Subtitle:

Europa XXI 38 (2020)

Publisher:

IGiPZ PAN

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Description:

29 cm

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Abstract:

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, that celebrates this year in Gdańsk its tenth anniversary, has been considered by many scholars and the decision makers as the model example of the soft governance that has gained in importance in the enlarged European Union (EU). The paper analyses the achievements and shortcomings of the Strategy from economic perspective with focus on externalities, public goods (also club goods, common-pool resources), economies of scale and scope and transaction costs. Two cases: Single Market for services and innovation spillovers are discussed more in depth. The analysis of these challenges and opportunities as well as the performance of the Strategy in the past and comparative analysis of its various evaluations allow authors to formulate several assumptions that should save the Strategy for the future. Their essence is related to mainstreaming of the Strategy into the EU and national policies (ensuring its stronger policy impact), strengthening strategic, visionary approach of the Strategy (e.g. facilitating large Baltic projects), better alignment with the business sector activities (understanding and addressing this sector expectations towards macro-regional co-operation) and acknowledgement of macro-regional solidarity as a foundation of the common efforts. Without all these, the Strategy might follow the case of the Baltic Development Forum that ceased to exist despite its evident positive effects for the entire region. Soft governance is difficult but promising as an alternative to the overgrowing sentiments towards centralisation. Thus, to avoid the impression of the “Titanic ball” Gdańsk celebrations should provide a new start instead of the business as usual and manifestation of shallow self-satisfaction.

References:

