BALTIC CITIES TOWARDS THE EU

The last decade of the twentieth century witnesses Europe making its career in the Baltic Sea Region. With the collapse of the Berlin wall and the unification of both German states, Mecklemburg VorPommern became part of the EU. Later, Denmark, twice, in a dramatic referendum approved the Maastricht Treaty. Sweden and Finland joined the EU in 1995. Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia signed the European Association Agreements with Brussels. Presently, Poland and Estonia have just started the negotiations for the EU membership and prepare towards adopting the acquis communautaire. Lithuania and Latvia are about to start such negotiations soon. 
One can say that the Baltic is becoming the inland sea of the European Union, including the significant Norwegian and Russian presence in the region. However, one should draw his/her attention to the fact that no one in Europe (except the Norwegians themselves) questions the Norwegian right to membership in the common market. Russia with its Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg regions sits on the Baltic sea. Those two cities have probably the richest historic ties with Europe in this enormous country. 
In comparison with the Mediterranean Sea Region, the Baltic Sea area is not distinguished by deep disparities, while common European traditions and history to a great extent contribute to closer integration and collaboration in the region. 
Disbandment of artificial political divisions into post-war influence zones in the BSR generated in the nineties an unheardof richness of multi-faceted forms of cooperation and multi-level associations among governmental organisations, regional and local governments, entrepreneurial entities, and NGOs. Union of the Baltic Cities was the first multinational orgnisation grouping representatives from the Baltic states. Established in 1991 in Gdansk by 32 founding member cities, today the organisation has 86 members. 
To a certain extent then the Baltic cities derive from their historical heritage of caring and foreseeing self-governments, sensitive to protecting their own interests, and striving after them like in the times 

of the Hanseatic League, Kalmar Union, or Pomeranian local assemblies, etc.
At the close of the 20th century those common interests of the Baltic cities first of all unfold to: sustainable development and competitiveness of the whole region, removal of barriers hampering economic, cultural and scientific co-operation, development of regional communication networks and transportation corridors, protection of common environment. Those interests are basically the same as the EU' s objectives and aims. Therefore, it is not an incidental saying that the cities in our region are pillars of European integration. Suffice it to say that it is the cities and their citizens who perceive the integration as the chance for growth and well-being. 
Unquestionably, it is the national governments who create the legal and public framework of common Europe, as only they can sign treaties. Likewise, it is obvious that international agreements provide only conditions and framework for actions (principles) which are then put into meaningful practice by citizens and local communities in their everyday lives. 
In the Baltic Sea Region 44% of the population lives in cities having over 100. 000 inhabitants. Also, here groups the major industrial and intellectual potential. Baltic cities are not only ports, but they also accommodate universities, scientific, cultural and technical centres. Regional and local public administrations are seated there. Deputies elected to national and European institutions live mainly in the cities. 
On the other hand, the Baltic cities, who compose a unique forum supporting the idea of the common Europe, at the same time experience dilemmas related to unemployment, costly municipal infrastructure, environmental problems, maintenance and revitalization of historical housing stock, social disintegration, crime and the feeling of insecurity. 
Engagement of the Baltic cities in supporting European integration evokes then natural expectations towards Europe's reciprocity, especially as we are talking about the region producing 15% of the world`s GDP. 
Although being conscious that cultivating evangelic feelings is not 

of main concern to the Brussels' bureaucrats, UBC with its Strategy resolved to lobby the urban dimension in European politics.
We wish that the cities should have the possibly of autonomous contribution into planning and development of the projected Structural Funds and other pre-accession funds according to the subsidiarity principle. The cities also wish to prepare their local administrations and organisations to the EU standards. Many Baltic city adopted its integration policy. Major and richer cities such as Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm opened up their own representation offices in Brussels. Similarly, regional organisations such as Sydsam and SchleswigHolstein Region together with their cities did the same. Further, Baltic cities develop joint projects which aim at practical preparation towards operations in the internal common market and mutual cooperation. These projects are: UBC Member cities and the EU; EU Coordinators, UBC and Agenda 21, SAIL, Environmental Training Programme, Municipal Environmental Auditing, Public Transportation Proforum, Baltic Sea Alliance, UBC Women's Network, Baltic Art and Culture Festival, Adult education, to name just a few. Union of the Baltic Cities' aim and ambition is to provide the cities with professional consulting in this respect. 
I believe that the new Strategy for the UBC, which is to be adopted by the General Assembly in Stockholm in September this year, will contribute to this, too. 
Likewise in the past, also today the Baltic cities are to play a creative and positive role in the peaceful co-operation in the Baltic region, the EU enlargement, and to acknowledge the powerful position of the Baltic region in our common Europe. All this is being done for the benefit of the inhabitants - homo balticus.