14th Baltic Development Forum Summit and the European Commission’s 3rd Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

Copenhagen, June 17-19, 2012

The 14th Baltic Development Forum Summit and the European Commission’s 3rd Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, organised together with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Capital Region of Denmark, Region Zealand and Region Skåne, took place in Copenhagen on 17-19 June under the headline “Connecting Europe – Smart and Green Partnerships in the Baltic Sea Region”.
This large-scale event, brought together more than 800 stakeholders, providing a unique platform for leaders from government, political parties, business, academia and civil society to discuss cooperation possibilities and growth initiatives in the Baltic Sea Region.
The agenda focused on growth and competitiveness in the Baltic Sea Region, with the spotlight on infrastructure development and investment projects, not least public-private co-operation. To become smarter and greener, public-private partnerships are essential. By improving framework conditions, these partnerships’ can for instance help to focus and optimize sustainable infrastructure investment, which is key to kick-starting wider economic growth in the Region, benefitting the European economy at large.

The speakers at the Connecting Europe – Smart and Green Partnerships event reflected the Baltic Sea Region’s long tradition for public-private cooperation, and anchored this tradition firmly within the Europe 2020 Strategy and the proposals for a Connecting Europe facility.