Baltic Business Forum to discuss Russian role in region
KALININGRAD. April 4 (Interfax) - The Russian economic policy will be discussed at the fifth meeting of the Baltic Business Forum to take place in two EU cities - Poland's Swinoujscie and Germany's Heringsdorf - on April 24-26.
The Polish Cultural Center in Kaliningrad published the report based on national media stories quoting Europe-North-East Association Chairman, former Polish Economy Minister Jacek Piechota.
"Together with partners from Europe and Asia, we will try to answer the question about Russia's strategy in the Baltic Sea region, Baltic economic cooperation prospects and ways to build confidence in partners, in particular, in the context of the Nord Stream gas pipeline under construction," Piechota said.
He also said that the main session of the forum's first day would draw attention of delegates to such aspects of the Russian regional policy as energy, relations between Baltic countries, Russian projects in the region in light of territorial development options and hazards to the region.
The forum participants will try to answer which role Russia will play in the Baltic Sea zone and how the North-East economic cooperation will develop. This is a topical subject, especially now as Russia chairs the regional cooperation forum - the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Piechota said.
The forum will consider other issues, as well. The delegates will ponder the influence of politics on the economy of Northern and Eastern countries, efficiency of public-private partnership models, and ways to create supranational transport systems.
The organizers said the forum would be attended by Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski and former Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. Politicians, economic ministers, regional officials, heads of numerous governmental agencies, experts, representatives of non-governmental organizations and businessmen will also participate in the forum. Economic ministers of the Baltic Sea countries and member countries of the Eastern Partnership will hold debates.
The Europe-North-East Association and the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency are organizing the fifth meeting of the Baltic Business Forum.
