current challenges of the region.
The decision to commission a report was born at the CBSS Porvoo ministerial meeting in June 2024, where the foreign ministers enjoyed an open, like-minded discussion on the hybrid threats in the region. The organisation has been dealing with the issues of democracy building, as well as economic and social challenges, since 1992. Over the last 33 years, however, times have changed significantly, and an urgent need for a different platform has arisen.
The Wise Persons, accompanied by the ICDS research fellow, Kai Kaarelson as the penholder, visited all 10 capitals of the CBSS, as well as Brussels, and reported back about their vision. What they discovered was a common plea for a Council that would address the hybrid security threats of the Baltic Sea States on a regular basis.
If the Wise Persons’ recommendations are implemented, a new permanent strategic discussion forum on hybrid threats will be established. As an avant-garde in the EU and NATO, and advancing the unity in both organisations, it will enhance the security architecture of the region. This work could be further supported by a strong civil protection pillar. Should the security situation in the world continue to deteriorate, a regional organisation with a stronger military dimension could be considered. The regional cooperation on other issues could proceed under a different framework.
Download and read: The Future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (PDF)