EU urged to give boost to Baltic states

The EU has been urged to give a fresh impetus to stalled efforts to breathe new life in the Baltic region.

Aigars Stokenbergs, former Latvian economy minister, says he is looking to Brussels to give “new emphasis” to the so-called Baltic Sea strategy.

Speaking during a one-day visit to Brussels, he said there has been “little progress” on a parliamentary report on the strategy which was presented to the commission last year.

The strategy provides a blueprint for economic regeneration in Latvia and other countries in the region, such as Sweden and Finland.

Stokenbergs, who harbours hopes of becoming his country's next prime minister, delivered his blunt message in a meeting on Tuesday with EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

Stokenbergs also held a separate meeting with senior officials from regional policy commissioner Danuta Hubner's office, in which he called on the EU to commit itself to a “fully-fledged” cohesion policy after 2013.

Stokenbergs, also a former Latvian regional development minister, said, “Latvia is a good example of what can be achieved with structural funds.”

The 46-year-old MP plans to launch a new political party in May and said he hopes it will contest next year’s European elections.

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