Bengtsson, R. (2009). An EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: good intentions meet complex challenges.European Policy Analysis, 9, Stockholm, SE: SIEPS.
Bengtsson, R. (2012). The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region in 2012 - implementation challenges. Baltic Rim Economies Quarterly Review, 1, 27.
Böhme, K., & Martin, D. (2019). Territorial Fragmentation: A Major European Challenge. Territorial Thinkers' Briefing, 5, Luxembourg, LU: Territorial Thinkers. Retrieved from https://territorialthinkers.eu/files/territorial_theme/Downloads/TT%20brief%20V-190430Final.pdf
Böhme, K., Lüer, C., & Toptsidou, M. (2019). Towards a European Geography of Future Perspectives: A Story of Urban Concentration. In E. Medeiros (Ed.), Territorial Cohesion: The Urban Dimension (pp. 173-191). Cham, CH: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03386-6_9
Böhme, K., Toptsidou, M., Holstein, F., & Martin, D. (2018). Territorial Cooperation for the future of Europe, ESPON contribution to the debate on Cohesion Policy post 2020. European Territorial Review, Luxembourg, LU: ESPON EGTC.
Böhme, K., Zillmer, S., Hans, S., Antikainen, J., & Pyykkonen, S. (2016). Looking towards 2030: Preparing the Baltic Sea Region for the future. Luxembourg, LU: Spatial Foresight.
Brodzicki, T., Umiński, S., (2017). A gravity panel data analysis of foreign trade by regions: the role of metropolises and history. Regional Studies, 52(2), 261-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2017.1296123
Carlsen, P., Danielson, A., Gretskiy, I., Łada, A., & Puglierin, J. (2018). Flexible Europe - What does it mean for the Baltic Sea Region? Copenhagen/Riga, DK/EE: Baltic Development Forum and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
CBSS (2014). Decision by the Council of the Baltic Sea States on a review of the CBSS long priorities, adopted through silent procedure on 20 June 2014. Retrieved from http://www.cbss.org/cbss-long-term-priorities/
CBSS (2016). Council of the Baltic Sea States, Annual Report for the Polish Presidency 2015-2016. Retrieved from http://www.cbss.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/annual_polish_report_online4.pdf
CBSS (2020). CBSS Vision Group Report: Vision for the Baltic Sea Region beyond 2020. Retrieved from http://www.cbss.org/council/coordination-2/#1530799638113-6e1fb7a0-aba7
CEC (2009, June 10). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions concerning the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. COM(2009) 248 Final, Brussels.
CEC (2011). European Territorial Cooperation Building Bridges between People. Luxembourg, LU: Publications Office of the European Union.
CEC (2011, June 22). Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). COM (2011) 381 Final. Brussels.
CEC (2014, July 23). Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning. O.J. EU, L 257/135.
CEC (2015). Territorial Cooperation in Europe. A Historical perspective. Luxembourg, LU: Publications Office of the European Union.
CEC (2016). Commission staff working document accompanying the document "Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies". SWD(2016) 443 Final, Brussels.
CEC (2017). Commission staff working document European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Action Plan. SWD(2017) 118 Final, Brussels.
CEC (2018). Study on Macroregional Strategies and their Links with Cohesion Policy. Luxembourg, LU: Publications Office of the European Union.
Deike, P. (2000). Center-Periphery Dynamics in the New Europe and Their Impact on Transport Infrastructure Planning in the Baltic Sea Region. Department of Urban Planning and Policy Development Rutgers University.
Dijkstra, L., Poelman, H., & Rodríguez-Pose, A. (2018). The Geography of EU Discontent. Working Papers, 12/2018, Luxembourg, LU: Publications Office of the European Union. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/work/2018_02_geog_discontent.pdf
Dubois, A., Hedin, S., Schmitt, P., & Sterling, J. (2009). EU Macro-regions and macro-regional strategies - a scoping study. Nordregio Electronic Working Paper, 4, Stockholm, SE: Nordregio.
Dühr, S. (2011). Baltic Sea, Danube and macro-regional strategies - a model for transnational cooperation in the EU? Notre Europe Study and Research, 86, Paris, FR: Notre Europe.
Ehler, C., Zaucha, J., Gee, K. (2019). Maritime/Marine Spatial Planning at the interface of research and practice. In: J. Zaucha, & K. Gee (Eds.), Maritime Spatial Planning, past, present, future (pp. 1-21). London, Cham, GB, CH: Palgrave. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98696-8_1
ESPON (2007). Cross-Border Cooperation. Cross-Thematic Study of INTERREG and ESPON activities. Luxembourg, LU: INTERACT & ESPON.
