Baltic region: initiative to inforce the regional cooperation

The Council reiterated the Union's interest in cooperation in the Baltic region. It took note of the preparations under way for the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Baltic Sea Council to be held in Visby (Sweden) on 3 and 4 May 1996. The Swedish delegation, currently holding the Presidency of the Baltic Sea Council, briefed Ministers on the topics to be discussed at the Visby Conference. The Commission briefed the Council on progress with the regional cooperation initiative which it was currently preparing in response to the call by the European Council, meeting in Madrid, which expressed the Union's interest in promoting stability and economic development in the region. The Commission would be presenting that initiative at the Visby Conference and would subsequently report back to the Europe Council in Florence.