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+ It's a voliuitary, proactive network mobilizłng the shared potential of over 100 member cities for democratic, economic, social, cultural and environmentally sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region.

Aims: the development of cooperation and exchange of experience, representing the interests of member cities to regional, govemmental and European governments, establishing closer cooperation with the EU institutions, EU expansion to the east

4.    Conference of Pcripherial Maritime Regions (CPMR)

Formed in 1973, causes: Disparities in competitiveness between die central part of Europę and its peripheries, Need for greater involvement of the Regions in European integration

largest association of regions in Europę ^ operates both as a think tank and as a lobby for Regions 160 regions from 28 countries

^ Activities: Social, economic and territorial cohesion, Transport, agriculture and rural development, Research and Innovation, Employment and social inclusion, Integrated Maritime Policy, Energy and climate change, Neighbourhood and development, Govemance

5.    Baltic Sea States Stikrcgional Cooperation (BSSSC)

Founded in Stavanger, Norway, 1993

Subregional cooperation: political network for decentralised authorities (subregions) in the Baltic Sea Region

Participants are regional authorities (level direedy below die national level authorities) of the 10 Baltic Sea littoral States: Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Latvia, Lit Imania, Estonia and Russia.

+ Aims are strengthen cooperation between the Baltic region and the development of contacts between tlieir citizens

It serves as a forum for the exchange of experiences and the "point of contact" for authorities of die member regions

Activities:    Cohesion policy, Energy and climate, Maritime policy, Northern

Dimension, Transport and infrastructure

6.    Baltic Islands Network (B7)

Began in 1989.

The B7 is a co-operation of die 7 largest islands in the Baltic Sea from 5 different countries

^ Partners: Bomholm (Denmark), Godand (Sweden), Hiiumaa (Estonia), Riigen (Germany), Saaremaa (Estonia), Aland (autonomous region of Finland), Oland (Sweden).

The B7 aims to use its strengths to promote the strategie goals of the islands. The B7 islands believe that they can better serve die interests of die islanders and acliieve morę as a co-operation dian alone

Activides: energy - systemadc monitoring of the development in energy consumption, to improve maritime safety by integradng and bringing forward local and regional perspectives (e.g. Safe Transportation at Sea).