Changes, challenges and chances

The Baltic Sea Region is a discernible area in the New Europe, with more or less open borders, a rapidly growing economy, common political interest, common security problems, and similar environmental and transport calamities. The region is culturally not homogeneous but it endures related identities, overlapping heritages, with a - in large parts - common history. The idea of a violent, military conflict among the states of the Baltic Sea Region would seem to have become unthinkable. The process of increasing cooperation - and the horrors of war! - have led to a web of interdependence, held together by interest, policies, treaties etc. As a result, this region is now a model of peaceful transformation. In this way, the history of conflict in the 20th century would seem to have contributed positively to the peaceful and co-operative situation, which we enjoy today.