Member States
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) comprises eleven members: ten Member States – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden – and the European Union.
Denmark (DK)
Denmark is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe, consisting of the Jutland Peninsula and numerous islands. It covers an area of approximately 43,094 square kilometres and has a population of about 5.8 million people.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://um.dk/en/
- Official country website: https://denmark.dk/
Estonia (EE)
Estonia is a Baltic state in Northern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the north. It spans an area of around 45,227 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 1.3 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://vm.ee/en
- Official country website: https://www.eesti.ee/en/
CBSS Presidencies: 2024-2025, 2014-2015, 2003-2004, 1993-1994
Finland (FI)
Finland is a Northern European nation known for its vast forests and numerous lakes. It covers about 338,455 square kilometres and has a population of around 5.5 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://um.fi/frontpage
- Official country website: https://finland.fi/
CBSS Presidencies: 2023-2024, 2013-2014, 2002-2003, 1992-1993
Germany (DE)
Germany is a Central European country with diverse landscapes, from the North Sea and Baltic coasts to the Bavarian Alps. It has an area of approximately 357,022 square kilometres and a population of about 83 million.
- Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en
- Official country website: https://www.deutschland.de/en
Iceland (IS)
Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic, renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and geothermal activity. It covers about 103,000 square kilometres and has a population of around 364,000.
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs: https://www.government.is/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/
- Official country website: https://www.iceland.is/
Latvia (LV)
Latvia is a Baltic state in Northern Europe, featuring a mix of beaches, forests, and lakes. It spans approximately 64,589 square kilometres and has a population of about 1.9 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/
- Official country website: https://www.latvia.eu/
Lithuania (LT)
Lithuania is the southernmost of the Baltic states, known for its medieval history and diverse landscapes. It covers around 65,300 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 2.8 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://urm.lt/default/en/
- Official country website: https://lithuania.lt/
Norway (NO)
Norway is a Scandinavian country characterized by its extensive coastline, fjords, and mountainous terrain. It spans about 385,207 square kilometres and has a population of around 5.4 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/id833/
- Official country website: https://www.norway.no/en/
Poland (PL)
Poland is a Central European country with a rich history and varied geography, from the Baltic Sea coast to the Carpathian Mountains. It covers approximately 312,696 square kilometres and has a population of about 38 million.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy
- Official country website: https://www.poland.pl/
Sweden (SE)
Sweden is a Scandinavian nation known for its vast forests, numerous lakes, and archipelagos. It spans about 450,295 square kilometres and has a population of around 10.4 million.
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs: https://www.government.se/government-of-sweden/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/
- Official country website: https://sweden.se/
European Union (EU)
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries. It operates through a system of supranational institutions and intergovernmental decisions by the member states.
- European External Action Service: https://eeas.europa.eu/
- Official website: https://europa.eu/
Governance and Representation
Each Member State is represented in the CBSS by its Foreign Minister in the Council and by senior officials from their respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO). The European Union is represented in the Council by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and in the CSO by senior officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Collaboration in Action
Member States contribute expertise, resources and funding to the CBSS, supporting the organisation’s long-term priorities. Through coordinated efforts, the CBSS Member States address regional issues and work toward a cohesive, safe and prosperous Baltic Sea Region.
Shared Responsibilities
The collective responsibilities of the Member States include:
- Supporting and implementing decisions taken by the CBSS Council and CSO.
- Participating in expert groups and working bodies to advance shared goals.
- Upholding the principles outlined in the CBSS founding documents, including the 1992 Ministerial Declaration and subsequent Terms of Reference.