The Council of Baltic Sea States should rebrand and focus on tackling hybrid threats in the region and, if the situation deteriorates, it should be given a strategic military mandate, a new report recommends.
The CBSS was founded in 1992 to promote democracy building after the collapse of the Soviet Union and to engage with Russia. But over the last 33 years, its role has become outdated.
“The Future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States” report was written by former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves (2006-2026) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis (2020-2024). Both men interacted with the councils during their terms of office.
Landsbergis and Ilves, as designated “Wise Persons,” held discussions in the region’s 10 capitals and Brussels this spring to determine the future of the organization and the role it should play.
After discussions, the pair found that the council’s founding declaration needs to be updated. Its original mission, to help eastern countries democratize, is no longer needed. The Baltic states and Poland are now EU and NATO members, while Cooperation with Russia is almost non-existent.
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