ESPON (2012). KIT Knowledge, Innovation, Territory Applied Research. Final Report. Luxembourg, LU: ESPON & Politecnico di Milano.
EuroFutures (1994). Perspective for the Economic Development of the Baltic Region. Stockholm, SE: EuroFutures.
Gänzle, S. (2017). EU governance, "Experimental Union", and Baltic Sea cooperation: The case of the European Union's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Schuman Papers. Retrieved from http://www.schuman-seura.fi/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Schuman_Paper_2-2017_WEB.pdf
Gänzle, S. (2018). 'Experimental Union' and Baltic Sea cooperation: the case of the European Union's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). Regional Studies, Regional Science, 5(1), 33-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2018.1532315
Gänzle, S., & Kern, K. (2016). The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. In S. Gänzle, & K. Kern (Eds.), A 'Macro-regional' Europe in the Making. Theoretical Approaches and Empirical Evidence (pp. 123-144). Basingstoke, GB: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-50972-7_6
Gänzle, S., & Mirtl, J. (2017). Experimentalist governance in a multi-level environment. The EU's Macroregional strategies for the Baltic Sea and Danube Regions. In J. Trondal (Ed.), The rise of common political order. Institutions, public administration and transnational space (pp. 154-175). Cheltenham and Northampton, GB: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786435002.00016
Gänzle, S., & Wulf, J. J. (2014). Briefing note - The emerging core of the EU's Macro-regional governance architecture: mapping the roles, tasks and self-perceptions of Priority Area Coordinators and Horizontal Action Leaders in the EU Strategies for the Baltic Sea and the Danube Regions. ISL Working Paper, 1, Kristiansand, NO: University of Agder.
Haarich, S., Hermannek, P., & Holstein, F. (2015). Available funding sources for the implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Luxembourg, LU: Spatial Foresight.
Held, J. (2011). Aspects of territorial cohesion in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region. In J. Zaucha (Ed.), Territorial Cohesion - Baltic Sea region examples. Baltic contribution to the Revised Territorial Agenda of EU (pp. 22-25). Ecoregion Perspectives, Baltic 21 Series, 2, Gdańska, PL: Baltic 21.
Hillje, J. (2018), Return to the politically abandoned. Conversations in right-wing populist strongholds in Germany and France. Berlin, DE: Das Progressive Zentrum. Retrieved from https://www.progressives-zentrum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Return-to-the-politically-abandoned-Conversations-in-right-wing-populist-strongholds-in-Germany-and-France_Das-Progressive-Zentrum_Johannes-Hillje.pdf
Hogeforster, M. (2011). Objectives and Strategies for the Development of Crafts and SMEs in the Baltic Sea Region. Retrieved February 1, 2019 from https://books.google.pl/books?id=4yknf90QE4C&printsec-=frontcover&hl=pl#v=onepage&q&f=false
INTERACT (2013). Roles and responsibilities of the implementing stakeholders of the EUSBSR and a flagship project concept. Retrieved January 1, 2019 from https://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/action-plan?task=document.viewdoc&id=2
Jacobsen, B. P. (Ed.) (2018). BSTC Baltic Sea Tourism Center. State of the Tourism Industry in the Baltic Sea Region - 2018 Edition. Stralsund, DE: Stralsund University of Applied Sciences. Retrieved January 31, 2019 from https://bstc.eu/fileadmin/bstc.eu/Downloads/Final_Report_Tourism_Industry_in_BSR_2018.pdf
Jetoo, S. (2018). Experimentalist Governance to Foster Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region: A Focus on the Turku Process. Sustainability, 10, 2685. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082685
Karlsson, M. (2004).Transnational Relations in the Baltic Sea Region. Södertörn Academic Studies 21, Huddinge, SE: Södertörns högskola.
KEEP (n.d.). Keep. EU project database. Retrieved January 31, 2019 from http://www.keep.eu
Ketels, C. (2009). State of the region report 2009, Copenhagen/Helsinki: Baltic Development Forum in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Investment Bank.
Ketels, C., Pedersen, H. J., & Olsson M. (2017). State of the Region Report. The Top of Europe - A Competitive Baltic Sea Region Ready for the Future? Copenhagen, DK: Baltic Development Forum in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Kukk, M., Jervell, S., & Joenniemi, P. (Eds.) (1992). The Baltic Sea Area - A region in the making. Oslo, NO: The Baltic Institute.
