European integration and co-operation for competitiveness in the Baltic sea region
ENThis paper is focused on the integration of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) during the 1990s facilitating the European Union (EU) enlargement by including the three Baltic States and Poland in the EU in 2004. The paper will analyze the importance of regional institutions and initiatives created during the 1990s which are still playing a vital role in promoting and coordinating regional cooperation in BSR, and have been further strengthened by the new EU Strategy for the BSR adopted on June 2009. The alignment of broader rules and regulations through the EU accession process proved to be even more critical to facilitate deeper integration of the Baltic Sea Region, as well as to reduce impacts of global economic shocks influencing the integration and competitiveness of the BSR. The Author argues that international competitiveness and integration into regional and global economy of the three Baltic States and Poland is still insufficient and it is well reflected by the recent economic crisis. After the economy will return to a normal state, competitiveness will be even more important for improved economic performance, increased regional integration and minimized exposure to global economic shocks.
