Regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region—recommendations to foster a joint understanding and take action against common risks and threats

Abstract

It is in our common interest to protect and promote democracy, security, and the rule of law in the Baltic Sea Region. These are among the fundamental conditions for a fair and prosperous social and economic development. It is also in our common interest to repel the threats against our civil security. National and international security today is not just a question of an absence of military threats, but to a growing extent a transnational presence of stable democratic, political, economic, social, and infrastructural conditions. The threats against society are manifold: natural disasters, environmental degradation, political, social and infrastructural vulnerabilities, organized crime, corruption, poverty, welfare gaps, social marginalization, uneven living conditions, ideological fanaticism, etc. The threat of a confrontation with military means has all but vanished, although it has not disappeared entirely. Take organized crime as an example: Organized crime is growing and eating its way into society’s fabric. It is evident in the detestable trafficking in human beings, in the narcotics trade, in the recurrent corruption scandals, and in many other ways. Organized crime undermines the security and safety of the citizens. It corrodes the legal and administrative foundation of society. It distorts the free function of the market mechanisms. It corrupts politics. Organized crime is, therefore, a fundamental threat against freedom and democracy. Civil security requires a comprehensive assessment of threats and risks, which includes everything from nonintentional to intentional threats. It is also a matter of developing and adapting new means of prevention and response, in which the combined resources of society are prepared for various scenarios. Not least, civil security is a question of safeguarding the principles, functions, and institutions of the open and democratic society, while concurrently strengthening the security and Asia Eur J (2010) 8:267–269 DOI 10.1007/s10308-010-0267-6