McMaster, I., & van der Zwet, A. (2016). Macro-regions and the European Union: the role of cohesion policy. In S. Gänzle, & K. Kern (Eds.) A 'Macro-regional' Europe in the Making. Theoretical Approaches and Empirical Evidence (pp. 47-71). Basingstoke, GB: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-50972-7_3
Medeiros, E. (2018). Should EU cross-border cooperation programmes focus mainly on reducing border obstacles. Documents d'Analisi Geografica, 64(3), 467-491. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/dag.517
Mirwaldt, K., McMaster, I., & Bachtler, J. (2011). The Concept of Macro-Regions: Practice and Prospects. European Policy Research Paper, 76, Glasgow, GB: EPRC University of Strathclyde.
Nazarczuk, J., Umiński, S. (2018). The impact of special economic zones on export behaviour: evidence from Polish firm-level data. Ekonomie a Management, 21(3), 4-22. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2018-3-001
OECD (2016). The Ocean Economy in 2030. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264251724-en
Poland (2015). Priorytety polskiej prezydencji w Radzie Państw Morza Bałtyckiego. Retrieved January 26, 2019 from https://www.msz.gov.pl/pl/polityka_zagraniczna/baltyk/prezydencja/priorytety/
Rodríguez-Pose, A. (2018). The revenge of the places that don't matter (and what to do about it). Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 11(1), 189-209. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsx024
Samecki, P. (2009). Macro-regional strategies in the EU. A Discussion Paper presented by Commissioner Paweł Samecki in Stokholm on 18 September 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2018 from https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/archive/cooperate/baltic/pdf/macroregional_strategies_2009.pdf
ScanBalt Report (2013). Smart Growth: Bridging Academia and SMEs in the Baltic Sea Region. Retrieved January 31, 2019 from http://scanbalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Smart-Growth-BridgingAcademia-and-SMEs-in-the-Baltic-Sea-Region.pdf
Schultz-Zehden, A., Weig, B., & Lukic, I. (2019). Maritime Spatial Planning and the EU's Blue Growth Policy: Past, present and future perspectives. In J. Zaucha, & K. Gee (Eds.), Maritime Spatial Planning,past, present, future (pp 121-150). London, Cham, GB, CH: Palgrave. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98696-8_6
Schymik, C. (2011). Blueprint for a macro-region. EU Strategies for the Baltic Sea and Danube Regions. SWP Research Paper, Berlin, DE: German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Schymik, C. (2012). The Baltic Sea Region: Who cooperates with whom and why? In N. Bellini, & U. Hilpert (Eds.), Europe's changing geography. The impact of inter-regional networks (pp. 67-80). London, GB: Routledge.
Schymik, C., & Krumrey, P. (2009). EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region. Core Europe in the northern periphery? SWP Working Paper, Berlin, DE: German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Scott, J. W. (1998). VASAB 2010: Developing geo-governance structure for a new Baltic regionalism. In W. Toczyski (Ed.), Competition and co-operation of the Baltic regions of Denmark, Germany and Poland (pp. 75-77). Sopot, PL: Rządowe Centrum Studiów Strategicznych.
Statistiska Centralbyran (1993). The Baltic Region. Statistics on resources, environment and economy. Stockholm, SE: Statistiska Centralbyran.
Tillväxtverket (2016). The Baltic Sea Region Strategy for Beginners. Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. Retrieved January 5, 2019 from https://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/news-room/documents-materials?task=document.viewdoc&id=26
Toptsidou, M., & Böhme, K. (2018). EUSBSR after 2020: Governance remastered? Final report. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Interreg Baltic Sea Region, Publication for the preparation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 9th Annual Forum. Retrieved from https://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/attachments/article/591006/EUSBSR-after2020_Governance-Remastered_FinalReport.pdf
Toptsidou, M., Böhme, K., Gløersen, E., Haarich, S., & Hans, S. (2017). Added value of macro-regional strategies. Project and programme perspective. Final report of the study. Interact Programme. Retrieved from http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/20182/198909/Added+value+of+the+macroregional+strategies+for+projects+and+programmes/adefa20c-8b5d-48c8-8690-1e8fdd2570cc
Umiński, S. (2012). Rozważania nad naturą, przyczynami oraz konkurencyjnością działalności eksportowej w ujęciu regionalnym dla Polski. Gdańsk, PL: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego.
