The Founders
March 1, 1992
Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Uffe Ellemann-Jensen were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Germany and Denmark who convened the meeting of the region’s Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen to establish a regional cooperation platform as a response to the geopolitical changes that took place in the Baltic Sea Region with the end of the Cold War.
CBSS is established
March 5, 1992
The CBSS was established as an overall regional political forum at a meeting of the region’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The Council was the first attempt to build confidence and relations based on trust, at the intergovernmental level between the 11 Member States and, at the time, the European Commission, in regards to the new political realities in the region. At the time, Denmark and Germany were the only Members States to be members of the European Union.
First Baltic Sea States Summit
May 3, 1996
The first Baltic Sea States Summit was convened in Visby, Gotland. The Agenda 21 initiative, outlining the vision for sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region was officially established by the Ministers of Environment.
CBSS Secretariat is established
June 23, 1998
France, Ukraine, the UK and the USA become Observer States
January 1, 1999
Italy becomes an Observer State
January 1, 2000
The Netherlands and Slovakia become Observer States
January 1, 2001
Expert group on Children at Risk and Expert group on Nuclear and Radiation Safety
June 5, 2001
The Expert Group on Children at Risk is established by high-level officials dealing with the topic of Children. Expert Group on Nuclear and Radiation Safety (EGNRS) agreement on the exchange of radiation monitoring data is signed.
The Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings is created by the CBSS Heads of Government
June 8, 2006
Northern Dimension policy development
November 24, 2006
The CBSS participates in the policy development of the Northern Dimension alongside other regional actors, sister councils and financial stakeholders. A Northern Dimension political declaration and policy framework document are agreed.
The organisation reorients towards project work
June 3, 2008
The Council of the Baltic Sea States agreed upon the Riga Declaration on Reform. The organisation would become projectised across the organisation, not just in the specific specialised units.
Belarus, Romania and Spain become Observer States
January 2, 2009
Expert Group on Maritime Policy is formed
June 11, 2009
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is launched
June 12, 2009
The Lisbon Treaty came into force and the CBSS Membership of the European Commission became that of the European Union. The seat in the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials is held by the European External Action Service, alongside the Directorate General of Regional and Urban Policy.
Vilnius Declaration
June 2, 2010
At the 8th Baltic Sea States Summit, the Vilnius Declaration was agreed upon outlining a number of focus areas for the region until 2020. The Baltic 21 network was integrated into the structure of the CBSS as an Expert Group on Sustainable Development.
CBSS turns 20
March 5, 2012
2012 marks 20 years of cooperation in a new political environment in the Baltic Sea Region. In connection to this anniversary, a book was published in which ten women and men from across the region share their impressions on 20 years under three thematic subjects: Strategies for Sustainable and Innovative Future; Multi-Level Governance and Regional Cohesion; and Resilience and Inclusion in Times of Austerity.
CBSS Project Support Facility is established
May 21, 2012
At the 9th Baltic Sea States Summit, under the German Presidency presided over by Angela Merkel, the CBSS establishes the Project Support Facility for seed money projects. For the first time, the organisation has a funding mechanism for external projects intended to build lasting partnerships across the region.
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Action Plan
January 1, 2013
The European Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was revised with an Action Plan and the CBSS Secretariat, alongside other actors as coordinators or co-coordinators, became responsible for Policy Area Secure, Horizontal Action Neighbours and Horizontal Action Climate.
Three long-term priorities are formed
July 1, 2014
Under the Finnish Presidency, the CBSS priorities, set down in the Riga Declaration, were streamlined from five to three: Regional Identity, Sustainable & Prosperous Region and Safe & Secure Region. A mid-term assessment of the progress under the Vilnius Declaration was also undertaken.
Hungary becomes an Observer State
January 1, 2016
First CBSS Science Ministerial is convened
June 16, 2016
Baltic 21 becomes Baltic 2030
June 30, 2016
CBSS turns 25
March 5, 2017
The Council of the Baltic Sea States marks 25 years of the organisation, adopting the Reykjavik Declaration. In light of the 2030 Agenda, the Committee is tasked to establish a group of wise women and men to take the organisation up to 2020 and beyond.
The Vision Group Report
May 9, 2018
The Vision Group, made up of Baltic Sea Region’s academics, diplomats, experts, politicians and other public figures delivered their report on the future of the Baltic Sea Region beyond 2020. The reform process was agreed to with the Stockholm Declaration during the Ministerial Meeting of the Swedish Presidency.
CBSS Reforms
June 11, 2020
A number of measures outlined in the CBSS Reform Roadmap agreed upon in the Jūrmala Declaration, making the CBSS more flexible and efficient in the current geopolitical landscape are implemented under the Danish presidency resulting in the Bornholm Declaration.
CBSS Secretariat moves to new premises
July 1, 2020
CBSS Action Plan 2021-2025
May 21, 2021
An action plan for the CBSS Secretariat over the years 2021-2025, endorsed by the CBSS Foreign Ministers and High-level Representatives at the 2021 CBSS Ministerial Meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency, became clear guidelines on the way forward for the CBSS.
Vilnius II Declaration
June 1, 2021
A vision for the Baltic Sea Region, adopted by the CBSS Foreign Ministers and High-level Representatives at the 2021 CBSS Ministerial Meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency, outlining the goals for the next 10 years.
Russia suspended from the CBSS
March 3, 2022
The members of the CBSS have decided to suspend Russia from further participation in the Council’s activities in response to the unprovoked and illegal war being waged by Russia against Ukraine.
CBSS turns 30
March 5, 2022
The CBSS marks its 30th anniversary. Since its beginning in 1992, the CBSS has been a bridge between EU and non-EU member states and a driving force of multi-lateral cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.
Russia’s withdrawal from the CBSS
May 17, 2022
Ministerial Session 2022
May 25, 2022
The CBSS Foreign Ministers and High-level Representatives met in Kristiansand during the 19th Ministerial Session of the CBSS – the first ministerial session since 2013. During the session, the Kristiansand Declaration was agreed upon expressing continued support for Ukraine and recognition of the country’s efforts to defend its independence and the common values for which Europe stands.