Closing the Gap – Creating a Win-Win Situation in the Baltic Sea Region
Baltic Development Forum’s 2001 Summit took place in St. Petersburg on 23-25 September and focused on Russia and the Action Plan on the Northern Dimension. The summit marked the third time that the Region’s leading politicians, business people, academics and media executives convened for intense cross-sector networking and for setting new agendas for our region.
With a focus on the Northern Dimension Action Plan, the importance of that Russia also benefits from the enlargement of the European Union was stressed. Co-operation and partnership between the EU and Russia should therefore be encouraged. Baltic Development Forum is firmly committed to this objective, and welcome all integrating forces, in particular the Northern Dimension Action Plan. The enlargement process and the integration of Russia into the European Union represent huge challenges. In order to meet them, Europe needs a visionary political leadership that can take the enlargement of the EU forward, thus enhancing the overall stability of Europe, and a committed business community.
Especially in the light of the tragic events in New York and Washington, it is important to show the world what countries can accomplish when they work and stand together. With the words of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Summit proved that the Baltic Sea Region can and must become the symbol of constructive international partnership.
