Investment in Research and Development are highly important to manage and foster the success of the Baltic Sea area in the field of innovation. This is one of the core results of the study “Future of the Baltic Sea: potential and challenges” lead by the Hamburg Institute for World Economy on the instructions of the Chamber of Commerce of Hamburg, the European Movement Germany and the German Federal Foreign Office. The results of this study will be presented at four conferences during the next month; each focusing on one particular theme. The opening session dealing with the topic of innovative power was held at the Embassy of Finland in Germany on Thursday, 3rd March.  

S.E Harry Helenius, Ambassador of Finland in Berlin, launched this event with an official welcoming speech before more than 80 guests.

Rainer Steenblock, Member of EM Germany’s Board, underlined the significance of the Baltic Sea for the European Integration.  

Dr. Silvia Stiller, author of the study, highlighted that especially the investment in Research and Development are an indicator for achievements in innovation. Moreover the cross-border integration as the number of patents per annum plays a great role for this success. Unlike Finland, Denmark and Sweden, Germany is only found in the midfield, what emphasises that the unused potential has to be used.
With regard to the aim of the European Union concerning the energy savings, which stipulate a 20% saving of CO2 consumption until 2020, the Baltic Sea area can play a key rule in the field of renewable energy with its off- and onshore wind farms for securing innovative power in the global competition.     

Ristio E.J. Penttilä, Managing Director of the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland, gave insights on the Finish perspective concerning the future of the Baltic Sea area. In a provocative way, he pointed at the differences between a turbulent Mediterranean Sea area and a Baltic Sea area embodying stability. This point of view was discussed and also criticized by some people in a final Q&A Session. The discussion also dealt with Russia and its position in the Baltic Sea area. Furthermore Germany’s future (leading) position was discussed as well.
Here you will find the study “Future of the Baltic Sea: potential and challenges” (in German).  EM Germany launched also an online column on the Baltic Sea Network with the main results of the study illustrated by charts and diagrams. This column can be followed here.