UN ASD (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015 (UN A/RES/70/1). Retrieved January 26, 2019 from http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E
UN SDG (2015). UN Sustainable Development Goals, Knowledge Platform. Retrieved January 26, 2019 from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=130
Varjopuro, R., Soininen, N., Kuokkanen, T., Aps, R., Matczak, M., & Danilova, L. (2015). Communiqué on the results of the research on blue growth in the selected international projects aimed at enhancement of maritime spatial planning in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). Bulletin of the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk, 30(1), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.5604/12307424.1172641
Zaucha, J. (1997). INTERREG II C in the Baltic Sea Region. Baltic Cities Bulletin, 1.
Zaucha, J. (1998). VASAB 2010 Transnational Co-operation in the Spatial Development of the Baltic Sea Region. In U. Graute (Ed.), Sustainable Development for Central and Eastern Europe. Spatial Development in the European Context (pp. 163-179). Berlin, Heidelberg, DE: Springer-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72048-2_11
Zaucha, J. (2007). Rola przestrzeni w kształtowaniu relacji gospodarczych. Ekonomiczne fundamenty planowania przestrzennego w Europie Bałtyckiej. Gdańsk, PL: Uniwersytet Gdański.
Zaucha, J. (2009). Factors influencing Integration of the Baltic Sea region. With special Focus on the spatial and economic Dimension. In H. Reiter, & J. Zweynert (Eds.), Economic Styles in the Process of EU Eastern Enlargement (pp.261-292). Schriftenreihe des Europa-Kollegs Hamburg zur Integrationsforschung, 58, Hamburg, DE: Nomos. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783845217758-259
Zaucha, J. (2010). Od strategii VASAB do strategii Unii Europejskiej dla Regionu Bałtyckiego. Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego, Ekonomiczne Problemy Usług, 589, 115-137.
Zaucha, J. (2013). Programming development of the Baltic Sea Region. In T. Kudłacz, & D. Woźniak (Eds.), Programming regional development in Poland. Theory and practice (pp. 177-190). Studies of Polish Academy of Science, Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning, 35, Warsaw, PL: Polish Academy of Sciences Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning.
Zaucha, J. (2014). Sea basin maritime spatial planning: A case study of the Baltic Sea region and Poland. Marine Policy, 50, 34-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2014.05.003
Zaucha, J. (2014). The Key to governing the fragile Baltic Sea. Maritime Spatial Planning in the Baltic Sea Region and Way Forward. Riga, EE: VASAB.
Zaucha, J. (2018). Gospodarowanie przestrzenią morską. Warszawa, PL: Sedno.
Zaucha, J., & Fischer, H. (2009). Spatial vision and strategies around the Baltic Sea Region. Informationen zur Raumentwicklung, 8/9, 621-628.
Zaucha, J., & Goermar W. (1998). INTERREG II C and Spatial Development of the Baltic Sea Region. Retrived January 1, 2019 from http://www.geo.ut.ee/nbc/paper/zaucha.htm
Zaucha, J., & Matczak, M. (2007). Report on Good Practices within BSR INTERREG III B and II C. Retrieved January 6, 2019 from http://commin.org/upload/Workpackage_3/Good_Practices_BSR_INTERREG.pdf
Zaucha, J., & Szydarowski, W. (2005). Transnational Co-operation and its Contribution to Spatial Development and EU Enlargement. The Case of INTERREG III B In Northern Poland. Informationen zur Raumentwicklung, 11/12, 731-740.
Zaucha, J., & Török, L. (2011). A Balti-stratégia mint a makroregionális egyűttműködés elsö példája. Területi Statisztika, 14(51), 644-655.

Relation:

Europa XXI

Volume:

38

Start page:

51

End page:

76

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Format:

File size 1,0 MB ; application/octet-stream

Resource Identifier:

oai:rcin.org.pl:72539 ; 1429-7132 (print) ; 10.7163/Eu21.2020.38.1

Source:

CBGiOŚ. IGiPZ PAN, call nos.: Cz.6406, Cz.6407 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng

Language of abstract:

eng

Rights:

Creative Commons Attribution BY 4.0 license

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. [CC BY 4.0] May be used within the scope specified in Creative Commons Attribution BY 4.0 license, full text available at: ; -

Digitizing institution:

Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Central Library of Geography and Environmental Protection. Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization PAS

Projects co-financed by:

Operational Program Digital Poland, 2014-2020, Measure 2.3: Digital accessibility and usefulness of public sector information; funds from the European Regional Development Fund and national co-financing from the state budget.

Access:

Open