President Halonen and Prime Minister Vanhanen's letter to the heads of state and heads of government of the countries bordering the Baltic Sea

As an eventful 2007 approaches its end, we would like to draw your attention to our shared sea, the Baltic. For centuries, it has linked our nations culturally, economically and politically. With rapid economic growth in the Baltic Sea region, the ties it represents are today perhaps stronger than ever.

The Baltic Sea is the pride and joy of all the countries which border it, yet all of us have caused it much harm through our actions. The Baltic Sea has become very polluted very quickly and now has the dubious reputation of being the most polluted sea in the world.

There are many bodies in the Baltic Sea region engaging in great and good work. Several programmes and recommendations have been approved, most recently the ambitious plan of action of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), which aims to restore the Baltic Sea to a good ecological state by 2021. Any programme, however good, has to be backed up by strong political commitment and a will to cooperate in order to be successful.

We believe that you share our concern about the present state and the future of the Baltic Sea. We hope that we can work together to save the sea and to put into practice the programmes that we have all approved.

We have sent this letter to all the heads of state and heads of government of the countries bordering the Baltic Sea.

We would like to wish you all a Happy New Year 2008!


Tarja Halonen
President of the Republic of Finland

Matti Vanhanen
Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland